MS “DUCKS ON THE BLUFF” STATE CONVENTION 2013

    The 2013 Mississippi D.U. State Convention “Ducks on the Bluff”
State Convention was held in Vicksburg, July 25-28. The weekend’s
activities kicked off with a Major Donor Event held at the Roca Restaurant
on July 25 with 40 in attendance. State Major Donor Chairman, Dwight Jones,
welcomed Dr. Scott Manly, Director of Conservation Programs in D.U.’s Southern
Region, who gave an informative update regarding the current conservation
programs. A small auction followed and thanks to the generous sponsors, donors,
and attendees, over $10,000.00 was raised for the ducks at that gathering. 

    At noon on Friday, a dozen or more ladies, enjoyed a luncheon and tour of the
historic Greek Revival Anchuca Mansion in downtown Vicksburg. That afternoon,
State Counsel Chairman, Guy Ray, presided over an informal meeting of
volunteers and staff to discuss policies, procedures, organization and fund-raising
for the upcoming year’s banquet and fundraising season. That evening, the
convention attendees enjoyed a fish fry at the Southern Heritage Air Museum,
across the river at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport. 

    Saturday morning started with a general business session at the Hampton Inn &
Suites. The agenda included presentations by: 

    Keith Hancock, Brooksville, State Chairman; 
    David Victory, Hernando, State Chairman Elect 
    Beto Elizondo, West Monroe, LA, D. U. Flyway Senior Vice President; 
    Jim West, Memphis, TN: Chief Fund-raising Officer, D.U., Inc.; 
    Hunter Pridgen, Greenwood, D.U., Inc. Regional Director; 
    Mark Horobetz, D.U., Inc., Memphis, TN & Cody Pugh, Greenwood, Youth and 
                                                 Collegiate Programs; 
    D.U. Advisory Senior Vice President, Ronal Roberson, Charleston, Youth &
                                                 Education Importance; 
    Directors of Development, Chris Cole, Huntington, TN and Chad Manlove,
                                                 Ridgeland, 
    Dwight Jones, State Major Donor and Chairman; 
    Regional Vice President, Steve Cook, Malvern, AR; 
    Tim Willis, Ridgeland, D.U. Regional Biologist; 

               Mississippi D.U. State Officers for 2013-2014 were presented: 

                         David Victory, Hernando, State Chairman 
                         Chip Hines, Meridian, State Treasurer 
                         Dwight Jones, Grenada - State Major Gifts/Sponsor Chairman 
                         Ken Carroll, Jackson, State Volunteer Recruitment Chairman 
                         LaWayne Smith, Sumrall - State Greenwing Chairman 
                         Benjamin Ferguson, Tunica - State Publicity Chairman 

                                                   
                                              Regional Directors: 

                Hunter Pridgen, Greenwood, MS - North MS/Central MS 
                Tommy Ware, Diamondhead, MS – South MS/South AL 


    Saturday afternoon was set aside for free time where attendees enjoyed
Vicksburg’s many attractions. Over 120 attended the gala Award’s Banquet
held that evening at the Vicksburg Convention Center in downtown Vicksburg.
After the meal, Hancock, Cook and Elizondo presented the following awards
to outstanding Mississippi D.U. chapters and volunteers for the past year:



Top Net/Net Gross                                 
Top College Chapter 
#2 in Nation (Sweet Sixteen) 
MSU Bulldog Chapter 
Stephen Leiniger, Chairman 
Attendance: Over 300 
Gross over: $45,000.00 
Net: $42,000.00.











National Sweet Sixteen 
#12 in Nation (Sweet Sixteen) 
Ole Miss Chapter 
Amanda Victory, Chair










Net/Net Increase 
Natchez Chapter 
Key Smith, Chairman 
Net/Net Increase $15,000.00 
> $32,000.00 - efficiency 69% 
10/30 incentive









Top Membership Increase 
Top Committee Growth 
Grenada Chapter 
Josh James, Chairman 
Attendance increase 60>200 
Gross $39,000.00 
Net/Net $15,000.00 - efficiency 51% 
10/30 incentive








State Chairmans Award of Excellence 
Pike County Chapter 
Kennon Singley, Chaiman 
Attendance increase 155>195
Gross $40,000.00
Net $24,000.00 - efficiency 60%10/30 incentive









Overall Top Event 
Top Net/Net Efficiency 
President Elite 
Central Mississippi Sponsor Event 
Chad Manlove, Chairman 
Gross $161,000.00 
Net/Net $148,000.00 - efficiency 91% 
10/30 incentive











Rookie of the Year 
Key Smith, Natchez














Volunteer of the Year 
Dwight Jones, Grenada














Zone Chairman of the Year 
Scott Forest, Madison 
Capital District (7)










   
District Chairman of the Year 
Ken Carroll, Jackson 
Capital District (7)















Area Chairman of the Year 
Wayne Black, Madison Chapter 











                 Six MS D.U. Chapters were recognized with the
               STATE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE


Madison Chapter,
Wayne Black, Chairman
Attendance increase>274 Gross $41,000.00
Gross $41,000.00
Net $32,000.00 - efficiency 79%
10/30 incentive

Olive Branch Chapter
Michael Fuller, Chairman
Attendance increase 87>140
Gross $27,000.00
Net $16,000.00 - efficiency 59%
10/30 incentive

Singing River Chapter
John Kinsey, Chairman
Attendance increase 86>225
Gross $37,000.00
Net $21,000.00 - efficiency 57%
10/30 incentive

Pike County Chapter
Kennon Singley, Chairman
Attendance increase 155>195
Gross $40,000.00
Net $24,000.00 - efficiency 60%
10/30 incentive

Jones County Chapter
Chris Sherman, Chairman
Attendance increase 136>260
Gross $29,000.00
Net $18,000.00 - efficiency 61%
10/30 incentive

Brookhaven Chapter
Joseph Durr, Chairman
Gross $20,000.00
Net $12,000.00 - efficiency 60%
10/30 incentive 



                           Thanks to this year’s convention Donors: 

Greenbrook Flowers of Jackson                     Ameristar Casino & Hotel
Drake Waterfowl Systems                               Lady Luck Hotel & Casino 
The Old Depot Museum                                   Southern Beverage 
Riverwalk Casino & Hotel                                Vicksburg Factory Outlets 
Charles Donald Timber Company                  Academy Sports 
Hobie’s Outdoor Sports                                   Tractor Supply Co. 
Lamar Advertising of Jackson                         Hampton Inn & Suites 
Southern Heritage Air Museum                       DISCOVER Card 
Byram Wine & Spirits                                      Old Court House Museum 
Trustmark Bank, Vicksburg                              Mossy Oak 
Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau       Bass Pro Shops 


                 Special thanks to this Year’s Convention Sponsors: 

                                        Bonnie Morris Castors of Jackson 
                                       Wendell Weakley Guy & Charlot Ray 
                                      Keith Thames Keith & Kathy Hancock 


    Other out of state guests at the weekend’s activities included,
D.U. National Board of Directors member, Vince Callahan (Proctor, AR)
and E. J. Deubler (and wife Betty), Harvey, LA, Arkansas State Sponsor
Chairman, Mike Morrison, West Memphis, AR, Louisiana State Chairman,
Stephen Gauthiex, Lafayette, LA, State Chairman-Elect, Michael Patterson,
Baton Rouge, LA, State Wetland Campaign Chairman, Mike Benge, New
Orleans, LA, National Assistant Treasurer, Stan Huner ( and wife, Jane),
Sterrett, AL, Henry Gauldin (and wife, Lida), Birmingham, AL, Jeff Lawrence
(wife, Cindy), Pangburn, AR - Director of Fund-raising and Volunteer Recruitment. 

    The 2014 Mississippi D.U. Convention site and date will be announced
by the end of September reported new State Chairman, David Victory. 


    Mississippi Ducks Unlimited would like to give a special thanks to Jack Moss for all his support and effort in helping make this 2013 State Convention a memorable one. Jack’s dedication and passion for Ducks Unlimited is what makes events such as this a complete success. Thanks again from MS DU.