This will probably come off as a "curmudgeon" so first "get it out my yard!"
So, a bit of background so you understand when I call BS to some of these comments as I used to when I was young 35-50 and had words with co-workers about this kinda of issue. I grew up fishing River (80%) and Lakes (20%), now it had transitioned to the exact opposite. I am currently 63, I was a single dad for 2 years with full custody, I remarried which added 2 more kids (all boys), worked full time added overtime at times and travel. All the boys played sports, 3 played multiple, two played at advanced levels and on travel teams from cost to cost. 3 were in cub scouts (I as den leader, cub master) and 2 went into boys scouts (I was assistant scoutmaster and then scoutmaster for 11 years). I was a member of two fishing clubs and banquet chair/fund raiser for a local chair of a national fisheries organization. So... I call BS on any younger person that says they don't have the time to join or help. Sorry a married coworker (no kids) said she and her husband just didn't have the time and that was why they had a house keeper... I about lost my sh*t!!! We were the same age. I had two moms drop off boys at scouts saying they would be back after they got done at the gym or yoga class, they were talked to 1 pulled her boy and the other became a great leader!
I have watched and tried to understand why we are seeing clubs, faternal order, volunteer organization, and church's lose numbers. One thing comes up over and over, self not selfless. If you have 1 hour of "free time", what would you do with it, go to the gym etc. or teach a teenager how to tie flies? If you have knowledge to share but don't have access to youth how will you share it? Likewise, if you show up feeling that they are a bunch of grumpy old guys thinking you know it all or your way is the only right way then your approaching it wrong. Show up and ask questions nicely with respectful attitude, then just let the old guys ramble, you can hear a lot of wisdom. Many old guys get tired of young punks with stuck up attitudes, thinking they already know it all.
My wife and I were just having a discussion about volunteers at club meetings, here is the best way to learn and get involved, show up and ask "what can I do to help?" Not, "I am hear to volunteer but I will only do this..." then grumbling about the club or organization not being what they want. We recently had an event that the membership brought forward, the board agreed and provided funding and... then only 4 people (the normal showups and board members) volunteered to man the event, not even those that were pushing the event from the membership. All they were asked to do was show up and help.
Now onto current thinking, there are just way more activities available for kids, families and even old people (think pickleball). That is where we saw the reduction in boy scouts. Also, it seems that if you were not raised to volunteer or join, seeing all the positives, you see it more as work without pay or payoff than an opportunity to learn and grow.
Lastly, I always challenged my Eagle Scout candidates with the following, "As you grow up remember all the adults that volunteered their time, knowledge and equipment to share their knowledge with you, and give you these great experience. So, my challenge to you is for you to give back to the people coming after you and your kids."
I am willing to share even to the point of almost losing fishing/hunting buddies and causing tension within my own family. Because I shared a "secret fly" or "secret spot".
And what is REALLY frustrating is as much technology makes it easy to learn and share, so many of the young people will not even take enough time to send input to WDFW or Olympia (and YES it matters!). And they can do it all from their phones. So don't crybaby about not getting better fishing, access or seasons when all you do is bitch about it online! Get involved.
Stepping off my soap box and advice is free and not all views are approved by management
Me sitting on the porch waiting...
So, a bit of background so you understand when I call BS to some of these comments as I used to when I was young 35-50 and had words with co-workers about this kinda of issue. I grew up fishing River (80%) and Lakes (20%), now it had transitioned to the exact opposite. I am currently 63, I was a single dad for 2 years with full custody, I remarried which added 2 more kids (all boys), worked full time added overtime at times and travel. All the boys played sports, 3 played multiple, two played at advanced levels and on travel teams from cost to cost. 3 were in cub scouts (I as den leader, cub master) and 2 went into boys scouts (I was assistant scoutmaster and then scoutmaster for 11 years). I was a member of two fishing clubs and banquet chair/fund raiser for a local chair of a national fisheries organization. So... I call BS on any younger person that says they don't have the time to join or help. Sorry a married coworker (no kids) said she and her husband just didn't have the time and that was why they had a house keeper... I about lost my sh*t!!! We were the same age. I had two moms drop off boys at scouts saying they would be back after they got done at the gym or yoga class, they were talked to 1 pulled her boy and the other became a great leader!
I have watched and tried to understand why we are seeing clubs, faternal order, volunteer organization, and church's lose numbers. One thing comes up over and over, self not selfless. If you have 1 hour of "free time", what would you do with it, go to the gym etc. or teach a teenager how to tie flies? If you have knowledge to share but don't have access to youth how will you share it? Likewise, if you show up feeling that they are a bunch of grumpy old guys thinking you know it all or your way is the only right way then your approaching it wrong. Show up and ask questions nicely with respectful attitude, then just let the old guys ramble, you can hear a lot of wisdom. Many old guys get tired of young punks with stuck up attitudes, thinking they already know it all.
My wife and I were just having a discussion about volunteers at club meetings, here is the best way to learn and get involved, show up and ask "what can I do to help?" Not, "I am hear to volunteer but I will only do this..." then grumbling about the club or organization not being what they want. We recently had an event that the membership brought forward, the board agreed and provided funding and... then only 4 people (the normal showups and board members) volunteered to man the event, not even those that were pushing the event from the membership. All they were asked to do was show up and help.
Now onto current thinking, there are just way more activities available for kids, families and even old people (think pickleball). That is where we saw the reduction in boy scouts. Also, it seems that if you were not raised to volunteer or join, seeing all the positives, you see it more as work without pay or payoff than an opportunity to learn and grow.
Lastly, I always challenged my Eagle Scout candidates with the following, "As you grow up remember all the adults that volunteered their time, knowledge and equipment to share their knowledge with you, and give you these great experience. So, my challenge to you is for you to give back to the people coming after you and your kids."
I am willing to share even to the point of almost losing fishing/hunting buddies and causing tension within my own family. Because I shared a "secret fly" or "secret spot".
And what is REALLY frustrating is as much technology makes it easy to learn and share, so many of the young people will not even take enough time to send input to WDFW or Olympia (and YES it matters!). And they can do it all from their phones. So don't crybaby about not getting better fishing, access or seasons when all you do is bitch about it online! Get involved.
Stepping off my soap box and advice is free and not all views are approved by management
Me sitting on the porch waiting...
very different world.
) with folks new to the sport or with other charitable ff organizations. I’d give up time on the water for that but not for meetings, general socializing, etc..
