National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR)

Situation:

The Forest Service currently faces challenges to its responsibility for National Forest administration, forestry research, state and private forestry, and international forestry not seen since the early days of its formation. Lack of public confidence in the legitimacy of forestry, both as science and practice, is providing fertile ground for ideology and political expediency to dictate solutions to the forest resource issues presently facing the Country.

Purpose:

The complexity of natural resource management options now and in the future calls for a better focus of experience and science. A non-profit, non-partisan, professional and science-based organization consisting of Forest Service retirees and others with germane training and experience is hereby established. Collectively, its members would provide sound and timely professional evaluation of critical issues involving forestry and its related specialties.

It will be able effectively to bring to bear the combined knowledge and experience in natural resource management, forestry research, and administrative capabilities residing in Forest Service retirees. It will engage in ongoing scientific, political, economic and social discussions concerning forestry and forest-based resources. It could assist the Forest Service in improving its overall performance and serve as a professional resource to advise the agency and other similar entities.

Operational Considerations:

The proposed organization shall observe and attend to current natural resource matters. It will support agency positions where appropriate and object to those that deviate from more appropriate scientific or operational practices. The organization will perform a constructive purpose as long as the objections are grounded to a sense of duty to the long-term public interest, as well as to the established mission of the Forest Service.

The audience for information provided by the organization on any given issue can be the Forest Service, the Congress, the public and other professional groups interested and active in management of natural resource.

The Forest Service, while a professional organization, must be responsive to elected and appointed government as well as interest groups. NAFSR must deal in this political arena and still provide the best pertinent information to the general public, the Forest Service and interest groups concerned with natural resource issues.

The organization will define issues and provide a balanced professional response. It will select critical issues that it believes are not being addressed adequately, organize a qualified team or teams to evaluate each issue and present alternatives for resolution.
 

CHARTER

The National Association of Forest Service Retirees is a national, nonprofit organization of former Forest Service employees and associates with germane training, interests and experience. Members of the Association possess a unique body of knowledge, expertise and experience in the management of the National Forests, other public lands, forestry research, state and private forestry assistance, agency history, laws and regulations, and international forestry. They will actively devote themselves to contribute to understanding and resolving natural resource issues through periodic review and critiques of agency policies and programs.

The Association is the only private national organization dedicated to promoting the statutory responsibilities of the Forest Service and other natural resource agencies.  By virtue of its inherent experience and ability, the Association will provide objective, non-bureaucratic, and non-ideological perspectives of forestry and other related land and natural resource issues.

The body of the Association consists of:
 

•  General membership consisting of Forest Service retirees, who are the voting members, and
•  Associate members who are retirees of related federal agencies, as well as others who are scientifically or technically trained.


All members have the right to suggest issues to be addressed by NAFSR, and to provide inputs into issues the association may address. NAFSR will communicate with the members regarding action taken.

The Association is organized with an initially-named Board of Directors (henceforth: Board) of retired Forest Service employees. For following vacancies, the Board Chair will appoint a nominating committee for existing and anticipated Board vacancies, whose nominees will be approved by a majority vote of the Board. There shall be at least one Director from each of the Forest Service Regional areas, chosen by a plurality vote of the voting members, and other at-large members as may be determined by the Board.

The initially-named Board members* will serve two-year terms, after which NAFSR elections will be held. One-fourth of the initially elected members will serve a one year term, and one-fourth each for two, three, and four year terms. Terms of initially-named Board members will be determined by random selection. Subsequent Board members will be elected for four-year terms

The Board will appoint one member acting as legal counsel, and one Executive Facilitator from the Washington D.C. area who will facilitate communication between Board members, the general membership, agencies and other interested parties, as well as organizing the drafting of issue papers. A Board Chair will be appointed for two-year terms by vote of the Board members.

The Board will:
 

1. Identify issues of importance needing action by the Association
2. Be responsible for assembling a response team
3. Manage the response team's efforts
4. Approve the content of the response
5. Target the response to appropriate audiences
6. Appoint, and determine appropriate compensation for,officers and staff as the situation warrants. Officers must be Forest Service retirees.


The Charter may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors

The Association wholly supports the Forest Service and its basic mission, but it is completely independent of the Forest Service and the current political positions of any particular administration. The Association supports and encourages the application of sound forestry and other land management practices within existing statutes, while adhering to its Statement of Principles.

National Association of Forest Service Retirees Statement of Principles

Regarding the Operation of the Forest Service in the Management of the National Forests, its Forestry Research, State and Private and International Forestry Programs Responsibilities.

I.  The National Forests are national assets that contribute to the social, economic and spiritual well being of the American people. Collectively, they have served as a model for forest management throughout the world.

II.  The National Forest lands constitute a heritage of every citizen and belong to every American. They should be managed to contribute to the economic and social health of the local communities within and surrounding them.

III.  National Forest lands should be managed as good neighbors of surrounding land owners and communities. Management should respect private property rights and represent the state of the art in resource protection and land management practices.

IV.  The statutory concepts of Multiple Use and Sustained Yield drive the National Forests. These concepts ensure that management of these lands best meets the needs of the American people. Values and needs change. It is the genius of these concepts that provides for an evolution in the balance of uses and values with changing times. These concepts of Multiple Use and Sustained Yield serve as a model for management of forests wherever they may contribute to the well-being of people.

V.  The National Forest Management Act specifies a land management planning process that provides a rational, systematic method for obtaining public involvement and scientific and professional analysis for adjusting land management to changing needs, uses and values. Land management land classifications adjustments made outside the planning process should be the subject of Congressional action.

VI.  Public support of the Forest Service and its activities is essential. The American people are entitled to have input to its activities, with all public lands overseen and managed by highly professional and respected people.

VII.  Congress and the Administration need credible, professional advice to grapple with the complex issues surrounding management of the National Forests and other natural resource considerations.

VIII. Forestry research and other Forest Service programs must be closely related to achieve state-of-the-art forest management. Research must be sufficiently independent to maintain credibility while respecting the decision-making responsibility of Forest Service program managers.

IX.  These Principles are best achieved by providing the Forest Service with strong, professional, non-partisan leadership.
 
 
 

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Membership:

Members:     Individual Forest Service retirees
                      Associate Members  Retirees from other related Federal Agencies
                      and others having scientific and technical backgrounds

Board of Directors: Governing body of the Association comprised of Forest Service retirees

          Officers: Appointed by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board

          Legal Counsel:   Responsible to and appointed by the Board - Jim Perry

Directors:

Northern Rocky Mountain   - James Freeman
Rocky Mountain                  - Robert Averill
Southwestern                       - Louis Romero
Intermountain                       - Jack Lavin
Pacific Southwest                 - Doug Leisz
Pacific Northwest                 - John Marker
Southeast                             - Ralph Mumme
Eastern                                - James Brewer
Alaska                                 - John Sandor
Washington DC                   - George Leonard
At Large                              - Stan Krugman
At Large                              - R. Max Peterson
At Large                              - Richard Pfilf
At Large                              - F. Dale Robertson
At Large                              - Robert Spivey

From the DC Area:  Executive Director Darrel Kenops

Standing Committees:  Established by the Board and responsible to the Board

Ad Hoc Committees:    Established by the Board and responsible to the Board

Dues:   The established dues are the minimum annual amounts. Members
             may choose to contribute more than the established minimums.

        Membership                - $25
        Associate (Non-Voting) Membership     - $15