Purpose and applicability
The purpose of this SOP is to outline policies and procedures for Veteran service applications in order to create an organized process of selecting veterans for our guided programs. This SOP outlines steps of the application and review process in order to better select applicants and prioritize our services accordingly. This SOP applies to every veteran application received, and no services will be provided to any applicant who has not undergone this vetting process.
Application steps defined
- Online application completion
- Veteran will apply via Google Form link on website, answering questionnaire to determine initial qualification for services.
- Application review and initial determination
- Eligibile applications will be reviewed by a member of the SAGE board of directors.
- If applicant is determined eligible, he/she will be contacted and move to the next step
- If applicant is determined ineligible, he/she will be notified and removed from veteran application tracking
- Document submission and review
- Applicant will submit all pertinent documents proving military service and residency
- Documents will be reviewed by a member of the SAGE board of directors for verification prior to scheduling interviews or contacting references
- Interview and reference contact
- Applicant will conduct a virtual interview with at least 2 members of the SAGE board of directors
- A member of the SAGE Board of directors may contact the applicant’s listed referrals to further assess the applicant’s priority for services. This step is optional and at the discretion of the board
- Final determination
- SAGE Board of directors will hold a vote to categorize the applicant in one of three categories: accept, alternate, or deny. Categorization will be based on findings from interview and/or reference check.
- NOTE: We consider a variety of factors when selecting veterans for our program. Our primary target is selecting veterans with barriers to participating in similar activities elsewhere, and who we believe would benefit from the experience we offer. We get many applicants, and this selection process is never easy. That is why we encourage any veteran not selected to apply again in the future.
Application Final Determination Categories defined:
- Accept – Veteran selected for hunt this season (if tag is drawn)
- Alternate – Veteran will be offered the option to apply in SAGE’s units of operation, but is not guaranteed guiding services even if tag is drawn. If tag is drawn, and availability presents itself, applicant may be offered a fully guided hunt. If not upgraded to fully guided, Veteran will still be provided advice and mapping points to get started on DIY hunt.
- Deny – Veteran not offered services this hunting season, but encouraged to apply in the future.
Application Timelines
- Applications will be assessed annually in preparation for the big game draw season. Annual deadlines will be posted at sageveteran.com/veterans. Applicants who are not selected, or who do not draw a tag, will be encouraged to apply again the following season. Applicants who have previously been accepted are NOT guaranteed to be accepted in future years. We do our best to prioritize applicants, select applicants with moderate opportunity to draw a tag in current season, and help as many veterans as possible.
Accepted Veterans
- Once accepted, Veteran will be contacted and sent a contract and waiver to sign and return to SAGE. The contract will list the species selection, describe services to be rendered, the season the applicant is being offered acceptance, and state that no fee will be charged for these services.
- NOTE: species listed on this contract is the only species SAGE will be contracted to guide. If tags are drawn for multiple species, only the species listed on the contract will be guided. If listed species is not drawn, but another species is, SAGE may complete an updated contract for services, however this adjustment is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the board of directors.
Veteran Alternates
- We are eager to help as many veterans as we can, and we wish we could take all of our applicants hunting, but time, manpower, and funding limit how many veterans we can accept annually. Alternates are Veterans who may be able to hunt with us if availability opens before the start of the season.
- NOTE: There are many reasons an alternate might be offered a guided hunt including: SAGE receives un-forecasted donations that cover an alternate’s hunt; an accepted veteran did not draw their tag; an accepted veteran is unable to attend their hunt for an emergency reason (this could happen at any time before the season).
- Alternates will be offered the option to apply for tags with SAGE, but are NOT being offered a fully guided hunt. If a veteran chooses to be considered as an alternate, they will be sent a “Veteran Alternate Contract” and a waiver to sign prior to tag applications.
- Some alternates may be upgraded once tag results are posted, as this is when we can firmly schedule our hunting season.
- Alternates who draw a tag and are not upgraded once tags are released will be provided with some baseline mapping points to get them started on their hunt. No further services are guaranteed. Alternates also have the option to turn in their tag if they wish.
- If an alternate is upgraded and offered a fully guided hunt, a new contract must be signed prior to hunt, which will list the new services offered, and void the previous “alternate” contract.
Annual Application Timeline
Applications open June 1 for following year
Applications close February 28
Interviews and applicant determination May 1 – May 31