Dec 2013 Newsletter

OUR CHAPTER 2012-2013
ACHIEVEMENTS
Through the 2012/2013 year the SCI – Drayton Valley
Chapter experienced great successes and attained
huge goals in support of SCI’s mission toward hunting
conservation, education and humanitarian endeavors.
One of our most memorable occasions was the privilege
of being awarded the 2012 Chapter Top Gun Award,
Chapter of the Year, 2012 Top Membership Retention
and Growth, as well as an additional Publication Award
for our Chapter quarterly newsletter.
In the previous year our Chapter worked in partnership
with a few other SCI Canada Chapters on a Wounded
Warriors Program initiative where we contributed
$500 toward the cause to send two wounded soldiers
on an Alberta Whitetail Hunt.
In support of SCIs Lion’s Defense Fund strategy, our
Chapter was honoured to contribute $5,000 toward
this Fund at the SCI Convention in Reno.
We continue our pride and commitment toward our
major humanitarian project; our Fishing Dock for
seniors residing within care centres and individuals
with disabilities. Our local Board and Chapter
members have contributed in excess of 900 volunteer
hours toward the operation and maintenance of the
dock this year. Over the summer months we have
been very fortunate to have a variety of user groups
visit the dock, with some seniors groups travelling
from two hours away to visit our facility and enjoy the
benefits it has to offer. In total this summer we have
had over 415 individuals visit the dock!
In support of SCIFs missions on a global scale, our
Chapter was extremely pleased to be involved in the
delivery of three Blue Bags this past year. One was
sent to a children’s hospital in Haiti while two others
were sent again through our affiliation with Hearts of
Lushoto, which is a local community organization we
have partnered with for a number of years.
As part of our commitment to sustain our hunting
heritage and providing our youth the opportunity to
enjoy the great outdoors, we facilitated a youth hunter
training program in April 2013 within our community
of Drayton Valley free of charge to youth 17 years
of age and under, with 13 youth participants and (3)
volunteers from our Board of Directors.
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The Drayton Valley Chapter of Safari Club International
is very proud to continue their support of the National
Archery in Schools Program (NASP). Over the past
year we provided financial support to train 18 local
teachers. 450 students participated in the program
over the last school year which is offered in seven
(7) local schools. Drayton Valley is easily on its way
to being one of the most involved and recognized
NASP communities in Alberta. This upcoming year
we will also be working with another local school in
obtaining an archery kit. In the past year our Chapter
committed $40,000 toward the NASP program. It
is our hope that this program brings a new level of
enjoyment to those students who may not have had
the chance to shoot target archery equipment, and
that our local youth’s participation in the program may
spark an enjoyment for the outdoors and all that it has
to offer! Our goal is that this outdoor educational
opportunity will impact children for years to come
and raise awareness for Safari Club International and
its educational efforts. The NASP Program is a great
addition to our educational system and we hope it
brings great enjoyment to all involved! Enclosed
please find copies of feature articles within our local
paper, and a photo collage.
We also undertook some publicity initiatives this year
that brought SCI awareness to the forefront. This
included a local billboard advertising campaign. The
objective of this billboard was to raise awareness of
SCI within the community and as a whole, to direct
individuals to the SCI website, and to promote a good
image of hunting and family in the outdoors.
Over the past year our conservation projects have
focused on the collaring of two (2) black bears to
study their numbers in our area, their range area,
and to monitor their direct link with the mortality of
moose and elk calves.
We thank all of our members and supporters for
your part in aiding us to achieve these goals. We look
forward with anticipation as to what the year ahead
with hold for the SCI – Drayton Valley Chapter.