In May our members unanimously approved the slate of candidates nominated for the 2020-2021 SWTU Board of Directors. Thanks to everyone for voting online. Before I congratulate our new members I want to say thank you to outgoing Board Members Rodd Wangren and Mary Ann Doll. Rodd joined the board two years ago and has been a dedicated member; his passion for conservation advocacy will be missed. Mary Ann Doll served on the board for over six years, including two as Vice President. Her commitment to making our chapter events welcoming to all who attended was invaluable. I look forward to working with the current board to continue her efforts to recruit and welcome new members to our organization.

I couldn’t be happier that Jim Hess and Henry Nehls-Lowe agreed to come back into board service, and that Zach Olufs agreed to join the board as a new member. Jim will be a fantastic president and I step away knowing the chapter is in very good hands. Thanks to all of you for volunteering your time for these important leadership roles.

I never imagined my term as president would end in such unusual and traumatic circumstances – the Coronavirus pandemic forced us to cancel our spring meetings and work days, and the murder of George Floyd on May 25 inspired peaceful protests and incidences of violence in Madison and around the world. In the words of Chris Wood, TU President and CEO, “We cannot simply ignore the news, go fishing, and wait this out.”  It’s up to all of us to end systemic racism in outdoor recreation and our communities, and make SWTU a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. I look forward to continuing to work with our Board on these efforts.

The conservation community has joined the discussion of the insidious and pervasive effects of racism in our country. If you have not already read Chad Brown’s powerful article on racism and trout fishing, including his own experiences, please do so.

SWTU has plenty of work to do on this score. Our Officers and Board will be thinking hard and creatively about how to better welcome all people of all backgrounds to trout fishing, conservation and SWTU.

In short, we must do more to reach out to people of color of all ages. While SWTU’s leadership will be conscientious about this work, we’ll need help. If you have suggestions or observations, please contact any Officer or Board Member. Their contact information is always in the newsletter and on the website.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and cancellation of our April and May 2020 chapter meetings, SWTU conducted the 2020 Board of Directors election online. Our members voted to approve the slate of candidates presented by the Nominating Committee for the 2020-2021 program year:

President: Jim Hess
Vice President: Topf Wells
Treasurer: Tom Parker
Secretary: Henry Nehls-Lowe
Directors: Dave Fowler, Pat Hasburgh, Ben Lubchansky, Zach Olufs, Curt Riedl, Tom Thrall
State Council Delegate: Michael Williamson
Past President: Amy Klusmeier

That’s a great slate of leaders! Thanks to all who voted and all who stepped up to help our Chapter continue making a difference for our environment and one another.