TROUT UNLIMITED 2016 ANNUAL MEETING 1777 N. KENT ST., STE 100 ARLINGTON, VA 22209 WWW.TU.ORG BOZEMAN, MONTANA SEPT. 28 OCT. 1, 2016
MISSION To conserve, protect and restore North America s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. VISION By the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.
COVER PHOTO - R. CHAD CHORNEY PHOTOGRAPHY TU was founded in 1959 in Grayling, Michigan on the banks of the Au Sable River by a group of anglers united in their love of trout fishing. They successfully sought to change the state s reliance on hatchery trout into a program that focused on protecting and restoring fish habitat through a volunteer chapter structure. Today, TU is the nation s largest grassroots coldwater conservation organization. We are guided by the principle that if we take care of the fish, the fishing will take care of itself. And that principle was grounded in science. TU has over 150,000 members who are organized into more than 400 local chapters and councils that regularly volunteer more than 675,000 hours per year on local restoration projects, educating youth in environmental stewardship and engaging state and local decision makers. The national organization has 200 staff and a $50 million dollar budget to execute conservation across the U.S.
THANK YOU! The 2016 TU Annual Meeting would not have been possible without the hard work and support of so many TU members and volunteers from the 024 - Madison-Gallatin Chapter and across the state of Montana. Thank you for being incredible hosts! 2016 ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE MEETING COORDINATOR: Harry Murphy HOSTED FISHING: Dave Kumlien CONSERVATION TOUR: Patrick Byorth & Laura Ziemer HOSPITALITY SUITE: Tom Anacker SPOUSES TOUR: Sharon Sweeney Fee FUNDRAISING: Kris Kumlien 024 - MADISON-GALLATIN PRESIDENT: Philip Naro MONTANA COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAIR: Chris Schustrom NLC REPRESENTATIVE: Dan Short EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Bruce Farling
TU TRAININGS: KEEP THE LEARNING GOING Thank you for being such a committed volunteer leader! Please join us throughout the year for in-person regional meetings, online webinar trainings and more to keep the learning going! TU volunteer leader trainings are a great way to increase your knowledge, access new resources and learn the tips, tactics and tools to take your chapter or council to the next level. Led by staff members as well as fellow volunteers, these trainings run the gamut of topics. Find and register for upcoming trainings and events online at www.tu.org/training Oct. 11 Filing Chapter Financial Reports, IRS Forms and More Oct. 13 Growing Your Impact Through Strategic Planning Oct. 20 Learning from TU's Youth Leadership Council Oct. 25 Engaging Non-Anglers as Volunteers & Supporters Nov. 9 New Chapter Leader Orientation Nov. 10 New Council Leader Orientation Feb. 23 Serving as the Youth Education Coordinator March TBD Upper Midwest Regional Meeting Iowa April 21-23 Southeast Regional Meeting Tennessee April 28-30 Western Regional Meeting Arizona May TBD Northeast Regional Meeting New Jersey Sept. 27-30 2017 Annual Meeting Roanoke, Virginia
WILLSON SCHOOL EMERSON BAXTER THE LARK ELEMENT MAP OF BOZEMAN Meetings held in the Baxter Hotel, Element Hotel, Emerson Center for the Arts and the Willson School Lewis & Clark Motel is just west off the map at 824 W Main Street. Best Western GranTree Inn at 1325 N 7th Ave is not within walking distance of the other meeting venues in downtown Bozeman.
MEETING AGENDA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ALL DAY REGISTRATION ELEMENT 7:30 AM 4:30 PM HOSTED FISHING MEET AT ELEMENT LOBBY BY 7:30 AM (Incurs $50 fee, includes boxed lunch) 7:30 PM 9:30 PM OPTIONAL NO HOST DINNER MONTANA ALE WORKS 611 E MAIN ST THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 ALL DAY REGISTRATION ELEMENT 8:30 AM 5:00 PM CONSERVATION TOUR MEET AT ELEMENT LOBBY BY 8:00AM (Incurs $25 fee, includes boxed lunch) 5:00 PM 6:00 PM SIMMS COCKTAIL RECEPTION SIMMS HEADQUARTERS 177 GARDEN DR 6:00 PM 7:15 PM NO HOST DINNER FOOD TRUCKS OUTSIDE EMERSON THEATER 7:15 PM 9:00 PM FLY FISHING FILM TOUR EMERSON THEATER (TU members free Non-members $17.50) 10:00 PM HOSPITALITY SUITE BAXTER, EAST MEZZANINE SUITE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 ALL DAY REGISTRATION EMERSON VENDOR TABLES EMERSON FILM SHOWCASE EMERSON THEATER 7:00 AM 8:15 AM 8:45 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM BREAKFAST WELCOME FROM CHRIS WOOD AND GOV. STEVE BULLOCK EMERSON BALLROOM NLC WORKGROUP MEETINGS GREAT LAKES EMERSON WEAVER ROOM WESTERN NATIVE TROUT ELEMENT YELLOWSTONE/GLACIER ROOM DELAWARE RIVER BAXTER MAIN BALLROOM NEW INITIATIVES BAXTER PETITE BALLROOM LAND CONSERVANCY WILLSON SCHOOL LIBRARY 217A BREAK 10:30 AM 11:45 PM NLC WORKGROUP MEETINGS ACCESS EMERSON WEAVER ROOM YOUTH EDUCATION ELEMENT YELLOWSTONE/GLACIER ROOM DIVERSITY INITIATIVE BAXTER MAIN BALLROOM RESPONSIBLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT BAXTER PETITE BALLROOM DRIFTLESS AREA RESTORATION EFFORT WILLSON SCHOOL LIBRARY 217A
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 12:15 PM 1:15 PM 1:30 PM 5:30 PM GRASSROOTS LUNCHEON EMERSON BALLROOM STREAM KIDS: ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CONSERVATIONISTS OFFSITE EMAIL TGRANKE@TU.ORG 1:45 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM NLC WORKGROUP MEETINGS COMMUNICATIONS EMERSON WEAVER ROOM GRASSROOTS ELEMENT YELLOWSTONE/GLACIER ROOM TAILWATERS BAXTER MAIN BALLROOM CLIMATE CHANGE BAXTER PETITE BALLROOM BREAK NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING BAXTER GRAND BALLROOM BREAK 6:00 PM 7:30 PM NO HOST COCKTAIL HOUR EMERSON BALLROOM & LOBBY 7:30 PM 10:00 PM VOLUNTEER AWARDS BANQUET EMERSON BALLROOM 10:00 PM HOSPITALITY SUITE BAXTER, EAST MEZZANINE SUITE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 ALL DAY REGISTRATION EMERSON 7:00 AM 8:30 AM BREAKFAST EMERSON BALLROOM 8:45 AM 10:45 AM ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING EMERSON THEATER STATE OF TU Chris Wood, President and CEO FINANCIAL UPDATE Matt Renaud, CFO STATE OF GRASSROOTS Mick McCorcle, NLC Chair BOARD BUSINESS Jim Asselstine, Chair of the Board 10:45 AM BREAK 11:00 AM 11:45 AM 11:45 AM 1:00 PM 1:15 PM 2:30 PM WILD TROUT PLENARY SESSION EMERSON THEATER - WILD TROUT: A MONTANA FISH STORY - HOW WILD TROUT SAVED CIVILIZATION - A QUARTER CENTURY OF WILD TROUT MANAGEMENT IN THE BLACKFOOT RIVER LUNCHEON WITH HANK PATTERSON EMERSON BALLROOM TU S CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS RESTORING STREAMS IN THE WEST EMERSON THEATER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 1:15 PM 2:30 PM TU S WILD STEELHEAD INITIATIVE EMERSON WEAVER ROOM 2:30 PM BREAK 3:00 PM 4:30 PM COUNCIL CHAIR MEETING EMERSON THEATER 3:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM PUBLIC LANDS BELONG TO ALL: PROTECTING OUR BIRTHRIGHT AS AMERICAN LANDOWNERS EMERSON WEAVER ROOM BREAK 6:30 PM 7:30 PM COCKTAILS, HORS D OEUVRES & SILENT AUCTION EMERSON BALLROOM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM BANQUET, MORTENSON AWARD & LIVE AUCTION AND RAFFLE EMERSON BALLROOM 10:00 PM HOSPITALITY SUITE BAXTER, EAST MEZZANINE SUITE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 9:00 AM WOMEN & DIVERSITY INITIATIVE NO HOST BRUNCH & FISHING OUTING OFFSITE EMAIL JYATES@TU.ORG
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL CONSERVATION WORKGROUPS (Open to all TU Members & Guests) GREAT LAKES Focuses on various Great Lakes issues, including aquatic invasive species, coaster brook trout, water quality and quantity issues. WESTERN NATIVE TROUT Facilitates native trout restoration across the West, with emphasis on Yellowstone Cutthroat restoration and on stream temperature monitoring. Working with Trout Unlimited science staff, the workgroup produced a stream temperature monitoring handbook to JOSH DUPLECHIAN assist chapters and councils in running local stream monitoring programs. The workgroup also serves as a resource group to assist chapters and councils in support of various conservation efforts. CLIMATE CHANGE What will the potential of a changing climate have on our coldwater resources? Climate Change, and the extent to which it is man-caused, is a divisive issue; the Climate Change Workgroup respects that and has developed an education and awareness program based upon the most up-to-date scientific background provided by TU staff and others. With adequate scientific understanding, concerns about the impacts to our coldwater fishery resources should be shared by all conservationists and anglers. The workgroup strives to continue the education campaign and to work with partners on potential solutions. DELAWARE RIVER Represents TU on efforts to develop fish-protective minimum flow agreements in the Delaware River Basin.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL CONSERVATION WORKGROUPS (Open to all TU Members & Guests) TU DARE (Driftless Area Restoration Effort) Arises from TU s Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE) in the unglaciated region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, bringing together local, state and federal agencies and private conservation groups to organize and fund watershed restoration projects across the 24,000- squaremile region. RESPONSIBLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT Focuses on efforts to protect coldwater fisheries from the various modes of energy production: coal and hard rock mining; oil and gas drilling; wind; solar; and nuclear. LAND CONSERVANCY Works to assist land trusts and other conservancy groups in acquiring land and easements to protect coldwater resources and access to them. ACCESS Works to evaluate stream access laws across the country, to periodically evaluate the TU Stream Access Policy and make policy and procedure recommendations, and to develop tools for chapters and councils to use in building voluntary access acquisition programs at state and federal levels. TAILWATERS Serves to help TU volunteers advocate for salmonid populations in tailwater fisheries. The workgroup explores issues, challenges and threats to tailwater fisheries and recommends direction and actions for TU staff and volunteers to take to advocate for these waters.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL WORKGROUPS (Open to all TU Members & Guests) DIVERSITY INITIATIVE The Diversity Initiative was originally established in 2011 as the Women s Initiative, with a primary goal of helping chapters increase membership among women, help retain these members, and facilitate the development of women leaders in TU. The workgroup established a mission statement, objectives, helped coordinate women membership drives, developed Women s Initiative leadership positions at the state and local level, launched a newsletter and much more. In August 2016, the workgroup was renamed as the Diversity Initiative, and while still committed to continuing the work of the Women s Initiative will more broadly focus on achieving TU s greater future relevance by increasing diversity of TU s membership to more closely match the angling and conservation communities. COMMUNICATIONS The Communications workgroup helps to clarify and communicate the role and function of the National Leadership Council, improve and facilitate communications within the NLC and its workgroups; and encourage and foster communications to and from the NLC to chapters, councils, members, trustees and staff. GRASSROOTS The mission of the Grassroots workgroup is to continuously assess and assist effectiveness of our chapters and councils and to develop tools and resources for improvement. The workgroup helps develop new chapter models to meet TU s and our members evolving needs.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL WORKGROUPS (Open to all TU Members & Guests) YOUTH EDUCATION TU's Headwaters Youth Program helps foster a sense of respect for the natural world and engages young people in hands-on conservation projects in their home waters. Encompassing a range of programs and projects known as the Stream of Engagement, Headwaters serves children, teenagers and young adults. The Youth Education workgroup supports and helps guide these efforts by developing tools for volunteer leaders, communicating best practices and the availability of resources and building a community of youth education volunteers which can support one another with guidance and advice. The workgroup has recently launched a newsletter and developed a comprehensive job description for volunteer Youth Education Coordinators to help standardize the program across the country and make it easier for new volunteers to step into this important role. NEW INITIATIVES The New Initiatives workgroup receives and evaluates proposals for changes to the National Conservation Agenda and its Critical Focus Areas; evaluates major issues facing TU and explores potential solutions to those issues; solicits, evaluates and nominates new grassroots members of the Board of Trustees (for election by TU members); and nominates National Leadership Council officers and Embrace A Stream committee members (for election by the National Leadership Council.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS STATE OF TU AND THE GRASSROOTS Be inspired by all we have accomplished together and energized to do more in 2017! Join us for an inspiring and powerful look back at the past year and all the incredible work you have made possible through your dedication and commitment to Trout Unlimited. From the monumental projects opening hundreds and thousands of miles of river to spawning trout, steelhead and salmon to the local level projects restoring degraded streams or engaging urban kids in outdoor education, the scope and scale of our shared efforts will leave you in awe and arm you with ideas for making a bigger impact. The State of TU is a not-to-miss event at the annual meeting and is free and open to all meeting attendees, guests, local TU members and the general public. So bring your friends, fishing buddies and partners in conservation to share your passion and our mission!
WILD TROUT PLENARY SESSION Wild Trout: A Montana Fish Story Short Film Premier How Wild Trout Saved Civilization Patrick Byorth, Trout Unlimited Montana Water Director A Quarter-Century of Wild Trout Management in the Blackfoot River Big Blackfoot Chapter of TU This brief, engaging and informative session will chart the past, present and future of wild trout management in Montana and share the lessons learned and triumphs of a more than 40-year experiment of investing in habitat over hatcheries.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS PROTECTING OUR BIRTHRIGHT AS AMERICAN LANDOWNERS Land Tawney, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Executive Director Scott Laird, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Montana Field Representative Corey Fisher, TU Senior Policy Director In most western states, public lands comprise more than 70 percent of the available habitat for trout, and virtually all of the strongholds for native trout. In recent years, more than 50 bills have been introduced in state legislatures to transfer, sell, or otherwise take away the public lands and Congress has entertained similar proposals. This panel discussion will outline the pressing threat to public lands and detail how TU chapters, councils, volunteers and members can stand up and speak loudly on behalf of our birthright public lands. Visit www.tu.org/publiclands for more information, to learn how to share your #publiclandsproud story and to sign the petition.
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS AND TU: RESTORING STREAMS IN THE WEST Jon Radtke, Coca-Cola North America Water Sustainability Program Manager Greer Tidwell, Bridgestone Americas Director of Environmental Management Laura Ziemer, TU Western Water & Habitat Senior Counsel and Water Policy Advisor In this session, Laura Ziemer will guide a discussion with two leaders in the corporate sustainability world to share how TU can partner with companies on shared environmental goals. The session will review case studies such as Coca-Cola s Water Stewardship Program that seeks to replenish flows to watersheds and bring drinkable water to under-served communities. One highlighted project will be the return of flows to the chronically dewatered Sun River in Montana. This decades-long effort to build a collaborative approach to water scarcity provided a model of public-private partnerships and was a finalist in the premier of the North American River Prize in 2015. Also featured will be Bridgestone s dedication to river clean-ups, and how their free recycling Tires4ward Program to receive and recycle tires for local river clean-up efforts has already supported more than 450 community clean-up events and recycled almost 120,000 tires.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS TU S WILD STEELHEAD INITIATIVE Rob Masonis, Vice President for Western Conservation Trout Unlimited is doing top-notch work protecting, reconnecting, and restoring steelhead habitat from Alaska to California. But it takes more than just good habitat for wild steelhead to thrive responsible, informed fish management is needed so the habitat can be productive. Rob Masonis will explain TU s portfolio management concept, the rationale behind it and lessons learned in the trenches.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Hank Patterson World s Greatest Fly Fishing Guide Have you seen A River Runs Through It? Well, Hank Patterson actually owns it, two copies in fact, on BluRay disc, and you can bet he s watched it more times than you. Out of Idaho, the world s hardest place to catch a trout, comes the world s best fishing expert and guide. Ever. Bar-none. Without a doubt. Nobody Snaps it like Hank and the undoubted king of the Betty White Nymph has forgotten more about fly fishing than you ll ever learn. We are blessed to have Hank Patterson join us as the keynote speaker at our luncheon on Saturday and you ll want to get there early and not miss a single tip, tactic or pearl of wisdom. We strongly suggest you skip the coffee and iced tea because if you have to get up to use the bathroom you ll surely miss out on the most important fly fishing tip ever! Whether extolling the virtues of catching a Cuttyrainbrown, the only worthy native trout in western waters, or waxing philosophic on what it takes to be a great fly fishing guide s client, you re likely to forget almost everything you ever knew about the sport of fly fishing. So join us for an amazing meal that you ll quickly forget as you stop and listen in awe and amazement as Hank gives you the gift of his full year of experience as a fly fishing guide condensed into a 15- minute program. (He ll speak for an extra 15 minutes if someone in the crowd stands up and tosses him a cold can of PBR.) Learn more about Hank, watch some videos, buy some stickers, hoodies and hats or simply marvel at the elegance and simplicity of his website at www.hankpatterson.com.
SPONSORS CORPORATE CONSERVATION PARTNER YELLOWSTONE SPONSOR GALLATIN SPONSORS NATIONAL BEER SPONSOR FILM SPONSOR
VOLUNTEER AWARDS DINNER SPONSOR FISHING SPONSORS GIFT BAG & PRIZE SPONSORS
TROUT UNLIMITED 2016 ANNUAL MEETING 1777 N. KENT ST., STE 100 ARLINGTON, VA 22209 WWW.TU.ORG BOZEMAN, MONTANA SEPT. 28 OCT. 1, 2016