NYSOGA Membership Information and Application
Guiding has enjoyed a long and colorful history in New York State. Early surveyors and sportsmen needed help in traversing the northern wilderness so they engaged the services of old woodsmen.
Many of these first “guides” were trappers, hunters, or loggers who “hired out” to occasional visitors for extra cash. As tourism flourished, guiding became a full-time profession and resulted in the Adirondack Guides Association being formed in 1891. Following World War II, the lure of the wilderness waned and the Association all but dissolved.
By the 1970’s, the public showed a renewed interest in the outdoors, but had difficulty locating reliable guides. Thus the old tradition of “guiding” was revived in 1981 when the informal New York State Outdoor Guides Association was formally incorporated.
THE PURPOSE OF NYSOGA
The purpose of NYSOGA, established by its Board of Directors, is to:
- Promote safety in guiding for guides and their clients.
- Provide educational and marketing services for NYSOGA members.
- Increase awareness of the professionalism of guiding with the public and with the land management agencies.
- Participate in legislative reform for the betterment of guides, the profession of guiding, and the health of our natural resources.
Please click on the membership hyperlinks below to go right to that topic or just scroll down and read about each one to find the one that best fits you.
NOTE: To join NYSOGA you must have a New York State Guide license for ACTIVE membership. ASSOCIATE membership is available to former NYS licensed guides or a current guides who no longer works at guiding activities.
If you do not have a license to guide and are interested in obtaining one, please go to our General Information page for information on how you can receive your NYS guiding license.
[ Active Membership ] [ Associate Membership ] [ Membership Application ]
NYSOGA MEMBERSHIP GROUPS
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP – Dues $75 a year
To become an Active Member an individual must:
- Hold a current license to guide from the State of New York.
- Submit a completed application for membership.
- Pay the annual dues of $75.00.
Here are the Benefits of being an Active Member:
- Access to the members only area on the NYSOGA website for access to our group insurance program and pro guide discounts.
- Representation in the Department of Environmental Conservation, through our Legislative committee, on topics related to and effecting the guiding industry in New York State.
- The recommended image aspect ratios are:
- No text on images
- Content submitted through this form must be an original photo from the business.
- Members will be verified prior to content being published on NYSOGA channels.
- Image criteria includes: high quality images (not pixelated or blurry), content will meet social media platform guidelines, no blood or graphic imagery will be posted.
- Free Facebook Event Sharing – If you have pre-scheduled trips (events) we will share them on the Facebook page. All you must do is create the event in Facebook and send a link to the event in an email to Ed Moran with the subject line “NYSOGA Member Event Facebook Submission” and we’ll schedule it for you. Posts should be from a business page to conform with Meta guidelines.
- Shared Social Media Content – Increase your reach on social media! Tag us @newyorkoutdoorguides and we’ll share your posts on our channels (subject to the editorial calendar and quality guidelines). Posts should be from a business page to conform with Meta guidelines.
- Free business listing on the NYSOGA website with a direct link to the member’s website.
- Email notifications of all inquiries for guide services received by the NYSOGA website.
- NYSOGA rack cards with space for your business contact information.
- Use of NYSOGA logo for guiding promotions.
- Representation at trade shows and events.
- Opportunity to participate in all NYSOGA events, including training and networking.
- Right to vote at the Annual Active Membership Meeting.
- Membership certificate, card, and pin.
- One year subscription to Guidelines, the NYSOGA publication of outdoor news.
- Opportunity to purchase official NYSOGA products.
The post is a paid ad with a value of $35 and sends potential clients directly to your website or social media channel listed on the NYSOGA website. If you are listed on the NYSOGA website and don’t have either a website or social channel your contact information will be listed as it is listed on the NYSOGA website. We will use the business description you provided for the NYSOGA website in the text of the post and ad. If you would like to update your business description on the NYSOGA website, you can either update it at time of renewal on the membership renewal form or send updates to Lee Godin. Please keep in mind, there is a $10 fee to cover administrative costs. To take advantage of the “Member Spotlight” benefit you just need to upload an image for use on the post, HERE. Please submit an image that you feel best represents your business.
Submission Guidelines: • Landscape aspect ratio 16:9
• Square aspect ratio 1:1
• Vertical aspect ratio 4:5
• Images will be cropped to fit the placement as needed
- • Landscape aspect ratio 16:9
• Square aspect ratio 1:1
• Vertical aspect ratio 4:5
• Images will be cropped to fit the placement as needed
Please fill out and submit the online Membership Application below with payment.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Dues $40 a year
To become an Associate Member an individual must:
- Be a former licensed guide or licensed guide who no longer actively works at outdoor guiding.
- Submit a completed application.
- Pay the annual dues of $40.00.
An Associate Member receives:
- An invitation to all NYSOGA events.
- One year subscription to Guidelines, the NYSOGA publication of outdoor news.
- NYSOGA monthly e-newsletter and other electronic communications pertinent to member guides.
Please fill out and submit the online Membership Application below. Once you submit. You will be brought over to the payment page.
NYSOGA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION – MAIL IN INSTRUCTIONS
Please click here to download a PDF of NYSOGA Membership Application. Do you need a PDF Viewer? Please click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Guides applying for ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP – Please complete and return the application, along with the description of your guiding activities and the $75 membership fee payable to NYSOGA. Once you are listed on the NYSDEC “NYS Licensed Guides” webpage, you will be eligible for active membership.
Inactive guides applying for ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Please complete and return the application along with the $40 membership fee payable to NYSOGA.
Please mail completed application with payment to:
NYSOGA, c/o Lee Godin, 26 West Mountain Lane, Berne, NY 12023