Getting Started

If you are interested in starting a friends group at a property where none currently exists, "How to Form An Official DNR Friends Group In Wisconsin" (PDF, 29kb) will give you a good idea of what is involved with the process.

The first thing that a Friends group needs is a core of leaders to organize the group and help it through the initial phases of paperwork.  The park superintendent should have names of people who have volunteered or given gifts to the park; they are the most likely to be interested in participating in a local Friends group.  The Friends group and park superintendent should work closely during all phases of the organizational process.  A Friends group can be a great asset to a State Park property manager and can provide a source of funds, volunteer help and popular support.  Although Friends groups are independent nonprofit organizations, they are subject to special rules because of their connection to park operations.

Preliminary meetings

The goals of preliminary meetings should be to plan ways of interesting more people in the Friends group and to set up a formal organizational meeting.  A few of the first things for a Friends group to take care of are:

• Draft bylaws-—there is a sample version of the bylaws in the Wisconsin State Park System Friends Group Handbook that new Friends groups can use as a template.
• Find volunteers willing to serve in the four offices and the number of Board of Directors seats specified in the proposed bylaws.
• Establish a time for the formal organizational meeting.

Organizational meeting

The goal of the organizational meeting should be to set up a structure for the Friends group and choose leaders.  A few things to accomplish at the organizational meeting are:

• Presentation of proposed bylaws and action on them.
• Election of Board of Directors as provided by the bylaws.
• Presentation of proposed Articles of Incorporation and action on them.
• Action on motions to authorize the Board of Directors to apply for tax-exempt status and enter into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.

Initial duties of the Board of Directors

• Elect officers, as provided in the bylaws.
• File articles of incorporation as a non-profit, non-stock corporation.  A sample of the form is included in the Wisconsin State Park Friends Group Handbook.
• Apply for tax-exempt status with the IRS and from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
• Enter into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.
• Develop an operations manual containing the group's policies, standards, methods, business forms and other management tools.

The objectives of Friends groups as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources policy are:

• To promote department properties and programs to visitors and potential visitors.
• To provide and coordinate volunteer service for department properties and programs.
• To provide financial support to department properties, facilities, and programs for such things as development projects, land acquisition, programs and interpretation.
• Put particular emphasis on supporting the interpretive, educational and visitor service programs of department properties.
• Not serve as an official advisory group to the property or program with which affiliated..

Please address all questions and comments to the Friends Group Coordinator at 608-266-7617 or via email at Kate.Zurlo-Cuva@dnr.state.wi.us.