2012 AORE Annual Report
Letter from the President
Thank you for your interest in and involvement with the Association of Outdoor Recreation and
Education. We are celebrating yet another remarkable year, which is a testament to the many
individuals and organizations who give generously of their time, expertise and resources to further our
mission. Throughout its history the AORE has been, and continues to be, driven by members who care
passionately about our profession, industry and one another.
In addition to our gratitude for the AORE’s numerous volunteers, we owe thanks to our Executive
Director, Jeannette Stawski, C.A.E. and our National Office Staff, for their many success. When the
Association voted to create a position for an Executive Director, it was a bold decision to invest in our
capacity to achieve our mission at a higher level. In the two years since her hire, Ms. Stawski has
exceeded all benchmarks, increased member services and raised the profile of the Association.
In order to guide the AORE through its transition from an all-volunteer association to one that employs
an Executive Director, this year the Board of Directors undertook an ambitious governance review which
involved focus groups, interviews, roundtables and consultants. This groundwork set the foundation for
our future. In addition to that success, we are celebrating these other notable achievements:
Largest membership in the history of the AORE
Most conference attendees ever
Expanded conference programming for seasoned professionals
Growth in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership
Sixth year in a row under budget for expenses and above goals for income
Growth in the AORE Annual Fund
Significant increase in retention of vendor members
Increased partnerships and new allies that align with the mission of the AORE
The work we are doing is important—to our profession and industry, to one another and to our world.
Our strength comes from our diverse, talented and loyal membership and from our mission, which has
never been more relevant.
Thank you for joining us on this adventure,
Elizabeth K. Andre, Ph.D
President of the AORE
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