This Week's Column

Looking for a President

Hello friends,

   This week's column is different than normal but very important.
   First things first, thirty seven years ago this week I started this column while working as the camp manager at Chimo Lodge and Outposts which is a fly in fishing camp with 11 outposts out of Red Lake, Ontario Canada.
   Dick and Molly Emerson owned and operated The Poynette Press and took me under their wing, even though I did not see my column until I got out of the Canadian bush in November. I self-syndicated in ‘92, lived on the edge both danger wise and especially financially and watched An Outdoorsman's Journal grow to a max of 73 papers, which is now 60. I would not trade the choice that I have made for any other job, in fact it is not a job, it's a way of life.
   This week's column is about something that is very important to me and an organization that has helped thousands of Wisconsin and upper Michigan youth enjoy outdoor experiences since KAMO "Kids And Mentors Outdoors" www.kamokids.org was born in 2007.
   I started KAMO by writing about an idea that I had where throughout Wisconsin, outdoor oriented chapters would help kids in their area become involved in outdoor activities. I have been President until May 1st of this year. KAMO has never more than a couple of hours off from my mind and our chapters in Lacrosse, Beaver dam. Poynette, Baraboo, New Lisbon and Florence are like one big family to me.
   In the beginning, though it was a lot of work to create a tax exempt status, bylaws, a board of directors, find realistic insurance and reach our goals which was to get kids outside, it was easy to find members for our organization. I hate to say it but in 2026, there are not as many volunteers as there were back in 2007.
   KAMO's core is very strong, and you can see in our monthly newsletter that we reach out to a lot of kids and our activities range from chapter to chapter and month to month. Fishing, picnics, campfires, hunting, educational experiences and camping are just a few examples as we do both one-on-one experiences and group events.
   Our board of directors is an example of really good people working together without any negativity. The reason that I am writing is that KAMO needs to fill the position of president and we are not having any luck. For myself, 19 years as president is enough and I think it is honest to say that any organization should see change at the top at least every 10 years. I would also like to say that in no way am I backing out of KAMO, we just need a new leader and that is what I am looking for, or at least trying with this column.
   Credentials required, a background check, an ability to work with and motivate people without being a boss or should I say being negative. A basic knowledge of finance, in other words keeping KAMO afloat financially. Making a point of getting to know the people in your chapters.
   We held our yearly "State Meeting" in Stevens Point in March and to be honest, no one had an idea of what we could do to find a new leader and that is why I am writing this.
   Topped only by being an outdoor writer for the last 37 years, being the founder and president of KAMO is my largest accomplishment and for the right person checking out this task could be something that you could truly love.
   We have two excellent vp's and I will help every step of the way as well. Thoughts by some members are that being KAMO president could be an excellent stepping stone in life or that a recently retired person with good energy, basic technological skills and a likeable personality, this position would be extremely positive and also a challenge.
   I have had hundreds of positive experiences due to my time in KAMO and made hundreds of friends at the same time.
   Our motto is Tradition Forward and I urge the right person to check us out by reaching out to me and we will take it from there after we see if we are on the same page.

   Let’s get this done!

   Sunset

An Outdoorsman's Journal