|
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Lee Monsees, chairman of the Triangle Chapter in Raleigh, North Carolina, is Delta Waterfowl’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year.
“Monsees took over a chapter with an uncertain future and quickly turned it into a fundraising powerhouse,” said Chris Williams, regional manager of event fundraising for Delta Waterfowl. “His passionate leadership has provided critical resources to Delta’s mission, while also allowing the chapter to immensely benefit waterfowl conservation and hunting on the local level.”
Monsees, 41, became a chairman seven years ago, drawn by the difference that Delta’s unique chapter model would allow him to make for his region’s ducks and duck hunters.
“I was involved with a local chapter of another waterfowl conservation organization, but it wasn’t quite for me,” Monsees said. “A friend of mine approached me about getting the Triangle Chapter of Delta Waterfowl rolling again, and I saw that Delta provided a better ability to give back to the community, including to youth hunters and veterans.”
Under Monsees’ guidance, the chapter has used its Waterfowl Heritage Funds to install wood duck boxes throughout the region, recruit new duck hunters, take veterans and active-duty military hunting and support local conservation initiatives.
The chapter’s annual youth hunt places about 40 kids in duck blinds.
“I love the fact that, as a Delta Waterfowl chapter, we can get the next generation involved,” Monsees said. “We get to show them the sport we love so much, and instill in them the need to support conservation and stand up for our rights as hunters — because someday we won’t be here to do it for them.”
A sales professional in the heavy construction equipment industry, Monsees enjoys all forms of waterfowling, but most commonly pursues puddle ducks. He lives in Raleigh with his wife Kim, son Jackson, and daughter Charley.
“I would not be the Volunteer of the Year without our committee — we have a great group of guys,” Monsees said. “When I see them put in their 100 percent effort, it makes it that much easier for me to put in mine.”
In annually naming a Volunteer of the Year, The Duck Hunters Organization celebrates more than 4,000 selfless, devoted individuals across the United States and Canada who make its work possible.
As this year’s winner, Monsees will receive Delta Waterfowl’s 2018 Gun of the Year — a Weatherby Orion 12-gauge over/under shotgun — plus a $500 gift card for Banded and Avery waterfowling gear.
“Anyone who hunts ducks and loves waterfowl is indebted to Delta’s inspiring, remarkably dedicated volunteers,” said Dr. Scott Petrie, CEO and chief scientific officer for Delta Waterfowl. “They are the driving force behind our mission to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting.”
2019 Volunteer of the Year Nominees
*Ben Wolney, Iron Range Flyers Chapter, Hibbing, Minnesota
*Alex Grable, Sullivan County Chapter, Sullivan, Indiana
*Ken Power, 1000 Islands Chapter, Kingston, Ontario
Tim Kellar, Bottoms Up Chapter, Wilton, North Dakota
Dan Robben, Southern Oregon Chapter, Medford, Oregon
Jason Sanderson, Lancaster Chapter, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Kevin Rea, Mid South Chapter, Memphis, Tennessee
*Lee Monsees, Triangle Chapter, Raleigh, North Carolina
*Troy Hellmann, Four Rivers Chapter, Washington, Missouri
James Michael Moyer, Birmingham Chapter, Birmingham, Alabama
Jamie Floyd, Southern New Brunswick Chapter, Sussex, New Brunswick
Calvin Barber, Cupped ’N Committed Chapter, Winterset, Iowa
Ryan Brown, Park Cities Delta Chapter, Dallas, Texas
Chris Goss, Raft Creek Chapter, Searcy, Arkansas & Brent Hutchins Chapter, Cabot, Arkansas
*Jonathan Walker, Baton Rouge Area Chapter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Craig Ochitwa, Greenhead Nation Chapter, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
*finalist
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.