Great Lake Drownings Are Up 78%
Here's what we're doing about it, and how you can help
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<<First Name>>,
Let's start with the bad news. Since the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project started tracking in 2010, there have been 536 drownings in the Great Lakes. Particularly alarming is a record 78% increase from 2015 to 2016. While we have no doubt there would have been even more tragedies if not for our collective efforts, we have a lot of work to do in 2017 and beyond.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: GREAT LAKES WATER SAFETY 2017 CONFERENCE SET
Scientists are analyzing the data and will report their findings at the Great Lakes Water Safety 2017 Conference, set for April 20-21 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
I wanted you, as a valued member of the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, to be the first to know so you can plan on attending and participating in our many initiatives to help people avoid, escape, and safely save others from dangerous currents and conditions.
Welcoming groups and individuals involved in any and all aspects of water safety, this year's conference will feature presentations on the latest research in wave science, beach warnings and rescue equipment, ideation sessions on the best methods for communicating risk, how communities can prevent and respond to tragedies, and much more.
Interested in presenting? Want to suggest someone else? Take a minute to fill out this quick "call for speakers" form.
Watch for registration details soon, including the Vendor Expo, but for now, please save these dates and share with others who might be interested.
HOW TO GET EVEN MORE INVOLVED IN WATER SAFETY THIS YEAR
If you're like me, you don't just set a New Year's resolution or two, you set tons of goals for every aspect of your life - career, financial, relationships, wellness, growth, and contribution. Financial goals are important, but we know we can't take it with us. What matters is who we are and what we do while we're here. There are so many causes to support and we all have our own reasons to help end drowning.
So I ask you, what ELSE can you do in 2017? How ELSE can you contribute and make a difference? Here's an idea: join one of our Action Committees. We appreciate that you're a member - believe me - but if you're ready to do more than read this e-newsletter and attend our events, you can give some of your time and talent to help us save more lives.
Nearly 1/3 of our 250+ members are serving on one or more of our Action Committees, but we need more:
- Conference Planning
- Media & Messaging
- Finance & Fundraising
- Education & Training
- Data & Metrics
- Awards & Recognition
- Beach Warnings & Rescue Equipment
- Lifeguarding (new!)
Interested? Reply and let me know which one(s) you'd like to try or learn more about.
In particular, we're looking for someone with fundraising experience. As a relatively new 501c3 nonprofit, we need funds to pursue our mission of ending drowning on the Great Lakes. Please let me know if you know anyone who might be interested in helping us with fundraising.
I'll be in touch soon with more Conference details, and I look forward to hearing from you before then with any questions or suggestions, or a raised hand to join an Action Committee.
Best,
Jamie
Jamie Racklyeft, Executive Director
Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium
Rip Current Survivor
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