While recently standing guard on the frost covered ground of an Illinois river duck club, I once again found myself reflecting on the beauty that surrounded me...a nuthatch hoping to find one more morsel hidden in the crevice of a shagbark hickory, a grey squirrel burying his cache of acorns before the Winter snow, the shrill from a redtail hawk, and the melodious cries from a family of geese who were hoping 
to survive the annual pilgrimage south.

However, it is also during these times in the woods that I struggle to clear my mind from the 
same everyday frustrations that we all face as wildlife officers. It is difficult to remain upbeat at times, but I must say that the feedback 
and letters that I have been receiving, especially from the retirees, as well as the 
sight of these creatures in the woods, give me the motivation I need to continue to work hard for wildlife protection. 

Over the past few months, the board and your reps have been working tirelessly for the FWOA with many new ideas. Through the use of the Internet, we have been able to discuss 
numerous issues on a daily basis, including the 1811 vs. 1812 issue, GS­13 promotions, elections, fundraising ideas, etc. This method of staying in touch with everyone benefits us all 
and provides each of you with the opportunity to contact us directly with your own comments and concerns. Most of respond to our e­mail daily. I encourage each of you to participate in these discussions and add our personal e­mail 
addresses to your address book. 

Attached to this newsletter is a questionnaire concerning several important issues we have been discussing. I believe it is important to allow each of our charter members a chance to voice an opinion on these topics so that we can decide whether or not the FWOA should tackle these issues. Please take time to respond to the questions. 

One of the first projects that we have undertaken is the creation of a new logo for the 
FWOA. During the inception of the Association in 1986, the wolf was chosen as the symbol of the Association and it has been decided that the wolf will remain as the centerpiece of our new logo. A graphic artist with Mid-America Advertising is creating the new logo that will represent the FWOA. In addition, Mid­America Advertising has agreed to produce a FWOA banner at little or no cost to the Association. This banner will be important in promoting the federal wildlife officer profession through its use at various functions nationwide. Along with the new logo will come new merchandise, including new mugs, hats, shirts, decals, patches, etc. If you have ideas, let us know. 
We pledge to make a stronger effort in promoting the FWOA. 

We hope to have the new FWOA banner completed for the upcoming NAWEOA conference being held in Albany, NY, during July 10­16, 2000. SA Bob Garabedian has been representing the FWOA at the planning meetings in Albany and it is expected that the FWOA will once again be asked to participate in 
the conference in some manner. We are still searching for ideas. As mentioned previously, it is my hope that during this conference, the FWOA will pledge a contribution to the North American Wildlife Enforcement Memorial Museum and Education Center being built at the International Peace Garden on the North Dakota/Canada border. Many Canadian and U.S. wildlife officer associations have already pledged $5,000 ($1,000 payment for five years) towards the memorial museum. I believe through a fundraising project the FWOA could easily raise the $1,000 per year for the museum construction. 

It is my opinion that certain ``perks'' should be available to those who choose to become members of the FWOA. A project that we are advocating is the creation of the ``FWOA Officer of the Year'' award that would only be open to charter members of the FWOA. This award would recognize outstanding contributions by one of our own federal wildlife officers each year with emphasis on meeting the goals of the Association. 

If such an award could be developed, I would recommend that the award be presented each year at the annual NAWEOA conference so that the recipient could be recognized in front of 1,000 or more peers from around North America during the awards ceremony. In addition, I would suggest that the winner be awarded a monetary bonus to be used towards the lodging costs for this annual NAWEOA conference so that the winner and his or her family could also be in attendance. 

I would also like to personally welcome four new charter members from Region 3. As stated previously, our goal should be 100% participation by all agents. There are so many issues that affect all of us, therefore, it is important that we have the support of all of our agents. 

I challenge each of you to recruit at least one nonmember to the FWOA before the next newsletter. If you would like a copy of this newsletter sent to a nonmember, let us know and we will drop one in the mail to them.

Remember that costs change as of January, so now is the time to sign up and/or renew your memberships. 

As the snow clouds begin to migrate south leading the flocks of waterfowl to the Louisiana rice fields, my mind begins to wander and I am reminded just how much work there is to do and so little time to do it. I recently received a note being sent around by a fellow agent that might hit home with most of us. The story compared life to juggling five balls, including a work ball, a health ball, family ball, friends ball and a spiritual ball. The work ball is made of rubber and no matter how many times you drop it, it keeps bouncing back up and is always there. 

However, the other balls are made of glass, and obviously dropping any of them could be devastating. Remember what is important in life and when the hassles of the job get you down ---- as they seem to be doing more routinely these days----take some time to watch that nuthatch or hear that cry from the hawk. The healing powers of the outdoors is remarkable... 

WELCOME NEW CHARTER MEMBERS! 

Julie Scully 06/99 
Gary Jagodzinski 06/99 
Luis Santiago 07/99 
John Elofson 08/99 
Andrew Aloise 08/99 
Dave Kirkby 09/99 
Carl Wilson 11/99 
Our Association is only as strong as our members! 

POTENTIAL NEW AGENT! 

Jill Birchell had a baby boy on 11/05/99 which weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces. The proud parents named their son Layton Tecumseh Birchell. Congratulations Jill and Bruce! 

Transferred? Moving? Retiring? 
In order to keep your FWOA records 
up­to­date, please let us know when your 
location or status changes!