VAPBA Natural Resources Police Chapter Update
Jun 19, 2013
June Meeting Summary
On June 13th, we held a Conservation Police Chapter meeting in Williamsburg. Thanks again to George Wilson for setting up an excellent location. Among those in attendance were five of our new members from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Due to their interest and attendance we spent the majority of the meeting familiarizing them with our chapter and the PBA. I provided a brief history of our chapter's evolution and activities over the past couple years and we discussed some of the issues we have faced as well as the direction we are planning to go with our chapter.
Our Virginia Marine Police members provided us with an idea of some of the main issues their officers have been dealing with and the challenges they have faced in resolving those issues. Not surprisingly, members from both agencies agreed that the problems are extremely similar. Upon hearing their issues, we provided them with some of the obstacles we encountered in our attempts to resolve inner agency issues. This ultimately led us to focus more attention on bigger issues that could be addressed in the political arena of the Commonwealth. We discussed the support we have garnered for our chapter/officers and the connections we developed, which have provided excellent guidance as we are navigating our way through Virginia politics.
I encouraged the members to utilize the chapter to address these issues and not to let any of their officers become overwhelmed by frustration and react in a manner that may cause them to be disciplined by their agency. Essentially, members can bring issues to the chapter board where they can be discussed and analyzed by our attorneys, if needed, before any action is taken by the members or the chapter. The concept being that the more points of view provided, the less chance of someone getting into trouble and the better chance for successful resolution.
Rich Goszka briefed everyone on the meeting he and Sean had with Secretary Domenech. He explained that the Secretary had requested a report that would provide more detail about the overlap of services between DGIF and VMRC. We discussed plans to complete our report and schedule another meeting with Secretary Domenech, we will have one of our VMRC members attend the meeting with Rich and Sean. In preparation for the meeting our VMRC members expressed wanting to get a better idea of the officers/members opinions on the agency issues and direction. Upon allowing them to review the survey we sent to DGIF members in the fall, they decided they would like to send the same survey to the VMRC members. We have prepared the survey and the link will be sent out only to our VMRC members this week. As it was with our DGIF survey, all responses will be completely anonymous; there is no way for anyone, including us, to find out who gives what answer or where the survey was taken from through IP addresses or any other manner. So, as I did with DGIF members, I encourage our VMRC members to provide open and honest responses to the survey so that our chapter can provide you the best possible representation.
New Chapter Board Members
Along those lines, a motion was made and passed to appoint two of our Virginia Marine Police members in attendance to our chapter board. We welcome John Croft and Jamie Green to our chapter board and we would like to thank them for volunteering to participate and represent Virginia Marine Police as board members. The motion was followed by a discussion of how we want the members from all agencies to participate and be represented in our chapter. So that we can work together to make improvements for all of our members. Up to this point, there were only a few members from VMRC but now we have 39 members from the Virginia Marine Police. Again, the more members we have the better we can make our voice heard within both agencies and the General Assembly. Please understand that there is no competition between DGIF and VMRC members. We are just a group of police officers working together to help each other.
Chapter Name Change
Since we have a significant and a growing membership from VMRC, we have discussed and decided that we should change our chapter name. This would better represent and include all of our members. A motion was made by a board member, via e-mail, prior to our meeting. This was carried over for discussion, and passed to change our name to the Virginia Natural Resources Police Chapter. Everyone in attendance agreed that this name best represented who we are and what we do overall. We are now working to decide on a chapter logo and a design for new t-shirts. We have two retailers interested in selling our shirts. Those members waiting for another order of shirts may need to wait a little longer. I believe we will develop an even better product with our new shirt. I'm sorry but I'm not sure we are going to purchase any more of our original design. However, anyone who has ideas or expertise in graphic design please e-mail me about your ideas or ability.
2013 Federal Duck Stamp Launch at Bass Pro Shops
Sean McGowan, Wayne Weller, Rich Goszka and I have been formally invited to attend the Launch of the 2013 Federal Duck Stamp at Bass Pro Shops, in Ashland on June 28th, as representatives of our PBA chapter. We were extremely honored to receive our invitations from Bass Pro Shops to this prestigious event and look forward to representing the Virginia Natural Resources Police Chapter. Along with this event, we will also be the ground breaking for our new DGIF headquarters, where we will also be representing our chapter.
PBA Family Event
As I mentioned in my last update, we are planning a family event in Caroline County on an amazing 800+ acre property provided to our chapter by one of our supporters. Essentially, we have been given full access and control of the property for use by PBA members. We had initially planned to hold the event in July, but it has taken longer to prepare the property (trails, gates, etc...) We are now planning an August event. I will provide the exact date and details of the event in the near future.
PBA Dove Hunt
Our September dove hunt is still on schedule and the crops are progressing nicely to provide perfect timing for an excellent hunt this year. The hunt will again be held on Mr. Rick Sharp's farm in King George. I will also be providing exact date and details as we get closer to September.
Political Screening for State Officials
Also, as I mentioned in my last update the Virginia PBA State Board will be holding our political screening on August 10th in Richmond. I will be on the screening panel as the Vice President of the state board. We will be screening for the positions of Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and many Delegates to determine which of the candidates will receive the PBA endorsement.
Rumor Mill
As always, thanks for all you do, and please contact me with any questions, concerns, or issues and especially if you hear something about the PBA in the rumor mill. I can usually dispel rumors very quickly if they are presented to me. For example, I was recently asked if our PBA chapter was supporting hiring a colonel from outside of DGIF, because that's what someone had heard. Our chapter has not supported hiring a colonel from outside DGIF, nor have we taken any stance on the topic which, to our knowledge, is only a rumor at this time. So, please do not hesitate to contact me we any questions or concerns regarding our PBA chapter. I will be more than happy to provide clarification.
Virginia Division
