NAVHDA YOUTH DRIVE

Ryah and her Griff Kruz

Phil Swain, the Northwest Regional Representative for NAVHDA's Executive Council, has contacted the chapter and asked to make us aware of current Youth Membership Drive at the International level, as well as inform us on the fundraising efforts on its behalf.  As Youth Participation is a Sharptail Chapter priority, we should discuss how we can participate in this effort in a meaningful way...........Below is the info Phil has provided:

Hi to all,

    Please make sure the following information makes it on to your web sites and into your newsletters.  Although many of us have already had our annual meeting for the year, I highly recommend you print up the following message from NAVHDA leadership and have copies available at your training days or other chapter activities.  Some chapters who have a little extra cash in the treasury could really help this program by making a cash donation to the Youth program in NAVHDA.  These youngsters are the future in keeping an activity we all love alive and growing.

Thanks, Phil

Donations for Junior Member Welcome Packet

We are all aware of the declining number of new hunters over the past decade or so. Many

conservation organizations have taken steps to increase the number of youth hunters, and NAVHDA is no exception.  NAVHDA has a special membership option for youngsters, the Junior (or youth) membership. We are very proud to say that over that past two years our Junior membership has increased by 65%!  NAVHDA leadership believes this increase in membership is due, in large part, to the Youth issue of the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine (VHD).  This issue, produced annually, is one of the magazines largest issues.  The Youth issue features articles and pictures provided, almost exclusively, by Youth members.

The success of the Youth issue has been very encouraging and NAVHDA leadership wants to facilitate even more growth.  Therefore, the August Youth issue will contain conservation, hunting, safety and dog‐geared crossword puzzles, word find and other features that will be youth oriented.  Additionally, the VHD is focusing on incorporating these types of Youth‐focused segments once per quarter rather than once per year.

Two years ago NAVHDA began giving all new Junior members a welcome packet. Sponsors and other interested members have given products, such as leashes, water bottles, training dummies, collars, books, dog care items, whistles, lanyards, hats, and so on for the welcome gift.  Additionally,  NAVHDA gives each new junior member a T‐shirt. The program has been so successful that it’s been a challenge to keep enough items in stock to give a robust welcome pack. 

We are asking our chapters and general membership to help support our Youth members and youth membership drive. If you cannot donate an item (s), you can provide funds in the form of a check and the Central Office will purchase items on your behalf.   Checks for the Youth Membership drive should include that as a memo note on the check and will be exclusively used towards purchasing items for the Welcome Packets.

This investment in encouraging Youth to join NAVHDA will, we believe, will help build a strong foundation for a long‐term commitment to NAVHDA and hunting. Creating positive, welcoming, first impressions you and your chapter can foster will last a life‐time.  NAVHDA leadership is asking all chapters or individual members to submit donations to support the Youth membership program.  Chapters and members may submit money or items appropriate for our youngest members.  Please join us in saying to these young people “Welcome to NAVHDA.”

All donations should be sent to the Central Office and noted “For Youth Welcome Packet.” Your leadership is counting on your support.