I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for you not receiving the winter issues of QUAIL UNLIMITED magazine. Our organization has been going through some challenging times. However, the future of the organization is looking brighter with each passing day. Please know that we will get the next issue of QUAIL UNLIMITED magazine to you as soon as it is completed.

As you are aware, Quail Unlimited is facing many financial challenges.  However, let me assure you, the QU board of directors, which I am a member of, is committed to turning this organization around and maintaining our status as “America’s leader in Quail conservation.”  As people often say, everything happens for a purpose.  Quite possibly, the purpose of all the turmoil within our fine organization is to bring us back to the purpose we were created for.

Let me share that statement of purpose with you.  “Quail Unlimited, Inc. is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the wise management of America’s wild quail, doves, upland game birds and other forms of wildlife.” 

With that said, how do we get back to our intended purpose?  The first step is an open line of communication between you and the national organization, its board and its staff.  The sometimes complete lack of communication between members and staff, national and chapters, and staff and the board has in part brought us to where we are today.  That changes now!  If you have a question, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at bbowles@qu.org or phone me at 229/347-0698.  I will get back to you just as quickly as I can.  Our staff in Edgefield is also available (803/637-5731), as well as the regional directors, to assist you on a daily basis.

From now on, to keep you informed, I will be sending out a weekly e-mail Covey Blast on Friday (excluding holidays).  If you are not on the list to receive the blast and would like to be, simply send your e-mail address to djohnson@qu.org, and you will be put on the list to receive each week’s Covey Blast.

I realize there are a number of rumors circulating about QU.  While the entire QU staff was put on a two-week furlough at the end of October, they have returned to work and have been paid for wages earned.  Word has also been circulating that QU is going to file bankruptcy.  That is definitely not true.  While that option was considered, it was quickly put to rest.  While times are difficult, as they are for most nonprofit organizations, we do intend to meet all of our financial obligations to chapters and vendors as we restructure this great organization.

Part of the restructuring will be adding to our current board of directors from our state and chapter chairmen.  To date we have received four nominations to fill recent vacancies.  We would very much like to receive four more nominations by the end of December.  This is a great opportunity for you to help reshape your organization with your nomination and to guide QU into the future. Once the nominations are received, everyone will have the chance to view them.  Once the new board is in place, the first order of business will be to rewrite our by-laws.

The next item on the QU calendar is the 2010 Celebrity Conservation event.  This will take place in Albany, Georgia, January 28 – 30.  In conjunction with the Celebrity Conservation event, we will hold a meeting of the new board of directors, all state chairmen, chapter chairmen, regional directors and staff on January 26 and 27.  I hope you will make plans to attend and be a part of this year’s event.  I have received several phone calls over the past few weeks from QU members who basically thought the annual Celebrity Conservation Event in Albany was “a party for rich people.”  Let me first say how much I appreciated those calls.  I expect you to be honest with me just as you expect me to be honest with you.  However, this could not be further from the truth.

This event is not intended to be “a party for rich people.”  It is the largest fundraiser conducted by Quail Unlimited each year and is held to benefit every member of QU.  Besides raising funds for the conservation goals and operation of Quail Unlimited, it also shines a positive light on hunters as a whole.  So many times hunters get a really bum rap.  The general public does not realize that the dollars hunters spend through an excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act supports the management and restoration of the wildlife they love.  For another example of what Quail Unlimited is doing to shed a positive light on the hunting community, go to www.albanyherald.com and search Quail Unlimited.

I would like to personally invite each one of you to be involved in this year’s Conservation Celebrity Event and the board of directors, state chairmen, chapter chairmen, regional director and staff meeting.  If any chapter would like to send their chapter chairman or a representative, please let me know.  I’ll get you the information you need to attend.

In closing, I want to thank you for your past support of Quail Unlimited.  We didn’t become a nationally recognized conservation leader on our own and we won’t become what we were intended to be alone.  It is going to take all of us working together as we reorganize and reshape Quail Unlimited for the future, and let me say, I grow more optimistic about our future with each passing day.  Remember, you can contact me at bbowles@qu.org or by phone at 229/347-0698 at any time.  We’re in this together!

Sincerest regards,

Bill Bowles
President

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More Information about Quail Unlimited, Courtesy of Albany Herald

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