Introduction

Since the Affiliate development team meetings in the fall of 2002 and subsequent introduction of the Affiliate Program at the Centennial Friends conference in Washington D.C. in 2003, the Affiliate program has grown to over 110 groups nationwide (See Affiliate member list). From Florida to Washington, Massachusetts to Texas, Friends have joined together to show their support for each other and for a better future for refuges and the Refuge System.

Why Create an Affiliate Program?

The National Wildlife Refuge System is in crisis. Staffing shortages are growing and funding for key conservation programs is drying up. The NWRA is working to build a powerful national network of Friends and individuals to fight for the needs of the Refuge System. The Friends Affiliate Program is a way that Friends groups as a whole can stand together as a force for the Refuge System. The Affiliate program also provides groups with benefits such as web-mail services for new and developing groups, as well as discounts to Friends events and workshops.

The purpose of the Affiliate program is to:

• Enhance communication among Friends groups in order to effectively inform and mobilize support for local and national refuge issues by becoming members of the NWRA Advocacy Network
• Provide Friends the tools to build effective relationships with their local and national representatives
• Build the NWRA's capacity as experienced and effective advocates for Friends, refuges and the Refuge System by sustaining its education, outreach and lobbying missions

The Refuge Association is now offering its Friends Affiliate Program at no charge. Even better, when your group joins the Affiliate program, all your members are entitled to a free one-year membership to the NWRA. And beginning in October, members will receive Wildlife Refuge, our new 90-page glossy magazine, which will chronicle the top threats to the Refuge System, feature stories on the exemplary work of refuge Friends and staff, and include beautiful images of the Refuge System. Wildlife Refuge will bring the world of refuges into the homes of refuge supporters throughout the country.

Structure

The structure of the Affiliate Program is designed to be ground up, representational and built upon the democratic strengths of grassroots organizations. Groups join as whole organizations. Our goal is to make every Friends and refuge support group an Affiliate member of the NWRA. The NWRA is building an Advocacy Network. You identify one representative for your group. In turn, each state chooses a State Coordinator who is in charge of contacting Friends within their area when action is needed.

No previous legislative experience is needed, just a desire to influence refuge funding and policy in accordance with the principles and positions of the NWRA. Materials will be provided and opportunities to learn how to become an effective advocate will be offered throughout your involvement with the Affiliate Advocacy Network.

Your Commitment

As an Affiliate member and member of the Advocacy Network, you and your group will stand as a supporter of the NWRA and communicate with your elected officials regarding issues important to your refuge and the Refuge System. Your involvement simply requires you to make an effort to get to know and develop a working relationship with your Congressman and Senators. You will be asked to participate in conference calls and phone trees when necessary, at which time you will be asked to contact the Senators or Congressman representing your state or district, as well as other Affiliate Advocacy Network participants.

Please help us build national momentum for the Refuge System. Join the Friends Affiliate Program and sign up to have your members receive their free NWRA memberships and copies of Wildlife Refuge. Please fill out and send in our Affiliate application.

Desiree Sorenson-Groves , Director of Grassroots Outreach will contact you soon afterwards to answer any questions that you or members of your group may have regarding the Affiliate program Affiliate Action Network and individual NWRA memberships.

(return to top)