FWS Retirees Member Benefits
Why Join?
Choosing to join and pay dues helps to maintain and advance the mission of the organization. Checking areas of interest serves to provide information for future programs. Dues-paying members are Sustaining Members in the Retirees Association By-Laws. Sustaining members have many benefits because they are current on their annual dues or have become Lifetime Members. Some of those benefits are detailed below.
Apply for Station Mini-Grant
We review grant applications in February and August each year for awards in the following month. The Board is also working on an additional opportunity to fund mini-grants related to youth hunting and fishing events associated with Service stations.
Travel Opportunities
Participate in an annual survey and conference call on where you want to travel nationally and internationally. During the annual call, the group tries to reach a consensus on at least one national and one international location for the following year. Some travel is leisure travel to popular locations, and some is to volunteer at perhaps a refuge in the US or a game reserve in Africa. The only requirement for participation in this group is to check the Travel interest on the membership form. Travel opportunities depend on a member coordinating either entirely or through a travel agent/company. The Travel interest area must be checked on your membership form to receive alerts about the annual survey and call on travel interests or opportunities.
Reunions
Reunions of all members are held every 18 months or so at a variety of locations in the US. While Sustaining Membership is not required to attend a Reunion, it is strongly encouraged. Help selecting the Reunion location and program emphasis is solicited from those Sustaining Members who check the Reunion interest box on the membership form.
History
Communication and Membership
The association may have Sustaining Members (ideally one per Region) appointed as liaisons to the Regional Directors and the HR divisions. The purpose of the liaisons is to improve awareness of the Association among current employees and to learn how the Association might be of assistance to the Regions. Regional liaisons are eligible for mileage expenses in carrying out their roles.
Run for Board of Directors
Each year, the term of three members of the Association Board expires, and elections are held to fill those seats and any other vacancy that has occurred during the year. Sustaining members are eligible to run for a seat on the Board. Nominations, including self-nominations, usually occur in August and September annually.
Vote for Board of Directors
The ballot to vote for the Board is sent to all Sustaining Members annually in late November or early December. Voting occurs in December, and we announce the new Board members in January. Board terms are three years.