USA – Meet Jan Murray, a non-hunter, retired nurse, small business owner, motor coach travel escort, mother and avid outdoorsperson who enthusiastically supports Safari Club International (SCI) both on the local and International levels.
When asked how she got involved with SCI, Jan said, “I became interested in our local SCI Chapter, The Michigan Chapter, through my husband’s interest in the organization. I joined him as a member some ten years ago. He was and is an avid hunter, but I never understood the overall principles of hunting until I started going to the annual local SCI fundraisers and the monthly meetings.”
It did not take Jan long to get involved. “Then I started helping with the fundraisers in small ways. I became more and more active over time, especially after I began to realize how important the work of SCI was. As I became aware of the vital role hunting plays in the preservation of wildlife, I found I wanted to help more with the SCI goals as I have always been an animal lover.”
Jan and her husband Lee have been an integral part in helping their local chapter of SCI. “I have seen our Michigan Chapter grow in numbers and quality over the years. This is largely through involvement of our local members in Safari Club International’s educational programs.”
Jan looks forward to attending the annual SCI Convention each year and touching base with old friends and making new ones. “As I began attending the amazing SCI Conventions in Reno and then in Las Vegas, I learned more and more facets of SCI’s work around the United States and the world with animal conservation, humanitarianism and hunting preservation issues. I also got involved on the international level, serving as a volunteer for three years on the Convention Committee’s Exhibitor Care Team. In addition, I serve on the Museum Committee for the SCI International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, Arizona.”
When she talks about attending the SCI Convention Jan can’t hide her enthusiasm. “I was just bowled over when I attended my first Convention and I continue to be impressed year after year as the event has grown. There is everything there for the hunter and angler, but so much more including jewelry, art work and wares from all around the world. But I have to say my favorite displays are the taxidermy. There is just no way to describe the realism and artistry represented.”
The auctions at the SCI Convention and at local events are also a popular item with Jan. “Through SCI, our family has been able to travel in the United States and internationally several times with trips we have purchased at an auction. It is so much fun to bid on items and be able to purchase them while helping support the goals of SCI.”
When asked if there was one thing that stood out to her with her involvement with SCI, Jan said, “If I had to choose one thing that I have found most rewarding about my involvement with SCI, it is the people we have met; people from around town, the state and the world who are committed to serving our future citizens through conservation, humanitarianism and hunting. The camaraderie and the friendships formed as people share a common goal is a lovely thing to experience.”
Jan admits her involvement with SCI is a little out of the ordinary.
“I never would have pictured myself as becoming involved in an organization with such a focus on hunting and hunting issues. Being a non-hunter, I am very glad I have learned how important it is to preserve hunting and wildlife conservation. If there is one thing I am passionate about, it is educating our young people about the importance of science-based management of wildlife. Through education, SCI’s Sables, the SCI Foundation and in many other ways, SCI impacts the world’s people and its natural world for the better.”
In closing, Jan had this to say.
“I would challenge any person who enjoys the out of doors and nature in general to think about what that world will look like in the future if we don’t take the steps necessary now to preserve God’s world for future generations. Just check out your local SCI Chapter and see what they are doing to make this world a better place through conservation. Then become involved on a national and international level.”
You can make a difference, too. Start by joining SCI at http://www.joinsci.org and attending the 2019 Safari Club International Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada. Register to attend at https://www.showsci.org/.
About the SCI Hunters’ Convention:
Safari Club expects upwards of 24,000 worldwide hunters to visit
Reno, Nevada, January 9-12, 2019. The SCI Hunters’ Convention represents the largest and most successful event to raise money for advocacy to protect hunters’ rights. The 2019 Hunters’ Convention will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center with over 452,000 square feet of exhibits and almost 1,100 exhibiting companies.
Register and book rooms at www.showsci.org
Becoming an SCI Member:
Joining Safari Club International is the best way to be an advocate for continuing our hunting heritage and supporting worldwide sustainable use conservation, wildlife education and humanitarian services.
JOIN NOW: www.joinsci.org
Safari Club International – First for Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI has approximately 200 Chapters worldwide and its members represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.
