Ellman Shares Insights on National Audubon

Especially having been closely involved with its recent planning study andreorganization, George has a very special inside view of National.

"My first term," he says, "was characterized mainly by frustration. Therealways seemed to be a reason why the staff couldn't change the way somethingwas done, and those who were more responsive always seemed to leave theorganization.

"The last three years, however, was very exciting. The Board became convincedthat we needed a long-term plan. A foundation helped to fund it, and providedthat most of the money was for plan implementation. That helped to assure thatthe plan didn't just sit on the shelf.

"Among other things, the study found that what most people expect Audubon to beconcerned about is birds and wildlife in general. It also concluded thatNational wasn't making the best use of its chapters, or serving themparticularly well--something we Board members had been trying to tell them forsome time. After all, most land-use issues are decided at the local level,where chapters can have major influence. And, another point we had beenpushing, the Audubon magazine should relate more to birds, and toAudubon activities around the country. There were a host of recommendations,including decentralization of the entire NAS operation and the development of astrong network of state-level organizations.

"I think it is greatly to the organization's credit, and not only due to thenew President, John Flicker, that by the end of 1996, a major reorganizationwas well under way. Some of the NAS staff have been dispersed around thecountry, and state offices are being set up, not just to lobby statelegislatures but to assist the chapters and respond to their needs, somethingthey were hardly able to do at all before. One of the first state offices to beestablished was in Sacramento, where what was formerly the Western RegionalOffice has become Audubon-California. An electronic communications network isbeing set up to improve information flow all along the line."

"We're beginning to see some changes in the magazine, too, with a newlyenlarged section titled 'Inside Audubon.' It's a small thing, but it's astart."

George has great admiration for the abilities of many National Audubon staffmembers, and especially for the Washington office. "What happens in Washingtonis a very important aspect of the conservation effort," he says. "Our lobbyistscan help provide direction to the chapters, and pinpoint congresspeople whoneed to hear from their constituents. They have done a good job of using thechapter network on important issues.

"Our new state office in Sacramento has been realigned to provide more readilyavailable services to chapters in this state. The educational aspect of ourefforts has been substantially enhanced, as has the work of improving ourfiscal abilities."

As to the future, George Ellman is hopeful. "It will take a while to see howeffective the new structure is, and some problems do remain. For example, twomajor concerns of mine still have not really been addressed. I think more duesmoney should come back to the chapters, and I think a serious effort needs tobe made to reduce membership attrition. A lot of people join for one year andthen drop out. I think it would help to phone new members at the local level,find out what interests them about Audubon, and encourage them to get involved.The Madrone Chapter is doing that now, and it will be interesting to see theresults. I've been trying for years to get National to conduct a study alongthese lines."

George, a biochemist and Emeritus Professor at U.C. San Francisco, becameactive on conservation issues during the late 1960's, as a member of Tiburon'sParks and Recreation Commission and then of the City Council. He also joinedMarin Audubon, and served on its Board and Conservation Committee. In 1980, heand his wife, Phyllis, moved to Glen Ellen, where he continued to be active inland-use issues and joined Madrone Audubon. He served on the Madrone Board ofDirectors for about eight years, as President from 1985 to 1986 and againbriefly in 1987.

His successor as NAS Board representative from the western region is CharlesBragg from Southern California. "Charles and I agree on very many issues, and Iexpect that he will be an effective Board member," George says. "He has a lotof background in electronic communications, which is one of the most importantareas currently, and I believe he will be a good advocate for the needs of thechapters." -JSB