A message from President Harlan Starr

Dear Fellow Volunteers,
 
The CDC, state, county, and local restrictions for social gatherings have been changing greatly over these past few weeks and days.  As restrictions relax, we are prepared to move to a Phase 2 opening of our fundraising efforts to include all banquets/events of less than 250 total persons starting immediately.  We will continue to monitor and adhere to all national, state and local guidelines as we begin this Phase 2 opening. Should restrictions change due to an outbreak of the COVID- 19 virus in a particular state or county, you should be prepared to modify or potentially postpone an event to meet those updated guidelines. Our goal is reopen and hold safe events for our staff, our volunteers and attendees.  This is truly great news and what all of you have been waiting to hear. With this news comes a set of checks and balances as you begin the planning of these events.
 
Here are the NWTF’s Phase 2 guidelines for events to occur:

• Before an event can happen you still need to have approval from your Regional Director.
• Have a conversation with your committee regarding attendance and event profitability.  Will people still come to the event?  What’s the anticipated expenses/revenue?  Will the nontraditional rescheduled event date work?  We don’t want to hold an event just to hold an event.  The event must be profitable.
• Is there a venue available? If not, then look at the potential for an event to be held outside.
• State, county and local guidelines must be followed without exception
• The event must not have more than 250 total people (including staff, caterers, etc.) regardless of venue size and that state or counties guidelines. If a state’s guidelines are less than 250 then you must adhere to that restriction.
• When at all possible and if it is a part of your state or counties guidelines, the floor should be marked to maintain a minimum 6ft spacing between individuals.
• Does the chapter already have their merchandise for their event?  If not, work with your RD to determine if there is product in the field we can use first, before we will ship the product from NWTF’s warehouse?
• Staff and high contact volunteers will be required to wear a mask and gloves at the event. This includes staff, raffle sellers and front door personnel etc.

 
Again, please keep in mind that guidelines and restrictions are changing frequently.  Flexibility and cooperation are needed as we navigate our Phase 2 reopening.  We want to be smart and careful as we move forward.
 
In addition, a high density of events may occur in a short period of time so we will need empowered volunteers to assist with events as RD’s could have multiple events in a very short period of time.  Let’s work as a team to be successful as we carefully work to reopen.
​ 
Thanks to all of you as you embrace this Phase 2 re-opening. Stay safe!
 
Harlan Starr
President

National Wild Turkey Federation
770 Augusta Road  |  Edgefield, SC 29824