[MSAR] New Member

Slybarbara at aol.com Slybarbara at aol.com
Fri Feb 6 10:07:25 EST 2004


Tracy, I would suggest doing what our two cofounders did.  They first went 
through ESAR training so they knew how to put others through training and how to 
meet the expectations of the SAR association which authorizes/oversees all 
units, training and missions.

To found the unit (in 1996) they worked with our county SAR association's 
certification committee.  They wrote up plans for training, researched other 
teams materials to choose by-laws, filed for nonprofit status and got ready for 
the 1st year of trainees (1997).  

They recruited friends, family and husbands to do the 1st step in training, 
(horse & rider evaluation).  If memory serves me right, they ran about 50 
persons w/horses through the horse/rider evaluation.  Those who passed that hurdle 
went on to 2 days of classroom training, one day on foot map & compass 
training in the field, one weekend of wilderness navigation with teams on horses and 
two weekends of mock search scenarios with trainee teams camping in a 
wilderness situation.  ESAR and 4x4 teams helped by lending radios and providing a few 
knowledgeable members to help with training.

We (I was part of the 1st class) graduated about 23 members, and there are 
probably 5 or 6 of us still active. I am VP, another is President, the others 
are OL's or TL's.  You'll find there's a huge attrition rate and every year 
you'll want to train 12-15 new members to keep the unit going.

 Check our website: http://www.nwhsar.org for info which is passed out to 
prospective members.

Good luck with your plan
Barbara Sly
Northwest Horseback Search & Rescue
King Co WA (Seattle area)
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