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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Stephen Shechtel March 2008
January 2008
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resident's Message • Executive Director's Report
As I write to you my first message as President, I am anxious, excited and humbled by the prospect of assuming the position. I am humbled that MSSA’s membership and Board placed their trust and confidence in me to lead the greatest fishing organization in the State of Maryland. I am truly honored. I am anxious because there is so much I want to accomplish for MSSA, and yet I am fully aware of the limitations that I must overcome. And as to being excited, just join a committee and see for yourself just how great we are and what we can do together. It is truly my hope and desire that at the end of my term, I proved worthy of your trust and confidence. My only request is that everyone understand that with two (notable) exceptions, MSSA is a volunteer organization. Without your help, effort, and participation, MSSA cannot be as great as it is. If you have not volunteered to become an Officer, Director, Committee Chair or Committee Member, please do so now. If not on the State level, then on the Chapter level. Your chapter needs your help. Every member who volunteers to do something, makes everyone’s chapter experience just that much more enjoyable, fun, and rewarding. If you are asked to help, say yes! I cannot thank Bill Windley enough for leaving me the helm of our great organization in the condition that it is. We are fiscally sound. We have many successful projects underway. Our relationships with DNR, Maryland and Federal representatives and leaders have never been better. Many of our members (including Bill Windley, Rich Novotny, and others) hold positions of authority and trust in Governmental authorities or organizations that directly impact your fishing experience. It is because of their hard work and efforts, and many like them, that the quota on rockfish next season was eliminated. I am proud to announce that Bill Windley has agreed to Chair the Legislative Committee for 2008. Mr. Windley will continue to not only offer both you and me the opportunity to draw upon his decade of experience at MSSA, but the comfort in knowing that our interests in Washington and Annapolis will continue to be heard. Three cheers for Bill Windley. Last week I learned that our own Bruno Vasta will be retiring his seat on the ASMFC. Mr. Vasta has volunteered hundreds of hours of his time to better your fishing experience, and to promote MSSA both at the State and local chapter level. On behalf of our entire organization, I publicly want to thank you for all of your work on behalf of MSSA. I also take this opportunity to thank everyone who served on a committee, as an officer, delegate, or representative during the past year. It was through their efforts that much of the changes you may have noticed are coming to fruition. And there are many, many more. As I look out my window, one cannot help but notice that the leaves are off the trees, the wind is cold. But there is so much that must be done before the start of the 2008 season. Tackle must be cleaned and organized. Rods and reels must be cleaned, oiled, and line replaced. Now is time that I have all the repairs that I put off during the season, canvas, electronic charts are updated, and whatever else that needs repairing is fixed. And of course, there are all of those great winter shows: the Timonium Fishing Show (January 10-13); the Chesapeake Fishing & Outdoor Expo (January 19-20); the Baltimore Boat Show (January 23-27); and all of the chapter shows and more. If you have never worked one of the shows, do so. It’s a great time to meet people and learn about our great organization. If you have not signed up for the 18th Annual Convention (Febuary 1-3, 2008), make plans now. This highly subsidized event provides everyone with MSSA with a fun filled weekend. There is our annual meeting, dinner dance, unlimited food and drink, and much comradery. I look forward to meeting as many of the membership as possible. No, I am not retired. I have a career and work full time. But I am going to try and attend a meeting of every chapter at least once in the next year. It is my hope to meet as many members as possible. Over the next year... If there is anything that we at MSSA can do to make your MSSA experience more rewarding, please let me know. Stephen Shechtel, A proud member of MSSA
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8461C Ft. Smallwood Road • Pasadena, MD 21122 • 410-255-5535
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