Funding
is
also
a
constant
concern
for
members,
and
sources
ebb
and
flow,
especially
for
members
from
public
institutions.
In
some
years
professional
development
money
is
flush,
and
in
others,
such
as
the
2013
government
furlough,
many
AORE
members
were
not
able
to
renew
membership
or
attend
the
conference
in
Maryland.
It
it
is
a
priority
of
AORE
to
reach
out
more
effectively
to
members
in
new
regions
and
meet
their
needs.
Despite
some
of
these
challenges
in
2013,
membership
numbers
are
on
par
with
previous
years,
and
expanding
member
benefits
continues
to
be
a
top
priority
for
AORE.
In
response
to
the
growth
and
success
of
AORE,
we
were
fortunate
to
hire
the
organization’s
first
full-‐time
office
manager,
Hannah
Cooley,
to
better
serve
the
membership.
Hannah
has
done
an
astounding
job
at
the
national
office.
This
year
the
national
office
surveyed
members
to
examine
how
they
envision
AORE’s
future.
The
organization
offered
many
new
benefits
to
its
membership
including
educational
webinars,
an
improved
website,
regular
press
releases,
and
improved
communication
and
guidance
for
new
members
and
volunteers.
To
better
serve
young
students,
a
new
tier
of
membership
was
created,
separating
student
supporters
and
student
professionals,
to
reach
students
who
are
exploring
the
field
of
outdoor
recreation
and
education.
Many
student
professionals
will
go
on
to
pursue
careers
in
the
outdoor
industry,
and
others
will
utilize
the
incredible
professional
development
the
AORE
community
and
annual
conference
provide
in
other
careers.
Another
new
development
for
AORE
is
the
merger
with
the
Outdoor
Orientation
Program
Symposium
(OOPS),
a
phenomenal
resource
for
members
who
run
college
and
university
orientation
trips.
AORE
would
not
be
where
it
is
without
the
dedication
of
its
member
volunteers,
especially
those
who
work
on
committees.
The
board
and
national
office
are
working
more
closely
with
committee
chairs
to
align
their
goals
with
the
strategic
plan,
support
and
fund
new
initiatives,
and
improve
overall
communication
so
committees
can
accomplish
tasks
smoothly.
The
board
would
like
to
send
out
its
thanks
and
appreciation
to
all
volunteers
for
their
hard
work!
Most
AORE
members
join
the
organization
because
of
the
amazing
community
they
become
a
part
of.
In
2013,
our
community
lost
a
dear
friend
and
colleague,
Greg
Hawkins.
The
Greg
Hawkins
Memorial
Fund
was
created
in
his
honor,
and
the
“Go $4