Postby ScottW » Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:46 am
Here is the official spin put out by DU. Just the facts, you decide.
Dear DU Volunteer:
As you may be aware, DU recently made some adjustments to our Fundraising staffing levels in Mississippi . Since this type of change often creates confusion and disinformation, we wanted to provide you with an accurate set of details.
DU's mission statement is clear. DU conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America 's waterfowl. This is established by our Board of Directors (all unpaid volunteers who spend thousands a dollars a year of their own money to perform this vital function) and is the driving force behind everything we do.
All of our staff comes to DU with a love for the mission. But we often comment that we stay because of the people we meet and the relationships we build. DU staff sees our fellow staff as family, and we care for each other accordingly.
Unfortunately, there are times when in order to achieve the expectations of our mission, changes in the DU family occur. The recent changes in Mississippi are such an occasion.
Grassroots fundraising in Mississippi has declined significantly in recent years. There are many reasons for this, but we can assure you that we are addressing every one within our power. (Continued hunter success during this duck season should help, too.) Mississippi hasn't been the only state facing these challenges, nor is it the only state to see changes in staff.
The decision to reduce our staff is never an easy one. We care for our staff, and we recognize that the nature of their work leads them to develop deep relationships with our volunteers and members. However, as stated earlier, our mission to benefit waterfowl, and to do so with the efficiency that our members and volunteers take pride in, requires us to manage our expenses in relationship to our income. It is a constant challenge to maintain a balance between the size of our grassroots organization and our staff in every area of the country.
Simply stated, when a particular part of the country experiences dramatic reductions in income, we have a choice. Become less efficient and accomplish less in our conservation mission or to reduce our expenses and seek to maximize our benefit to the resource. To be true to the expectations of our members and volunteers, we must keep the resource foremost in our mind.
When we face these decisions, we must evaluate a variety of factors, many of which are not obvious to a volunteer working on the local level. Deciding which staff to keep and which to release is neither simple nor easy. We do our best to make the best choice for the ducks.
When we face these tough decisions, we never forget that our staff is family. In this case, it was determined that we would continue forward in Mississippi with RD Billie Ray Fann. As a result, RD John Peeples was presented the opportunity to transfer to other open positions within DU at the same salary. For personal reasons John choose not to accept that opportunity.
We accept John's decision and have provided him with a generous separation package to help him make a successful transition. John has indicated that he ?still loves DU.? We wish he and his family only the best and look forward to John continuing to be a part of the DU family.
Moving forward, we have to provide the best support to our volunteers in Mississippi . Obviously, this will be more of a challenge with fewer staff. In order to do this, Mississippi will be one of the first states to take part in a new program we are testing to provide additional points of service and support to our volunteers. While the role an RD plays can never be replaced, our volunteers have many needs that are difficult for our RDs to meet due to their travel schedules. Beginning in January, Mississippi volunteers will have access to a new rapid response Volunteer Support System in Memphis . We'll be sharing more details on this program in the near future. It is our hope that this new program will assist Mississippi and the other four states participating to improve the level of support to our local volunteers.
In closing, we want to thank you for your support and involvement with DU as a volunteer. Our staff and volunteers working together are what make us great.
You share our passion for waterfowl. You know there is no equal or greater opportunity to make a significant impact on the resource than DU. Each and every DU staff and volunteer shares your passion and is ready to continue working with you to ensure that we continue to have wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl, today, tomorrow and forever.
Sincerely,
Jack Moss Ronal F. Roberson Jim Young
Senior Vice President Regional Vice President Group Manager
Southern Mississippi Region 6 Grassroots Fundraising & Volunteer Relations
Ducks Unlimited
1 Waterfowl Way
Memphis, TN 38120
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