Happy New Year to the forestry profession in Colorado and Wyoming.  This will be another challenging year for forestry and all natural resource management.  We have a new administration for the nation which will mean changes in policy and direction. 

The economy is in the tank nationally and locally.  This will present some challenges, but may also present opportunities.  Legislative and congressional representatives are struggling with how to shore up the economy while providing for energy independence within environmentally sound practices.  There is debate as to what is environmentally sound.  SAF can influence the outcome of these debates.

Events in our country provide challenges and opportunities to Colorado Wyoming SAF as well.  Our members are trying to make financial ends meet, satisfy the demand on their time by ever increasing interest in the management and protection of the forest and environment by various publics, as well as meeting demands on their personal time and financial resources.  All foresters ask themselves “is the value of SAF worth my investment of time and financial resources?”

Therefore; the Colorado-Wyoming SAF must provide a good return to our members, and prospective members, from their time and financial investment in SAF.  The majority of SAF members determine the value of SAF by the effectiveness of their local chapter.    It is my belief that if Colorado-Wyoming SAF has successful chapters and committees, we will be successful at the State Society level.  We must provide a strong voice for sound management and protection of our forest resources and provide continuing professional forestry education and networking opportunities.

The Colorado-Wyoming SAF Executive Committee met on January 23^rd to set direction for the year.  The three areas of emphasis are Legislative, Communications, and Membership. I am asking each committee and chapter to develop a minimum of three goals for the year based on the three areas of emphasis stated below.

Legislation

• Support on-going legislation in Colorado, and Wyoming if forestry issues are introduced.
  

• Provide (in person) Letters of Introduction to legislators in natural resource committees in both States. In Wyoming, the WY Chapters should take the lead, as well as coordinate with Dakota and Intermountain State Societies.

• Co-sponsor the CO Legislative Open House Social this year
• Submit a Forester Fund grant request to host a social for legislators next year, inviting industry and environmental groups.

Communication

• Develop State Society points of contact with local media and legislators
  
• Develop a Communication Strategy
  
• Explore using new technologies to connect with the public
  
• Develop talking points for position statements and distribute to target audiences.
  

Membership

• Emphasize having successful chapters and committees
  
• Committees will include at least two members in addition to the committee chairs to encourage more member involvement in the State Society
  
• Each Chapter and Committee will establish two or three major goals for the year to accomplish.
  
• At the Chapter level find out what members want to do – then do it by having at least quarterly meetings.
  
• Find fun ways to hold meetings and find unique ways to communicate within State Society members.

Tom Ostermann, Chair

Colorado -Wyoming SAF

The structure of the Society is made up of:

SAF Council - The Society is governed by a Council comprising the president, vice-president, immediate past president, and 11 elected members. Chairs of the House of Society Delegates, the Forest Science and Technology Board, and the Committee on Forest Policy attend and participate in Council meetings and discussions as non-voting members.

33 State and Multistate Societies - These societies elect their own officers and committees for state and regional activities, including the Colorado-Wyoming Society.

264 Chapters - These local chapters fall within the state and multistate societies. The Colorado-Wyoming Society includes eight chapters across Colorado and Wyoming. Click here for information on our chapters and contacts.

28 Technical Working Groups - The working groups are meant to accommodate specific professional interests.