Like many organizations, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness was formed and led by volunteers. Although we have grown and now have part time staff we are still volunteer driven and perhaps depend on our volunteers more now than ever before.
Volunteers are the very heartbeat of all our activities and outreach. With help from dedicated, passionate volunteers we continue to reach more and more people growing our group of support and supporters. Some volunteers plan or help us put on events for our supporters or for the general public. Other times, our volunteers help out at display tables at fairs and festivals, talk to the public, hand out maps and answer questions. Some volunteers lead hikes or find themselves picking up a Pulaski and using backcountry skills to clear trail. Others share their skills in writing, photography, and design or data management. Fortunately, the diversity of our volunteers matches our many, and varied needs.
So, perhaps it is ironic that we have found a “one size fits all” way of rewarding our volunteers! We are proud to announce a new way of recognizing our volunteers. In addition to the “over the top volunteer” feature articles in our newsletter, in addition to the certificates and plaques we hand out at our state of the Scotchmans and summer picnics, we are pleased to announce that we now have a special designed “volunteer” hat, featuring a “follow me” on the back (a special nod to our outstanding hiker leaders) and “will work for wilderness” on the side, very visible at that table or booth.
You cannot buy these hats; you must earn them, by becoming a volunteer. And while we hope that these hats will be incentive enough for more of you to step forward as volunteers, we want to start by recognizing some of the outstanding volunteers who have done so much to bring us this far!
On Sunday, at the premier of “En Plein Air” and earlier in February at the International Wildife Film Festival in Libby, we handed out hats to our most dedicated volunteer corps. Below is a complete list of the inaugural volunteers who have earned their hat please visit our website. Join us in congratulating these outstanding volunteers! If you would like to find out how to earn your own hat send us an email, orpost a comment on this blog and let us know you would like to be a volunteer. We’ll match a need with your skill and interests!
Ann Wimberley
Bev Newsham
Carol Jenkins
Caroline Hidy
Deb Hunsicker
Doug Ferrell
Ernie Sherzer
Holly Clements
Irv Jenkins
Jacob Styer
Jan Griffin
Jim Mellen
John Harbuck
Jon Isacoff
Joyce Pence
Judy Hutchins
Kally Thurman
Lexie DeFremery
Marie Valentine
Mindy Ferrell
Neil Wimberley
Pama Bangaman
Phil Hough
Sandii Mellen
Sandy Compton
Susan Drumheller
Todd Dunfield
Vallee Novak
Will Valentine
Bill Martin
Brad Smith
Charlie Clough
Don Clark
Don Jones
Jon Jeresek
Molly Kieran
Randy Beacham
Renee Rose
Sarah Lundstrum
Trisha Miller
Congratulations and THANK YOU!
