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About OWAA
Mission StatementThe mission of Outdoor Writers Association of America is to improve the professional skills of our members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources, and be mentors for the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. Our ProfileOWAA is a nonprofit, international organization that represents a diverse group of professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. They inform the public about outdoor activities, issues and the responsible use of our natural resources. OWAA's national headquarters is located in Missoula, Montana. Through OWAA membership and adherence to its creed and code of ethics, members are commissioned to provide honest, thorough and unbiased outdoor coverage. Members of OWAA are experienced outdoor people, the nation's best outdoor writers, editors, book authors, broadcasters, film and video producers, photographers, artists and lecturers. OWAA promotes informed and responsible outdoor reporting by providing educational services to members through workshops and seminars, setting professional standards and promoting excellence. The association is dedicated to helping its members increase profitability and grow intellectually – both professionally and personally. The association facilitates craft improvement of individual members, encourages contact among communicators in the outdoor field, promotes expansion of outdoor coverage in the nation's media and focuses public attention on natural resource conservation. Educational and organizational information are provided to the OWAA membership through its award-winning monthly publication, Outdoors Unlimited, its annual membership Directory, various other organization-related educational brochures and manuals and the OWAA annual conference which is held at a different location within the United States each year. Association members come to conference to network, share and gather ideas and enjoy a level of camaraderie found in few other organizations. OWAA is governed by the organization's officers and a board of directors. The members of the board are elected annually by the active membership, while officers are elected annually by the board. The executive director and headquarters staff handle the day-to-day operations of the association, including the production of the monthly membership newsletter and other publications. Dozens of volunteer committees, manned by OWAA members, also provide a foundation for OWAA's prosperity and growth. Strategic Plan (2004-2005)“Developing professional communicators today for a better outdoors tomorrow,” is part of OWAA's vision, goals and objectives. The strategic plan includes action items to help OWAA improve its image; to help members make more money; and to aid members' professional and educational development. View the complete plan. Code of EthicsThe purpose of OWAA's Code of ethics is to establish principles and standards that promote and maintain high levels of personal and professional conduct on the part of all members. We are expected to conduct professional business and personal relationships with integrity and with a sense of propriety that benefits ourselves, our association and our profession. Go to OWAA's code of ethics. Declaration of PrinciplesWe who inform, through the various media at our disposal, on the out-of-doors and its enjoyment, are known as the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Through this association, we strive to improve ourselves in the art and media of our craft and to increase our knowledge and understanding of the many facets of our subject. We pledge our support to the conservation of natural resources, and to the best precepts for the recreational use of these resources. Above all, we pledge ourselves to maintain the highest ethical standards in the exercise of our craft. OWAA CreedI believe in the profession of outdoor reporting as a public trust to report that which is true. Accuracy, fairness and clarity in words and photographs are a fundamental part of my profession. I will present to my audience only that which I can present ethically. My financial return will not influence my judgment, nor will I evade my personal responsibility to search for facts. I believe in honest representation and conscientious performance and I will not stoop to plagiarism. I believe the trust that is imposed on me is subject to justification in my own heart and mind, and that the true test of my work is the measure of its public service. Position on HuntingAn organization of professional communicators, the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) avoids advocacy within issues not related to journalism. Our mission is to improve the communication and managerial skills of members, set high standards for communicating outdoor subjects, promote outdoor communications in all media, and encourage appropriate natural resource use and conservation. OWAA recognizes legal hunting as an appropriate use of natural resources. Many OWAA members cover and promote hunting. OWAA Gift Acceptance Policies and GuidelinesOWAA encourages the solicitation and acceptance of gifts to OWAA that are consistent with the purposes of OWAA. The association’s endowment trustees and board of directors approved guidelines for certain types of gifts that generally will be accepted by the organization. Read approved guidelines here ... OWAA PrayerGod give me stillness, give me time to stand And if I call this mine, remind me, God, - Margaret Menamin |
