Every good carpenter knows that a structurally sound house first requires laying a solid foundation. The same is true for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and our mission to protect America’s time-honored tradition of hunting, fishing and trapping. Without a solid foundation of support from the outdoor community, our ability to shelter sportsmen from the anti-hunter movement will quickly fail.
Fortunately, USSA has a group of volunteers known as Local Field Directors (LFD’s), who are dedicated to spreading the USSA message. USSA’s LFD team is made up of individual sportsmen from across the United States. Hand-picked by the organization, these men and women create awareness about the anti-hunting movement, all while helping to recruit and educate the next generation of sportsmen. Many often volunteer their time at Trailblazer Adventure Program events across the country, teaching youth firearm safety, raising awareness about the benefits of trapping, etc.
“LFD’s that work with the Trailblazer Program are invaluable component to events,” says USSA Director of Education, Frank Price. “With the Trailblazer national staff being only two individuals, LFD’s have given us the ability to hold as many six or seven programs on the same day. They act a USSA professional staff, stand-in manpower for open activities at events and trouble-shooter. Most important of all, they are there to promote the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and insure that all have safe and positive initial outdoor experience. “
Currently, USSA has a volunteer force of 120 LFDs from 38 states. These men and women vary in age, areas of expertise and skill sets. Collectively, these differences prove immensely valuable as attendees learn a wide variety of information related to hunting, trapping, fishing and general outdoors knowledge.
Besides assisting with youth events, LFDs also bridge the gap between USSA and the thousands of local sportsmen clubs across the country. Some LFDs travel hundreds of miles a year attending club meetings to engage in conversations with everyday sportsmen on behalf of USSA. This face-to-face interaction not only allows for a greater reach of the USSA message, but also affords USSA staff the opportunity to learn more about the concerns and opinions of hunters and anglers everywhere.
“While LFDs do get compensation for their efforts, you can’t simply measure their value in dollars or hours work,” said Price. “Volunteers are valued for the passion they bring the cause they so deeply invest themselves in.”
To learn more about volunteering as an LFD, please submit your name and contact information on our Volunteer Page or call Zac Lemmon at (614) 888-4868 ext: 219
