The chatter throughout Friday afternoon was about the morning’s business session. Attendees were vocal about how much they enjoyed the entire meeting. From the fireside chat to the Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne’s speech, to Dr. Scott Yaich’s presentation, the overall consensus was in – impressive.
2008 Convention attendees were blown away with the set, which provided the “duck lodge” ambiance to a line up of the organization and this country’s most influential habitat conservation speakers.
“The fireside chat was just excellent,” said Jane Bell, Missouri state chairman. “And Sec. Kempthorne’s speech was fantastic. He touched on everything [DU] does.”
Don Young, Bruce Lewis, Jim Kennedy and Wade Bourne sat down on the set and went through member-submitted questions, addressing the concerns that ranged from bio-fuels to the Wetlands For Tomorrow campaign updates. The informal approach toward addressing convention attendees was enjoyed by all. Some, like Jane Bell, will be looking to adopt that format for their state convention.
Greg Rhue, volunteer recruitment chairman, Greenville, N.C., mentioned how much he enjoyed the fireside chat.
“It was so natural,” Rhue explained. “They were just saying what came to mind, and it was such a relaxed atmosphere.”
While DU’s top dogs impressed the audience, Sec. Kempthorne’s speech was just as lasting. Attendees were blown away with his speech and felt that the Secretary understood what DU was all about.
After such an excellent morning of meetings, attendees are looking forward to Saturday’s sessions and reflecting on the overall convention.
“I wish all volunteers could come and experience this,” Rhue said. “It’s just so invigorating, enlightening, exciting and keeps your blood pressure going. If more DU members attended this convention, there would be so many more fired up people out there. I’m hooked.”