Project Definition

There have been a lot of questions, issues, and concerns with regard to projects. Some chapters have struggled to define projects, some have drifted from our mission and policies, and in some cases, projects have started without the knowledge, input, or consent of National NFC. The following is a summary of how to best define projects.    

Project Definition

While National NFC can provide some general guidance and formal guidelines, as well as generic recommendations in regard to projects, in most cases we are not in a position to identify specific opportunities in any given state due to location and familiarity. 

National NFC knows that information signage, fish viewing events, Holistic Stream Assessment/Restoration, riparian planting, habitat restoration, assisting state and federal fish and game agencies with e-fishing, temperature monitoring, eDNA surveys, stream clean-ups, attending shows, etc., are all engaging and impactful.  What we don’t know is where to best do it unless one of us happens to live in the state or are very familiar with the state.

The best way to get a general understanding of what chapters can do, and are doing, is to review the CAMPAIGNS page on our website.  This is where we document what chapters are doing, where they are doing it, how they are doing it, and how the resource is benefitting by our work.  This information can be used to direct chapter initiatives with the chapter identifying specific local opportunities.

Another thing to consider is balancing events/tasks and projects.  The former take hours or days to complete while the latter take weeks or months to come to fruition.  These are two very different undertakings, and the most engaged, stable, and impactful chapters do a mix of both.    

While an event/task centric approach will put wins on the board, provide regular content for blogging and social media, and engage chapter members, it tends to leave a lot of holes in the calendar.  Lack of activity results in a loss of interest.  Loss of interest results in chapter unrest and defections.  Events and tasks also have a short shelf life as they are one-and-done.  As a result, they do not typically result in board member recruitment, memberships, donations, merch sales, media exposure, grants, awards, etc. 

Conversely, while a project centric approach will be slow to put wins on the board, it can provide regular content for blogging and social media via status updates.  It also helps keep chapter members engaged and fills holes in the calendar.  Projects have a long shelf life as they are ongoing.  They also result in board member recruitment, lasting partnerships, memberships, donations, merch sales, media exposure, grants, and awards. 

It is important for chapters to have both events/tasks and projects going on at all times.  Events and tasks should be driven by need and opportunity. Depending on the size and engagement level of the chapter, a single project with random events/tasks is often sufficient. Rarely does a chapter need or is able to execute more than two large projects at a time.