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Tuesday, November 09, 2021 12:00 AM

Junior Angler Program Guidelines

Mission Statement

The Junior Angler Program is for IWFA members to provide opportunities for young girls ages 6 to 17 to learn about conservation, develop their angling skills, and participate in a monthly award competition under the mentorship of an IWFA sponsor.

Objective

Help raise awareness, and encourage participation in the sport of fishing by sharing a basic understanding and appreciation of fishing, and to prepare young girls and young women to be responsible anglers as well as good stewards of our marine resources and fisheries.  The ultimate goal is to have our junior anglers become future IWFA members.

Program

In order to become an IWFA Junior Angler, a young girl must have an IWFA sponsor willing to accept the responsibility of mentoring her in conservation and the bylaws of the IWFA.The program will be open to young girls ages 6 to 17 years.  Upon turning 18 years of age, the junior angler may then pay dues to join IWFA.  On becoming an IWFA member, the teen angler will leave her points behind and join the club as a new member.  The junior angler fishing year for annual competition will follow the IWFA year. (January 1-December 31).

The initial membership fee is $50 a year and can be paid by credit card or a check mailed to the IWFA treasurer.

Treasurer: Jill Gaddis
IWFA Treasurer
14286 Beach Blvd., Suite 19-248
Jacksonville, FL 32250
An early enrollment discount is applied from 1/1- 4/30, bringing the fee to $17.50, changing the fee to $32.50 (17.50 dues, $15 new member kit). The renewal membership fee is $35 per year. 
The junior angler membership application is online at iwfa.org. Junior anglers must have their parent or legal guardian help them complete and submit the application including the liability waiver. Once the online application has been submitted and the dues have been paid, the sponsor will be notified of acceptance into the program.

Point System

All fish on the IWFA approved list are eligible for points – there are no line class or tackle restrictions; however, all IGFA International Angling Rules, Limits, and Regulations apply.

6” – 12”                                    1 point
Over 12”                                  5 points
Sailfish                                     20 points
Other Billfish                            25 points

Freshwater and saltwater fish will be scored separately due to awards.  The catch and release form located on the IWFA website under the Junior Angler tab needs to be completed by the 5th day of the following month from the catch for monthly awards.  Late catch and releases may be scored in yearly competition only if received within 30 days after the catch is made and received by the junior angler affidavits chair on or before January 5th of the next year.  The junior angler can turn in fish caught while fishing with others if their sponsor vouches for the catch.  This is a program for mentoring, education, and recognition. Email Jen Goodell at [email protected] with any questions regarding the point system.

Awards

Junior angler monthly awards are given to junior anglers who score the most points for each
eligible species each month. Certificates are given at the 1st monthly award, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th,
100th, 150th, 200th, etc. up to 500 monthly awards. Annual Awards for junior anglers will be the Top
Freshwater Angler (minimum 50 points), Top Saltwater Angler (minimum 50 points), Top Fleming
Species Award (minimum 15 species), and Top Service Project Angler. Junior anglers will be
limited to 1 yearly award (Top Freshwater Angler, Top Saltwater Angler, or Top Fleming Species
Award). The Top Service Project Angler award is open to all junior anglers. Any angler wanting to
compete for the Top Service Project will submit documentation and photos describing her project to
the committee for consideration (see service award criteria). The Top Service Project award does
not have to be given each year. If the junior angler winners cannot attend the IWFA Annual Awards
Luncheon, sponsors will be responsible for presenting awards at a Funament or activity (i.e. lunch
with other IWFA members present, if possible). The sponsor will take photos and send with an
article to the junior angler Communications Chair. In the event of a tie, both anglers will receive an
award.

Duties

Jenny

Junior Angler Program Chair – contact person for the membership and Board.  Accepts any and all information and directs it to the appropriate committee chair. May serve on any of the junior angler committee positions as needed. Monthly contact with committee members for reporting, follow up and needs assessment.  Monthly written report to the Board submitted by Chair or committee Board member. No formal meetings unless committee deems necessary. 

Connie

Youth Communications Chair – write quarterly newsletter article and send to Publicity chair, monthly notes to junior anglers/sponsors encouraging anglers/sponsors to send photos to the IWFA Publicity and Website chair and creating if necessary and sending invitations to junior anglers and their guests for the Annual Awards Luncheon.

Julie and Jenny

Youth Membership Chair/Co-Chair – duties include managing applications, contact the IWFA Regional Rep Chair to notify Regional Reps of a junior angler in their region, keeping track of parental permissions and membership renewals, mailing (cost from donations) a welcome letter, a catch and release form, IWFA information letter, Junior Angler Program guidelines, species list and a hat. 

Molly and Carmen

Youth Awards Chair/Co-Chair – duties include mailing monthly certificates to junior anglers, procuring 2-3 sponsors for Annual Teen Angler Awards – award’s chosen with committee approval, notify Annual Award winners and their sponsors, follow up with presentation information, review Top Service Award applicants and present recommendations to the committee, and notify Communications Chair to make sure information is shared with Board and IWFA Publicity Chairman.  

Joanne

Youth Affidavits Chair – duties include receiving and tracking catch and release totals and record keeping. Present names of monthly award winners to Youth Awards chair after the 5 - day deadline for production of monthly award certificates.  Present names of Teen Annual Award winners to Award Chairs in the same time frame as IWFA guidelines.

 Respectfully submitted,

IWFA Junior Angler Committee:
Chair – Jenny Goodell
Awards - Molly Fleming/Carmen Perez Padron 
Communications – Connie O’day
Membership - Julie Brown/Jenny Goodell
Affidavits - Joanne Kolius