Laying Groundwork

It’s been over a month since my last post, and most of that time has gone into laying groundwork for the Kitsap Audubon Society.

In April, we elected next year’s executive board, and I’ll continue on as treasurer. Our board operates as a working board, which means we’re not just focused on strategy—we’re also handling the day-to-day operations. That overlap has been on my mind for a while. I’ve started working toward a clearer separation between governance and operations, with the goal of bringing in more volunteers to support both sides.

A lot of what I’ve been doing lately is building systems that make it easier for people to step in and contribute—things like recruitment, onboarding, and defining roles more clearly. One example: we recently had someone volunteer as an accountant. Not the treasurer—that’s still me—but someone focused specifically on the accounting side. It’s a role we’ve never separated out before, so I had to figure out how two people could share responsibilities without creating confusion or extra work.

That led to building out a small framework—site, training materials, user guides, and a plan for how we divide tasks and communicate. Even something as simple as shared email took some thought. It’s still early, but the new accountant is already up and running, which feels like a good sign. This is the kind of structure I’d like to build across the organization—something that makes participation feel clear, manageable, and inviting.

Planning all of this at the same time as turning 50 made something click for me. I realized I’m trying to do the same thing in both places—be more intentional with my time and who I share it with. Not just doing more, but doing things in a way that creates space for others to be part of it.

I turned 50 yesterday, and to mark it, I planned a trip around the Olympic Mountains. I intentionally built the route around birding locations, mixing them in with time in Olympic National Park. I flew my brother in from Massachusetts so he could experience Washington and join me in chasing a few memorable sightings. My wife came along as well, which made the whole thing feel complete. At the end of the trip, my oldest daughter joined us, and I found myself quietly proud of how much bird knowledge she’s picked up over time—enough that she wasn’t just along for the experience, but actively noticing and naming things right alongside us.

Birding always adds something to an experience—it gives me a reason to slow down and pay attention. But this trip reinforced something a little different. The moments that stayed with me weren’t just the birds themselves, but who I was with when I noticed them. It felt less like checking off sightings and more like sharing time in a way that actually sticks.

Over the next few posts, I’ll walk through each day of the trip—locations, sightings, and the moments that made it what it was. First up will be Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Grays Harbor.

For now, just a few photos from along the way as well as a screenshot of my finance workspace.