New Mexico
MDF Returns to New Mexico
Santa Fe’s Northern New Mexico Chapter joins the battle for mule deer conservation!
June 2010
By Scott Hampel
As many of you may know, MDF had a presence within the state of New Mexico in past years. Unfortunately, with MDF staff changes in 2005 and disinterest of many volunteers, previous chapters dissipated. But that changed in February of 2007 as I was checking my inbox and came across an e-mail from a gentleman by the name of Jacob Tolk of Santa Fe. Jake had visited the MDF website, found my e-mail address, and sent me a message inquiring about the possibility to start a chapter in Santa Fe, N.M.
I contacted Jake via e-mail and held many follow-up phone calls. In addition, I also sent Jake some initial information such as magazines, MDF policy statements, a copy of the committee guide, and chapter charter application. Because of my own the busy banquet schedule in Colorado, Wyoming, and Missouri, I was unable to get to Santa Fe quickly. But Jake and I remained in contact and we scheduled an initial meeting date of April 4, 2007. Jake began to find some additional volunteers to have in attendance at the first meeting.
Upon arriving at the meeting in April, I discovered that Jake had contacted some local volunteers including Frank Godrey, James Godrey, Jesse Godfrey and Bill Oakley as well as invited some New Mexico Game and Fish Department employees, including Darrel Weybright, Barry Hale and Donald Auer, to join us. That initial meeting was held and the chapter was underway.
To begin activities, the chapter contacted Sportsman’s Warehouse in Albuquerque, N.M., and secured a firearm to raffle. Throughout the spring and summer, the volunteers worked to raise some initial funds with this raffle. The chapter also contacted Walmart in Espanola and Santa Fe and was able to obtain $1500 through Walmart’s grant application process. Additionally, the Northern New Mexico Chapter was able to begin selling raffle tickets for the 2007 New Mexico Lt. Governor Deer Enhancement License. The chapter was off to a great start and a banquet date of February 23, 2008 was set. (Coincidentally, this date conflicted with the Casper, WY banquet. After contacting Scott Brownell of Casper, a decision was made to have Scott Hampel travel to Santa Fe, N.M., to get this new chapter off to a great start. Bob Meulengracht traveled to Casper to be present at Casper banquet.)
The initial banquet was held at the Towa Gold Club in Pojoaque, N.M., and it was anticipated that the event would be “sold out”. As it turned out, the event was, in fact, “sold out” with 145 people in attendance in the rather small golf course clubhouse. It was packed! For an additional complexity and hurdle to overcome, the chapter did not gain access to the facility until 2 pm with the doors opening at 5 pm. With some planning, preparation, and hustling, this tough obstacle was overcome and the banquet was held raising $16,666 with a 53.4% efficiency rating. This performance allowed the chapter to received two awards at the 2009 MDF National Convention including:
- Highest Net – New Chapter – 2nd Place
- Highest Efficiency – New Chapter – 2nd Place
The Northern New Mexico Chapter also took “ownership” of the 2008 New Mexico Lt. Governor Deer Enhancement License raffle raising $14,630. Scott Hampel also encouraged Jake to become New Mexico’s state chair so that he could assist in getting more activities taking place within the state.
In 2009, the chapter gained more volunteers and moved its event to the Inn & Spa at Loretto in downtown Santa Fe. Although the banquet was held at a much nicer venue, the downturn in our economy and busy schedules of the volunteers resulted in lower attendance and lower net than reported in 2008. On the upside, the chapter did allocate the funds raised in 2008 to a water development project located on federal lands in New Mexico Game Management Unit 2C in northwest New Mexico. This project was completed by the BLM in 2009.
As the chapter “geared up” for its 2010 event, there were more changes that occurred within the chapter. First, Jake Tolk was encouraged to apply for a position on the MDF National Board of Directors. During convention of 2010, the MDF Board elected Jake to become a new member of the board. Jake’s background in financial planning and investment will be a needed asset. Christian Andersson, who was a key volunteer in helping in 2009, stepped up to take on the role of Chapter Chair. The chapter hosted its 3rd annual event on March 20th at the Inn & Spa at Loretto. Through Christian’s contacts, the core group of chapter volunteers continued to grow. As a result, the banquet was ‘sold out’ three weeks in advance of the banquet. The banquet had 168 people in attendance. Preliminary financials show the chapter eclipsing its 2008 efforts. Once again the chapter will be looking for a larger facility in 2011 as it simply anticipates needing more room as it continues to grow. Other good news is that the chapter continues to sell raffle tickets for the 2010 New Mexico Lt. Governor’s Deer Enhancement License. It is anticipated that the chapter will have over $19,000 net revenue in 2010 once the deer license raffle is complete. With tough economic conditions still impacting our country, this is one of the few chapters that have shown increases in attendance and net revenue over 2009. Congratulations Northern New Mexico Chapter!
The chapter volunteers that “make it happen” in Santa Fe include Christian Andersson, Maggie Andersson, John Archuleta, Cindy Archuleta, Selena Archuleta, Karen Charleston, Chris Connerly, Frank Godfrey, James Godfrey, Jesse Godfrey, Judith Godfrey, Julie Gutierrez, John Haynie, Patricia Haynie, Judd Keene, David Keene, Jeremy Martinez, Bernadette Peterson, Krysta Peterson, Steven Peterson Sr., Steven Peterson Jr., Reggie Quintana, Jacob Tolk, Alexis Tolk and Patrick Trujillo.
On a more personal note, traveling to Santa Fe, N.M., has allowed me to reunite with Karen Charleston of Albuquerque, N.M. Karen and I are former colleagues where we worked on a variety of projects for American Management Systems from 1989 – 2005 before I became a staff member of MDF. I’ve recruited Karen who graciously helps me and the Northern New Mexico Chapter at the cashier/registration table each year at its annual event. Karen now works as a contractor to the USFS. Thank you Karen for your help!