Proposal For High School Fishing Club

[Christian M]

Hey Guys, for the past couple years Ive been kicking around the idea of starting an afterschool fishing club in the high school where I teach. I finally approached the principal about it and he told me I have to write a proposal that will then go to the Board of Education to get approved or declined.

 

The District I work in is considered Low Income, but the surrounding area is very rural. In fact, there are several freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams within 5 miles of these low income areas. All which hold trophy size Bass (LM & SM), Trout, Musky, Hybrid Striper, Pickeril and Catfish. There are also plenty of Crappy, Perch (yellow & white), & Sunfish. Two of these lakes are within walking distance of most of the towns residents. In short, there is plenty of fishable water that the locals need to be educated about.

 

I've never put together a project proposal of this nature before, but I would like to include as much factual and statistical information as possible. I would also like to include articles, stories, and/or testimonials of how fishing has helped improve and even change peoples lives, and will benifit the students lives as well as the surrounding environment.

 

Hopefully this will grow beyond a simple after school fishing club and will evolve into things like volunteer cleanup and assistace programs with the local DNR. Making the students and community members more environmentally friendly and ecologically conscious. In this era of "going green", I think its grass roots organizations like these that have the potential to snowball into much bigger things.

 

I could go on, but I will get to the point. I know that this is something that will need to start off small and may very well remain that way for quite some time. I know that many of the members of this site have experience starting successful clubs and organizations, including youth and community events.

 

What advice can you give me on writing this proposal to the Board of Education? Where are some good websites and resources to find information and statistics as far as high school/college fishing clubs and/or programs? Are there any stories that other members can share that may help in creating a proposal that the Board of Education will have a very hard time refusing?

[Nave]

I wish we had a teacher like you at my High School!

[Teal]

I would research and find other high schools in your region that have a fishing team/club and see exactly what you will be facing from the school board, what the red tape will be and be prepared with rebuttals for any issues.

I think i read somewhere that FishinCowboy has experience in coaching a fishing team. PM him or FishinCowgirl im sure they will tell you what they know.

[jhoffman]

I wish we had a teacher like you at my High School!

 

How do you know you dont? I work in a university and many of our students are shocked to find out I fish and hunt.

[tbone1993]

How do you know you dont? I work in a university and many of our students are shocked to find out I fish and hunt.

I wish more teachers expressed their personal interests or contacted their universities or high schools club.

[tbone1993]

Hey Guys, for the past couple years Ive been kicking around the idea of starting an afterschool fishing club in the high school where I teach. I finally approached the principal about it and he told me I have to write a proposal that will then go to the Board of Education to get approved or declined.

 

The District I work in is considered Low Income, but the surrounding area is very rural. In fact, there are several freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams within 5 miles of these low income areas. All which hold trophy size Bass (LM & SM), Trout, Musky, Hybrid Striper, Pickeril and Catfish. There are also plenty of Crappy, Perch (yellow & white), & Sunfish. Two of these lakes are within walking distance of most of the towns residents. In short, there is plenty of fishable water that the locals need to be educated about.

 

I've never put together a project proposal of this nature before, but I would like to include as much factual and statistical information as possible. I would also like to include articles, stories, and/or testimonials of how fishing has helped improve and even change peoples lives, and will benifit the students lives as well as the surrounding environment.

 

Hopefully this will grow beyond a simple after school fishing club and will evolve into things like volunteer cleanup and assistace programs with the local DNR. Making the students and community members more environmentally friendly and ecologically conscious. In this era of "going green", I think its grass roots organizations like these that have the potential to snowball into much bigger things.

 

I could go on, but I will get to the point. I know that this is something that will need to start off small and may very well remain that way for quite some time. I know that many of the members of this site have experience starting successful clubs and organizations, including youth and community events.

 

What advice can you give me on writing this proposal to the Board of Education? Where are some good websites and resources to find information and statistics as far as high school/college fishing clubs and/or programs? Are there any stories that other members can share that may help in creating a proposal that the Board of Education will have a very hard time refusing?

You need student that want to join. Why start a club with  no members?   Also you sound like you want to start something that has more to do with your local park district than it does the high school. Your first goal should be gaining members for the high school club ( have students sign a petition) the present the benefits and also  the things you will do besides fishing ex teaching young grammar school kids about fishing.

[jhoffman]

I wish more teachers expressed their personal interests or contacted their universities or high schools club.

 

I approached my director to start a FLW college team. Theres more than meets the eye when it comes to something like that... liability insurance, boats, safety equipment...

[tbone1993]

I approached my director to start a FLW college team. Theres more than meets the eye when it comes to something like that... liability insurance, boats, safety equipment...

You are doing it the wrong way. Find some students that want to fish/ start a fishing club. Then have them start a fishing student organization. At my school student organizations are not affiliated with the school ( basically school does not take responsibility for their actions. Once the club is created make a constitution that protects the students. You may not get funded by the school but at least you have your club. Another good point is our student organizations can get funding for events which helps out ( it is the same as a track club or volleyball club).  Once you have an actual club with registered members then you can be eligible for FLW tournaments and things of that nature. If you go the route I am telling you then the club will be easy to start.

[aharris]

Personally, I think it gives guys (and girls) a chance to be a part of a team even if they dont have the physical gifts to play other sports like football, baseball or basketball. There's a high school down the road from where I live and most of the team says the same thing. Face it, some folks just dont fit in with the jocks but still like to compete. Some colleges are also starting to give scholarships for fishing which I think is awesome. 

[tbone1993]

Personally, I think it gives guys (and girls) a chance to be a part of a team even if they dont have the physical gifts to play other sports like football, baseball or basketball. There's a high school down the road from where I live and most of the team says the same thing. Face it, some folks just dont fit in with the jocks but still like to compete. Some colleges are also starting to give scholarships for fishing which I think is awesome. 

High School is a different ball of wax because you have to throw minors in to the mix. Most college fishing scholarships are a $1000 which would not convince me to go to a specific school.

[aharris]

High School is a different ball of wax because you have to throw minors in to the mix. Most college fishing scholarships are a $1000 which would not convince me to go to a specific school.

yeah but if a college has a fishing team and is willing to help me out a little, I'd rather go there than to a school didnt...and wouldnt.

[tbone1993]

yeah but if a college has a fishing team and is willing to help me out a little, I'd rather go there than to a school didnt...and wouldnt.

True but a top tier education is my first requirement. Trust me I received awards in upwards of 30,000 plus from multiple schools and almost full rides at a few. I choose the top tier university over them, I put my education first. 

[CHS bass fisherman]

Here in KY, my school has started a Bass Fishing Team, i am a sophmore in my school and we had to hire a coach, but if you go to www.highschoolfishing.org/ you can start a team or just a club o this website, Hope that helps.