I visited Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2007, to introduce myself as incoming ANPR president to senior NPS management, to staff members of the Subcommittees on National Parks in the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives, and to the president and government-related staff members of the National Parks Conservation Association. Here's my perception of how the visits went:

NPS Deputy Director
I thanked Deputy Director Dan Wenk for coming to the 2007 Ranger Rendezvous in Park City and invited him to be with us in Santa Fe in 2008. He indicated that Park City was not the first Rendezvous he'd attended, and that he hoped he would be able to come to Santa Fe.

We discussed three areas of cooperation that ANPR would like to see the NPS agree to or understand:

1. We want to be able to send an e-mail in the spring and/or early summer to all employees of the NPS informing them of the availability to purchase health insurance as members of ANPR, without having the attempt shut down by NPS information technology specialists.

2. We would like to establish a cooperative agreement with the NPS so that ANPR is seen as a legitimate training provider for NPS employees, specifically at Ranger Rendezvous. As part of this discussion we want the NPS to recognize Rendezvous as a "professional conference" so that employees can attend those portions of Rendezvous directly related to their employment on government time.

3. ANPR is making an attempt to establish "college chapters" in 2008. If successful, we believe the chapters could have significant benefits for increasing the diversity of both ANPR and qualified applicants for NPS positions.

Dan promised that he would investigate the ethical considerations of #1 and #2 with Jerry Simpson, Associate Director for Workforce Development, and I would describe him as engaged to the possibility that #3 may have beneficial results for the NPS. I am expecting a return telephone call from Jerry during the week of Jan. 28.

Although Director Bomar did not have time in her schedule to meet with me, I was able to shake her hand and introduce myself to her in the reception area while she was taking a short break from her scheduled meetings.

Congressional Subcommittee Staff
I had separate meetings with:

• Thomas Lillie, Republican staff member, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on National Parks
• David Brooks, senior counsel (majority), U.S. Senate Subcommittee on National Parks
• David Watkins and Leslie Ann Duncan, legislative staff (majority), U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
• James Streeter, Casey Hammond, and Jason Knox, Republican legislative staff, U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

National Parks Conservation Association
I met briefly with Tom Kiernan, NPCA president, and for a longer time with Craig Obey, vice president for government affairs, and Laura Loomis, senior director of government affairs. We discussed a conceptual fund raising initiative I have that has the potential to improve operational staffing levels in the NPS. They indicated they would give some thought to my proposal to see if and/or how it might fit with NPCA's goals.

ANPR Position on Personal Firearms in the National Park System

ANPR has taken a firm position in opposition to proposed changes to the regulations concerning personal firearms in parks. Forty-seven U. S. senators signed on to a letter to the Interior secretary requesting that he revise the current regulations found at 36 CFR 2.4. When there appeared to be no action on the letter, Senator Coburn of Oklahoma proposed an amendment to a federal lands omnibus bill that would prevent the secretary from enforcing any regulations that are more restrictive than the individual state laws the parks are found in.

ANPR’s Board of Directors believe that federal law and regulations are all established through a process open to the societal input of individual citizens. Since the creation of the NPS by congressional act in 1916, it seems clear by the language Congress used that lands and waters administered by the NPS would be regulated for different purposes than other federal lands, providing citizens with unique opportunities than they might not encounter otherwise. The Service’s statutory mandate for preservation of natural and cultural resources as stated in the Organic Act is its fundamental purpose and highest priority.

Any official position of ANPR is voted on by the Board of Directors. In this case the original position was adopted on a 8-3 vote. About two weeks later a replacement position with slightly modified wording was offered and passed on a 8-2-1 vote.

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Volunteers Needed

ANPR is in great need for members to volunteer for important membership functions. We are not running efficiently due to a lack of willingness to do the Association’s work, both social and professional. Some of the positions needed are Exhibitors Coordinator, Membership Assistants, Regular Raffle Coordinator, Super Raffle Assistant, Rendezvous Judge, Merchandise Sales Coordinator, Fund Raising Committee, Election Committee, Board Reorganization Committee and Rendezvous Program Co-Chairs.

Find out more details:

Scholarships Offered

The purpose of the William Supernaugh Rendezvous Scholarship Fund is to provide an opportunity for an ANPR member to experience a Ranger Rendezvous and learn about the Association of National Park Rangers. The eligibility criteria include that you’ve never attended a Ranger Rendezvous before, that you are able to stay for the entire conference duration, and a written description of what contribution you intend to make to ANPR. The scholarships pay for registration fees, lodging and up to $500 for transportation to and from the Rendezvous.

For more details:

Other Board Votes

The Board of Directors voted 10-0, with one not voting, to accept a one-year contract with Teresa Ford to continue providing ANPR with membership services not to exceed $14,000 for 2008.

The board also voted on three proposed Rendezvous 2008 theme statements. The winner is Being Green Means More Than Just Wearing Green! It received six votes.

An agreement and contract was reached with Dan Moses to continue his services as overall Rendezvous site coordinator for $2,500 for this year.