Forest Fire Lookout Association Inc.
New Jersey Chapter

A proposal for consideration

Project name: "Home Base"

History;

In 1990, the beginnings of the group that took the name of "Committee of fire tower enthusiasts'" met at French Creek State park, next to the Hopewell fire tower in Pennsylvania. During that first meeting so long ago, thoughts, ideas, plans, and hopes for the future were laid down. There were many ideas bounced around that day and for the most part, it was a rewarding experience to get folks together from several northeastern states to think about forming an organization to research and chronicle the
story of fire towers and forestry lookouts. We at first were narrowed to the northeastern United States in our thinking but before the first year had elapsed, we were joined by others from the western United States as well who shared our vision.

Before many years we were steadily increasing our representation and were beginning to influence the "fire lookout" community. Our humble newsletter increased in circulation and got better in content and structure. Today, twelve years later we are just as determined now as we were back then. Back in French Creek in 1990, those present also envisioned some day that we should have a "central office" or headquarters where the Forest Fire Lookout Association could call it's home. Other organizations have succeeded in this area and back then, this was also part of the grand plan.

This of course takes a lot of planning, energy, financial backing and just plain "good luck". This year, 2002, I would like to iniate "Project Homebase "which will be an effort to achieve the goal of finding , funding, and establishing a Central Office for the FFLA.

Purpose: Our Association is made up of Chapter directors, and Executive board members, including a National Treasurer, National Historian. National Secretary, Eastern deputy Chairperson, Western deputy Chairperson and a National Chairperson. Those positions are elected for two year terms. (Chapter directors are appointed or elected by a Chapter membership) The "National Office" then is the residence or business address of the then current Nat'l Chair and so forth down the line. Each new term the "National Office" changes it's address.

With our own Association headquarters nationally established, we have a foothold, a physical place, common ground, a center, a place where the FFLA is and can be found, regardless of who or where the presiding executive officers are.

Where do we start ? Our membership is somewhere between seven hundred to a thousand members scattered across the nation, Canada and Australia. That means there are seven hundred to a thousand "other" ideas out there and an equal number of suggestions and possible answers to "project homebase" I've already had suggestions and moral support from several members, the call is out there for all of us to find out if this is feasible.

Our Association is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which technically is therefore our legal address. In the past we have agreed at Conferences to
Utilize the Forest History Society as a repository for our Lookout research to those members who wish to do so. The US Forest Service may also in the future be an answer to archive lookout research. There may be other alternatives also yet to be explored, but as a physical work place, office, and central headquarters, that all can identify with, we are lacking in that and that is the basis behind Project Homebase.

For ideas and suggestions about "Project Homebase" email Bob Spear, NJ Chapter at lookout18@juno.com