West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited
Highlights of Spring Activities / 1
  • We developed new WVTU Guide: Volunteer Leader’s Tasks & Responsibilities
  • We developed a WVTU Strategic Planning outline (see Leader’s Only section on wvtu.org)
  • There is a WVTU overview PowerPoint presentation on the Leader’s Only section that members can use if giving presentation to chapters, civic groups, boy scouts, etc.
  • Larry Orr visited the DNR Commissioner’s Meeting in April
  • We added numerous Chapter and Volunteer help documents to the Leader’s Only Section of wvtu.org.
  • In April, Philip Smith and Larry Harris traveled to Washington D.C. to lobby WV Delegation concerning the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
  • Frank Williams of wvoutdoor.com agreed to donate free billboard space to WVTU. His printer (in NC) agreed to lower cost of printing to $50 per billboard. WVTU Executive Committee and Chapter Presidents approved $1,000 to purchase 20 billboards via email communication. (Note: KVCTU approved $100 for 2 additional billboards).
  • Created an Adopt-A-Sign page on wvtu.org to offset the cost of billboards. For $50, you can make a donation equal to the cost of one billboard and added a paypal button for easy debit/credit card convenience. The page also features photos of billboards across West Virginia that we have received or taken. It also provides an invite to other media outlets to inquire about PSA’s.
  • Created a Donate page on wvtu.org to actively solicit donations to us as a 501c3 non-profit. We added a paypal link for donations. We have also begun creation of a 1% For Rivers campaign based on the successful model used by Colorado TU.
  • We are continuously updating the Mountain State Trout Festival page on wvtu.org.
  • We have created a WV License Plate sign up page on wvtu.org. When we get 250 commitments to purchase a TU license plate we will be able to begin the work of submitting info to DMV to get this done. But we can’t do anything until we know we will have 250 plates minimum.
  • We have been actively discussing the parameters of a potential National Monument designation with the WV Wilderness Coalition. Philip Smith has met with Mike Costello of the WVWC numerous times in Beckley and Charleston to look at maps and potential boundaries as well as statutory guidelines that TU may support pending council approval. A PowerPoint presentation is available on wvtu.org
  • We have been actively updating the WVTU twitter and facebook accounts. Jonathan Paine, Todd Taylor and Philip Smith are appointed communication officers for this.
  • We have nominated the new wvtu.org website for the TU Best Website award. KVCTU has been nominated for best chapter. If you would like to nominate any individual for a TU National Award, the nomination form is on the Leader’s Only section of wvtu.org. You should be nominating chapters/people annually.
  • Philip Smith and Steve Young attended a KYOVA Chapter meeting and are working with them to grow that chapter.
  • UGTU is alive! Bart Haouck has returned to Mullens and has gotten them jumpstarted again.
  • Still looking for chapter presidents to take over at PPKTU and MCTU. Still looking for someone at UOVTU to communicate with state council. We have received opportunity for more billboards in Northern Panhandle, but can’t get any support from UOVTU yet.
  • Fly Fishing Film Tour was AMAZING. Maybe the best WVCTU event in decades. We need to identify a primary sponsor ($800) for 2013 to increase our revenue.
  • Verbal agreement with Vu Ja De Winery (in Spencer) to produce a Brook Trout wine for WVTU – donating profit. Still working on details.
  • Possible partnership with Bridgeworks Brewing Company in Fayetteville as per Lee Orr.
  • Dave Fulton and Philip Smith attended Southeast Rally in Asheville, NC
  • WVTU actively involved in planning annual meeting in Asheville, NC. We are looking for WV items to auction at the Annual Meeting. Proceeds will be split and given to all SE states. We will also join KY and VA to sponsor hospitality suite for one evening (can anyone secure some wines, etc. from WV for this evening?)
  • SE Rally for 2013 will be in West Virginia (Glade Springs?). Looking for volunteers to help with planning.
  • Trout Festival Committee needs volunteers and people willing to lead certain tasks
  • Forestry and Awards Committee need representatives from all chapters
  • Fisheries Committee needs more active participation from all volunteers. Several projects are sitting out there waiting for us to jump in with both feet, but it takes active volunteers willing to dive in and figure out how to get things done.
  • If anyone is interested in helping develop the 1% For Rivers campaign (i.e., experience with marketing would be a bonus) please see Phil Smith. We should be able to triple our annual income with just a few key sponsors. Will consider an Ad Hoc Fundraising Committee.
  • TIC growth needed throughout WV; Teen Summit in Pennsylvania; Tri-State Youth Camp in Syria, VA; 5 Rivers College Clubs (no WV schools yet involved); only 7 Stream Explorer Members as of early 2012 --- WVTU needs more active involvement in Headwaters (Youth) Activities. If willing volunteer(s), we will consider an Ad hoc Youth Committee
  • Ernie Nester has developed a “History of WV Trout Unlimited” document that is on wvtu.org
  • Todd is continuing to do a great job with the new Tale of the Pool newsletter, but we need more people submitting articles of all varieties. We could also use some sponsors. If we can corner some sponsors, we could entertain getting print copies made again instead of solely electronic.
  • Phil has created a couple of episodes of the WVTU Streamside Journal Podcast that is available on the website. If you have ideas for interviews/topics or want to help with editing let him know.