BrettAKSCI
New member
Dear Member
These are busy times for the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Please take a minute to read the attached Member Update to learn more about the organization and see what we have been doing over the last few months.
As always we are looking for new members and volunteers to help us build the organization and help it reach full potential. Please feel free to share this update letter with interested friends and hunting partners and encourage them to join the organization. We have attached a copy of the Membership Procedures to pass to your interested friends.
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in the near future.
Kevin
Kevin J Kehoe
President
Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation
Members Update
The Wild Sheep Foundation has returned to Alaska with the creation of a new non-profit corporation in December 2014 registered as the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Although the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) has continuously maintained members throughout the Last Frontier, the creation of an Alaska-based organization facilitates a much more active role in sheep hunting and management here in the State. The new organization was formally chartered by the Board of Directors of the Wild Sheep Foundation at the annual convention in January of 2015.
The initial Board of Directors elected Kevin Kehoe from Anchorage as President and Aaron Bloomquist from Tok as Vice President. Jack Atcheson Jr. of Montana is the other member of the current board.
The new organization comes with a completely new set of bylaws which requires among other things, dual membership in WSF and background checks for board members and officers. AK WSF also recently adopted an Ethics Policy which helps guide the organization in the performance of its duties.
The mission of Alaska Wild Sheep Foundations (AK WSF) is only slightly different than the parent WSF organization to give it an Alaskan focus:
“The mission of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, educate the public on wild sheep, and protect and enhance sheep hunting and viewing opportunities in Alaska.”
The purpose of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is to:
Enhance and increase the population of Dall’s sheep in Alaska and wild sheep in general.
Inform and educate the people of Alaska concerning wild sheep, their habitat, health, population, and general welfare.
Promote professional management of wild sheep with special focus on Dall’s sheep to increase the number, size and distribution of the herds; promote the use of hunting and sustainable harvest as a legitimate conservation and game management tool; achieve an optimum population of wild sheep; and safeguard against their decline or extinction.
Sponsor fund-raising events for the purpose of acquiring the necessary resources to directly benefit the Dall’s and other wild sheep.
Provide financial or direct assistance to wildlife managers for: Research projects, emergency relief, transfer of animals to new locations, inoculations or other medical assistance, and supplemental training of professional wildlife managers working with Dall sheep in Alaska.
Safeguard and improve Dall sheep habitat in Alaska.
Membership in the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is open to all persons and organizations that subscribe to the mission and purpose of AK WSF and comply with the stipulations set forth in the Bylaws, Ethics Policy, and the other AK WSF guidance documents. Dual membership is required so each member of the AK WSF must be a member in good standing of the Wild Sheep Foundation. AK WSF signed up almost 180 new members during its’ first month of operation.
AK WSF is currently looking for volunteers to create area chapters and to staff positions in the virtual headquarters and serve on various committees in conservation projects, fund raising, and legislative action. Future board members will likely be chosen from these volunteers.
Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation plans to create area chapters in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Mat-Su, and the Kenai Peninsula, although any group of hunters or volunteers who would like to be involved and conduct a fund raising event in their area are welcome to request chapter status.
AK WSF priorities over the next year include but are not limited to:
Developing solid working relationships with appropriate government agencies and
alliances with fellow sportsmen’s groups
Active participation in the ongoing sheep-focused regulatory process
Furthering the Disease Prevention Initiative in Alaska
Assisting with the re-writing of Dall Sheep Management Plans in Alaska
Efforts in the on-going sheep hunting regulatory process led us recently to clarify our position on the overall allocation process: “AK WSF strongly endorses hunting as a viable use of the resource and valuable conservation tool. However, we feel the allocation of hunting permits between resident and non-resident hunters and other parties should be left to each state or province to decide unless it negatively impacts the resource or overall hunting opportunities. We believe that combined efforts by all stake holders to increase the sheep populations would result in greater access and opportunities for all hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. AK WSF supports fact-based decision making consistent with science-based game management. As such we are happy to provide information and assistance to game management organizations that helps facilitate sound resource decisions.”
Those interested in joining the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation or current members who would like to get more involved with the conservation and fund raising efforts are asked to email [email protected].
Membership Enrollment Procedures
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) is back in Alaska! (Some of you may have been around long enough to remember the old name FNAWS which technically changed several years ago). We are pleased to announce the creation of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation (AK WSF) as a non-profit corporation established here in Alaska and chartered under the WSF.
Our Bylaws require dual membership in both the national organization (WSF) and the Alaska Organization (AK WSF). The cost is normally $45 for WSF plus $10 for AK WSF. As part of an initial membership drive we have sponsors who have generously agreed to cover the AK WSF fees. So if you are new to WSF you can sign up for just $45. If you are a current member of WSF you can sign up for free.
Current Members of WSF:
If you are a current member of WSF simply send me an email and I will verify your name on the list and confirm your enrollment in the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Please email me at [email protected]
New Members to WSF:
Simply go to www.wildsheepfoundation.org to become a member of the national organization and then contact me at the email address below. We will accept your word as having enrolled in WSF and confirm your membership in AK WSF. Please email me at [email protected]
Thank you and we looking forward to hearing from you and meeting with everyone in the near future.
Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain
Kevin J Kehoe President
These are busy times for the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Please take a minute to read the attached Member Update to learn more about the organization and see what we have been doing over the last few months.
As always we are looking for new members and volunteers to help us build the organization and help it reach full potential. Please feel free to share this update letter with interested friends and hunting partners and encourage them to join the organization. We have attached a copy of the Membership Procedures to pass to your interested friends.
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in the near future.
Kevin
Kevin J Kehoe
President
Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation
Members Update
The Wild Sheep Foundation has returned to Alaska with the creation of a new non-profit corporation in December 2014 registered as the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Although the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) has continuously maintained members throughout the Last Frontier, the creation of an Alaska-based organization facilitates a much more active role in sheep hunting and management here in the State. The new organization was formally chartered by the Board of Directors of the Wild Sheep Foundation at the annual convention in January of 2015.
The initial Board of Directors elected Kevin Kehoe from Anchorage as President and Aaron Bloomquist from Tok as Vice President. Jack Atcheson Jr. of Montana is the other member of the current board.
The new organization comes with a completely new set of bylaws which requires among other things, dual membership in WSF and background checks for board members and officers. AK WSF also recently adopted an Ethics Policy which helps guide the organization in the performance of its duties.
The mission of Alaska Wild Sheep Foundations (AK WSF) is only slightly different than the parent WSF organization to give it an Alaskan focus:
“The mission of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, educate the public on wild sheep, and protect and enhance sheep hunting and viewing opportunities in Alaska.”
The purpose of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is to:
Enhance and increase the population of Dall’s sheep in Alaska and wild sheep in general.
Inform and educate the people of Alaska concerning wild sheep, their habitat, health, population, and general welfare.
Promote professional management of wild sheep with special focus on Dall’s sheep to increase the number, size and distribution of the herds; promote the use of hunting and sustainable harvest as a legitimate conservation and game management tool; achieve an optimum population of wild sheep; and safeguard against their decline or extinction.
Sponsor fund-raising events for the purpose of acquiring the necessary resources to directly benefit the Dall’s and other wild sheep.
Provide financial or direct assistance to wildlife managers for: Research projects, emergency relief, transfer of animals to new locations, inoculations or other medical assistance, and supplemental training of professional wildlife managers working with Dall sheep in Alaska.
Safeguard and improve Dall sheep habitat in Alaska.
Membership in the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation is open to all persons and organizations that subscribe to the mission and purpose of AK WSF and comply with the stipulations set forth in the Bylaws, Ethics Policy, and the other AK WSF guidance documents. Dual membership is required so each member of the AK WSF must be a member in good standing of the Wild Sheep Foundation. AK WSF signed up almost 180 new members during its’ first month of operation.
AK WSF is currently looking for volunteers to create area chapters and to staff positions in the virtual headquarters and serve on various committees in conservation projects, fund raising, and legislative action. Future board members will likely be chosen from these volunteers.
Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation plans to create area chapters in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Mat-Su, and the Kenai Peninsula, although any group of hunters or volunteers who would like to be involved and conduct a fund raising event in their area are welcome to request chapter status.
AK WSF priorities over the next year include but are not limited to:
Developing solid working relationships with appropriate government agencies and
alliances with fellow sportsmen’s groups
Active participation in the ongoing sheep-focused regulatory process
Furthering the Disease Prevention Initiative in Alaska
Assisting with the re-writing of Dall Sheep Management Plans in Alaska
Efforts in the on-going sheep hunting regulatory process led us recently to clarify our position on the overall allocation process: “AK WSF strongly endorses hunting as a viable use of the resource and valuable conservation tool. However, we feel the allocation of hunting permits between resident and non-resident hunters and other parties should be left to each state or province to decide unless it negatively impacts the resource or overall hunting opportunities. We believe that combined efforts by all stake holders to increase the sheep populations would result in greater access and opportunities for all hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. AK WSF supports fact-based decision making consistent with science-based game management. As such we are happy to provide information and assistance to game management organizations that helps facilitate sound resource decisions.”
Those interested in joining the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation or current members who would like to get more involved with the conservation and fund raising efforts are asked to email [email protected].
Membership Enrollment Procedures
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) is back in Alaska! (Some of you may have been around long enough to remember the old name FNAWS which technically changed several years ago). We are pleased to announce the creation of the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation (AK WSF) as a non-profit corporation established here in Alaska and chartered under the WSF.
Our Bylaws require dual membership in both the national organization (WSF) and the Alaska Organization (AK WSF). The cost is normally $45 for WSF plus $10 for AK WSF. As part of an initial membership drive we have sponsors who have generously agreed to cover the AK WSF fees. So if you are new to WSF you can sign up for just $45. If you are a current member of WSF you can sign up for free.
Current Members of WSF:
If you are a current member of WSF simply send me an email and I will verify your name on the list and confirm your enrollment in the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation. Please email me at [email protected]
New Members to WSF:
Simply go to www.wildsheepfoundation.org to become a member of the national organization and then contact me at the email address below. We will accept your word as having enrolled in WSF and confirm your membership in AK WSF. Please email me at [email protected]
Thank you and we looking forward to hearing from you and meeting with everyone in the near future.
Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain
Kevin J Kehoe President
