What’s After ‘Life?’ Habitat Council Members Provide the Proof

That true tale is one of many such success stories scattered among members of RMEF’s Habitat Council. As co-chair Nancy Holland recently stated, “We are the investors of the RMEF.” Her words ring true. All RMEF members, regardless of their membership level, certainly have a stake in supporting conservation work to benefit elk and elk country, but for members of the Habitat Council it truly is an investment. They reach that level by contributing a minimum of $10,000 to the organization. 

Their donations are matched and even exceeded by their passion and dedication. Several Habitat Council members, at a recent three-day outing designed specifically for them in Phoenix, shared their sentiments after being asked, “Why are you here?” Here are some of their words:

“I put this note at the bottom of the sheet (at his first RMEF banquet years ago),’If you need any help, call me.’ I got a call the next morning and have been involved ever since. This is the organization I have chosen because our beliefs are very similar. I think it’s necessary we protect the land and animals. It’s wonderful what we’ve done to bring kids outside. That’s my testimony.”

“Tomorrow, you’ll have the privilege to meet the smallest Life Member of the RMEF, and that’s my now eight year old grandson. He was one pound, seven ounces at birth. And that’s why.”

“I want to touch the life of a child. I want them to know what God has done for them. The Lord spoke to my heart.”

"There’s a wonderful group of people that instilled in me a passion to take care of the land for our children and take care of the critters. I have come to love RMEF.”

“This is family and we do this for the future. We have put our hard-earned money into this. This is an investment into the future for what is near and dear to us.”

The Habitat Council Meeting & Retreat in Phoenix, Arizona, was one of several annual gatherings arranged for members of the Habitat Council. Another takes place at Elk Camp, RMEF’s annual convention, scheduled for December 4-7, 2014, in Las Vegas. Those on hand in Phoenix came together from all over the country—Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, along with RMEF staffers from California, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina and Washington.

Welcome reception and dinner at Camelback Ranch Stadium, Spring Training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Speakers included RMEF President/CEO David Allen, RMEF Chairman of the Board Lee Swanson and Habitat Council co-chairs Nancy and Howard Holland. Former major league pitcher Rick Sutcliffe and San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy were special guests who shared baseball stories and took part in a good-hearted roast.

Sunday:

Habitat Council meeting

• Mission Update
• State of the RMEF 
• Q & A
• Testimonials
• Discussion of upcoming events 
• Presentation and discussion of Habitat Council strategic plan
• Reports on smaller Habitat Council events in California, Colorado, Missouri and Wisconsin

Lunch on the patio via Palm Court Restaurant
Reception and dinner at LON’s at The Hermosa

Monday:

Desert Jeep tour at the Tonto National Forest

Golf at the TPC Scottsdale

Dinner at the Desert Botanical Garden

The Habitat Council’s 2014 Summer Meeting and Retreat will take place in Vancouver, Washington, while the 2015 summer gathering is scheduled for Park City, Utah.

To become an RMEF member, go here. For more information about the Habitat Council, call 800-CALL-ELK.