How to build an SCI Chapter

[RLD]

So we are working on relaunching the SCI chapter in Toronto. I have been asked to lend a hand.

I am curious what advice members might have for us to make the chapter a success.

What kind of things do you appreciate and value from your own chapter? What kind of things irk you?

Any advice on how to make this chapter excel and grow would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MacJenkins]

Biggest thing that Irk'ed me when I supported our local chapter was what specific cause is the funds raised going to. Never could get an answer. Vast majority just got kicked up to National. I personnaly think SCI is more of a hunting club. Which is fine, I just don't see much value donating "a lot" to them. Things certainly could have changed in the last decade or so. I don't know.

I get a whole lot more satisfaction donating to DU. I've seen all the conservation work they do nationaly, internationaly and right in my backyard. If needed I can get engineers, or biologists onsite to consult with a simple phone call in no time.

 

[K-man]

Be up front about your mission and the causes you support. Try to not place as much emphasis on the few who have achieved a “list” to be honored but instead about the people worldwide who benefit from legal sustained hunting. Your best results may be local laws/regulation changes. Good luck with the beginnings and keep us posted!

 

[mdwest]

@Philip Glass is the AH SME on this subject I believe.. Hopefully he'll see this thread soon and offer some advice.

 

[Tanner Lee]

Have a local mission, fund local projects, be transparent on funds. Have opportunities for volunteering in local projects.

Also local chapters are largely hunting clubs, so have group hunts. Utah chapter does pheasant and goose hunts each year. We have discussed the idea of group safaris in the future.

 

[Tanner Lee]

Also do local advocacy. Our board does a day up at the state capital each year and is always on standby to bring the hunters voice to the hill if some legislation is brought up.

 

[Art Lambart II]

You can also reach out to @CAustin, he is the president of our local Kansas City Chapter.

 

[Prysm]

Мы ценим и уважаем сплоченную команду и готовность поддерживать друг друга в проектах.
Четкая и прозрачная коммуникация с руководством и коллегами.
Возможность участвовать в инновационных инициативах и развивать профессиональные навыки.

 

[MontanaPat]

Biggest thing that Irk'ed me when I supported our local chapter was what specific cause is the funds raised going to. Never could get an answer. Vast majority just got kicked up to National. I personnaly think SCI is more of a hunting club. Which is fine, I just don't see much value donating "a lot" to them. Things certainly could have changed in the last decade or so. I don't know.

I get a whole lot more satisfaction donating to DU. I've seen all the conservation work they do nationaly, internationaly and right in my backyard. If needed I can get engineers, or biologists onsite to consult with a simple phone call in no time.

As a board member for our SW Montana SCI Chapter, I wanted to clarify a comment here for those interested in where local SCI funding goes, local chapter fundraising is the primary source of funding for activities at the local level. when chapters do fundraising banquets, hunt raffles or other activities, 70% of all funds raised remain at the local chapter level with 30% going to National SCI to support advocacy activities at the national and international level.

I agree that sharing on a regular basis how funding is used to support local activities with the chapter membership and those attending banquets is a critical part of chapter transparency. in 2025 our chapter supported several local initiatives, with our largest being a roughly $30,000 donation we made in conjunction with the Wild Sheep Foundation to support MT Fish Wildlife and Parks in purchasing new capture nets and equipment to support their efforts doing bighorn sheep capture, tagging and relocation here in SW Montana. We also support local youth hunting opportunities and education. Our chapter president along with members from the other three Montana chapters are a part of the Montana Outdoor Heritage Council which works on advocacy initiatives with our state legislators and FWP to address wolf hunting quotas and other key items to maintain public access for hunting and fishing. We also help local groups obtain grant funding from SCI National for projects.

Hope that helps clarify how chapters use their funding. I'm also personally interested to hear how other chapters keep their members engaged in ongoing activities so that members find value in participating at the local level versus just being a member of SCI National.