In 2013 I received an invitation and attended my first Lehigh Valley Chapter SCI event. My wife and I were fresh off our first destination hunting trip to South Africa the year before and were still excited from the adventure. The banquet was nothing short of amazing. I was taken back by the comradery and enthusiasm in the room and was happy to be spending time with others that shared my same passions. The excitement got the best of me and I found myself with my hand in the air. I purchased another African safari that evening and never looked back.
I couldn’t wait for the banquet to come around again and when it did, I was invited to sit at the board of director’s table. It was at that time that I began to learn ALL that LVSCI does and who they support. I found out about their education programs that help introduce our youth to the world of hunting. I learned how they wholeheartedly support those who have served through their veteran’s programs and most of all I came to realize how much they do to protect our right to hunt. The right that is such a big part of my life and something I could just not live without. That night I made a decision to get involved and to this day I am so thankful I did.
A few months later I made an application to join the board and was elected to a position. I told them I would like to get involved with the auction items and started a tutelage under Jim Shenk, the auction chairman at the time. I attended the national convention in Las Vegas that year and began meeting people from around the world and the following year I took over the auction chairman job. For 7 years I have been working to try to present the best auction I could. I have made friendships that span the globe and learned so much about SCI and hunting in faraway places. I owe so much to LVSCI and am proud to serve as your president.
We as hunters are under attack. There is a constant threat to our right to hunt and organizations like SCI are critical to preserving it. I encourage everyone to get involved. We are always looking for new board members with fresh ideas and a willingness to volunteer. I promise if you do you will not be disappointed. I look forward to meeting as many members as I possibly can and look forward to seeing all of you at the banquet in March.
Sincerely,
Bob Newland
LVSCI President
huntNewLand@gmail.com