There are a number of options for Chapter members to get involved in a permanent volunteer role with BHA, regardless of your background or hunting/angling experience. 

As of November 2019, the Chapter is looking to expand its Board, add Regional Director Positions, and implement Member-led committees and a Habitat Watch Program to better reach membership with BHA events and initiatives focused on outdoor skills-building and R3 efforts, membership expansion, Chapter sponsorship, habitat improvement projects, and mission-driven policymaking activities. 

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Chapter, read descriptions of the positions below and learn more about the current committees with membership availability and Chapter operations by following this link Chapter Operations and Committees.

Once you’ve had a chance to learn more, fill out this questionnaire Chapter Leader Survey , and a Chapter volunteer will contact you to follow up

California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

Description of Roles and Responsibilities

The success of the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers depends on the engagement and activities of its membership and volunteers. As Chapter Leaders, Board Members have an enormous opportunity as well as responsibility to positively impact the future of our public lands through harnessing the enthusiasm of our membership base to help ensure our local, state, and national objectives are achieved.

While each Board Member’s particular focus will differ, basic minimum guidelines for participation are as follows:

• Engagement on Basecamp.

Basecamp is the primary communication platform on which Board Members discuss ideas, provide information and updates on initiatives, and conduct general business. As such, Board Members are expected to be aware of what is being communicated here at all times, and to contribute their own insights. In general (i.e. while not on vacation, sick, etc.) Basecamp should be treated with the same level of priority as an important email account. Check it three times a week at an absolute minimum, respond within 48 hours to any question directed towards you, and keep the rest of the Board up to date on your activities on behalf of CA BHA.

• Spearhead Initiatives and Events

The California BHA Board is segmented into multiple Committees, and as such there are a range of potential leadership positions and areas of focus where Board Members can apply their skills and interests. At a minimum, Board Members are expected to either:

1. Serve as an Officer;
2. Chair a Committee or Major Initiative; or

This will involve taking ownership of the Committee goals, setting agendas and call schedules, keeping Committee members on track towards objectives, updating the wider board on progress and initiatives, and collaborating with other Committees where necessary. Major initiatives that involve continually coordinating a substantial number of volunteers are also covered here, including the Habitat Watch Program. Chairing committees or major initiatives will often require assistance in event planning and roll-out to back the initiative.

1. Coordinate and lead at least 3 events in a year.

Events are the key to keeping BHA members connected, and as such are vital to achieving our goals. A wide range of events are possible, and range from Pint Nights to full Beers, Bands, and Public Lands celebrations. Many events will have an educational component. Board Members will be actively engaged in coordinating with active volunteers to plan and run these events, and for some Board Members it will be their primary focus. Note that variety is key – simply running three Pint Nights at the same brewery over the course of the year will not be considered an acceptable minimum level of contribution, whereas coordination of a statewide film fest would satisfy this requirement, even if delegating duties.

• Participate in Board and Committee Calls.

Board calls will be held on at least a monthly basis, generally on the first Wednesday of every month. Committee calls will be scheduled based on the availability of members. Active participation in these calls is essential to the function of the leadership team, and as such Board Members are expected to make every effort to attend. When this is not possible, the Board should be advised in advance. Board members should provide any topics for discussion on Board calls at least 2 days prior to the scheduled call.

• Provide monthly updates to the Board.

In furtherance of keeping open lines of communicating, understanding where efforts are being concentrated, and serving as a pipeline for upcoming project, Board Members will be expected to post monthly updates to Basecamp by the last day of the month outlining their contributions to serve as a source of accountability.

• Attend Local Events.

While not every Board Member will be in charge of planning events in his or her immediate area, all Board Members should attend nearby events whenever possible. Board Members are the face of BHA leadership in California, and interaction with membership is imperative.

• Endeavor to Attend Rendezvous.

Given the time, travel, and expense involved, this will not always be possible. That being understood, Rendezvous is an extraordinary opportunity to share best practices with other Chapter Leaders, attend valuable trainings, and connect with the wider BHA mission. BHA Board Members are encouraged, but not required, to attend.

California Chapter Regional Director:

The role a Regional Director (“RD”) plays within the California Chapter of BHA is critical as the Chapter expands its reach across the state and works to increase membership. While the Board and Officers attempt to reach all corners of the state,  there are undoubtedly gaps that require filling. A RD within any specific region acts as the coordinator, gate keeper and Chapter representative, and will report directly to the Committee Chairpersons and Board. Each new RD will be assigned a member of the Board within their, or a proximate, region who will serve as a point of contact with the Board and be available for orientation, questions and concerns.

RDs shall:

• Serve as an ex officio member of the Events/Fundraising Committee, and, at the Director’s option, the Policy and Communications Committees. A RD’s role within each Committee will be limited to participation to the extent necessary to facilitate the individual duties of the RD, and will not include those specific duties or requirements of Committee members as laid out by the Committee Chairperson and Board. RDs will have a vote in Committee matters and will be considered a “member” of each Committee for all other purposes.
• Plan, staff and help facilitate events in the region.
• Maintain communications with the Habitat Watch Coordinators (“HW Coordinators”) assigned to their region, or, if no such HW Coordinator is assigned to the region, the Policy Committee Chairperson. Such communications shall include (i) potential events brought to the RD by the HW Coordinator, to be coordinated by the RD through the Events/Fundraising Committee, and (ii) potential policy issues brought by the RD to the HW Coordinate, to be coordinated by the HW Coordinator through the Habitat Watch Program and/or Policy Committee.
• Update the Board on monthly calls and weekly via Basecamp.
• Facilitate upward communication of direct inquiries, updates, alerts, potential events or volunteers to respective Committees/Committee Chairs, leads and the Board, as and when needed.
• Facilitate downward communication, including preparation of region-specific communications in coordination with the Communications Committee to ensure members are informed of policy developments and action items, events in the region, volunteer opportunities and any other matters pertinent to CA BHA.
• Maintain communication with Region volunteers and stakeholders; identify volunteers and help build a base of volunteer members and a Regional Board (via Basecamp) for delegation of duties and specific events/projects.
• Maintain contact with decision-makers - through personal contact, encouraging member outreach and facilitating relationships with agency staff through the HW Coordinators.