About the Capital City Chapter of FHNB

 

The Capital City chapter is based in Chatham Illinois just south of Springfield.  Founded in 2016 our chapter is comprised of board members and volunteers who work to provide full day of fishing for disabled participants in Central Illinois.  During our inaugural years we will be supported by the National and Northern Illinois chapters of FHNB to provide fishing equipment, life vests, and wheelchair ramps for our event.  The Capital City chapter wishes to establish a solid base of equipment and financial donors in the Central Illinois area to be able to acquire and maintain similar equipment and supplies for the disabled people of our area.

 

Board members lead groups of short and long term volunteers who concentrate on the areas of:

 

Disabled Community Liaison -  Developing relationships with individuals and organizations in Central Illinois that may wish to send participants to our annual event.  Understanding any special needs of the disabled participants and ensuring we make provision to meet those needs.  Registering participants, and ensuring their day is meaningful and enjoyable..

 

Public Relations - Promoting the Capital City Chapter of FHNB and our annual event, developing sponsors, coordinating fundraising, donors, and media relationships.

 

Volunteer Committee - Enlisting 3 volunteers for every disabled participant.  Organizing the volunteer force for event set up, participant greeting and registration, assistance with parking, set up and distribution of fishing tackle and bait, boat loading and unloading, serving meals, and event tear down.

 

Grounds - Site selection, understanding the needs of all other committees, planning site layout, site preparation and set up, accommodations for loading participants onto boats, location for fishing tackle and bait, coordination of tents, tables, chairs, trash receptacles, electrical power for PA system, food warming tables, cell phone charging.

 

Communications - Coordinate sector boats to visit with and meet the needs of all participant fishing boats on the lake, establish a communication hub for arriving guests, boat captains, fishing guides, and volunteers, record and maintain contact phone numbers for boat captains, guides, and participant caretakers/guardians.  Providing a first aid station, provide a sound system for announcements.

 

Catering - Make provisions to serve each participant, caretaker and volunteer breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Develop menus, solicit food donations, plan and execute meal preparation, service, and clean up.

Fishing Coordinator - Coordinate the boats, boat captains, and fishing assistants that volunteer for the event.  Matching boat capabilities with participant needs.  Obtain and prepare fishing tackle, bait, and on-water supplies for each participant.  Work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to obtain fishing licenses waivers for the participants and to fully understand fishing size limit, catch quantities, and catch and release requirements for the event.

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