We are an active organization with lots of ways for you to get involved. We invite you join one of these committees (listed in alphabetical order).
A brief description of the committee's purpose.
If being a member of this committee interests you email us at or speak to the Committee Chair or our President at one of our meetings.
Since most of our new members join us by "word-of-mouth" or by attending one of our events, this committee is active all through the year. We usually have one or two events each year during which we offer free membership for the remainder of the year. In 2017 we signed up 3 new members at our "Tree Farmer of the Year" tour. In the past, most members who signed up this way have renewed their membership the following year so we consider this program a success.
To retain our membership we make personal calls, send personal reminder and thank-you letters, and visit our members. Finally, each quarterly issue of the Bark contains a "President's Message" which is often used to help retain and recruit members.
The OSU Forestry Extension produces an online newsletter called "the Needle" which describes upcoming events in Linn and neighboring counties. A link to this newsletter would be useful on our website. We collect contact information on prospective members at each event and get them signed up for Needle.
We place announcements of upcoming events in the local paper (Albany Democrat Herald) and try to follow that up with an article after the event.
We advertise our chapter and events in our quarterly newsletter called the "Bark" and write follow-up articles on these events.
We make mass mailings and/or emails to members and prospective members about events. This method is losing its effectiveness. I feel that most people are just overwhelmed with email solicitations.
We have not done much with social media (facebook et. al.) but recognize that this method may be successful.
This committee is responsible to advise the board and membership to provide information about past and upcoming activities for publication in the Quarterly Bark.
Due dates for information to the editor of the Bark are: March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15.
Robert Mealy Endowment Committee was established to identify the possibilities for educational opportunities to foster the ideals of forest management and education that Bob promoted all during his life.
Committee members; Mary Brendle, Sherm Sallee, and Bill Bowling are looking at all the possibilities for educational opportunities to foster Bob’s vision.
The committee has identified one option involving the city of Sweet Home. They have met with members of the city council and others in hopes of naming a new park in Bob’s honor. The Park would be located adjacent to the new city hall and would be planted with all native Oregon trees and shrubs with each having a placard identifying it. The park would also have a kiosk identifying Bob and all his accomplishments. The procedure is in its beginning stages and it will take some time to complete.
The committee asks that you speak to your local representative and make him aware of the effort. Your support is important!
The seedling sale committee works together to coordinate and put on the seedling sale held every year in February at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center. Members meet several times per year and work with the committee chairperson to select and secure plants to be sold, coordinate publicity and arrange for volunteers to help set up, take down and work at the seedling sale.
The seedling sale is a fundraiser for our chapter, with proceeds going towards local 4-H forestry programs and college scholarships for Linn County students seeking a forestry or natural resources related degree.
The Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Committee is responsible for identifying each year's nominee, completing the application process and facilitating the field tour of the applicant's tree farm.
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