John J Zeugner, AICP
September 2008
Hope everybody had a great summer - lots of outdoor time, breaks in the routines and even a get away or three. My only regret is that summers seem to race by, faster and faster. Time do fly !
Your Executive Committee met twice during the summer, with the help of a great facilitator, to discuss our needs, our vision, and the changes we want to accomplish in the Richmond region - in a way, to discern how we can work smarter, involve more of the group, and make more of a difference in these crucial times.
Look at what we’ve accomplished in the last year: helped launch the Citizen’s Energy Plan for Virginia, Dr Robbie Cox speaking in December, the Easter & Earth Day celebrations, best Yard Sale ever, a great newsletter, website, and blog; and success in many conservation areas: water rates, Swift Creek watershed planning, tree plantings, greenways and lots of cool hikes & trips.
The main projects we’ll be focusing this year are greenways, cool cities and tree planting, education & helping get new recycling programs started, promoting transit and biking, and protecting favorite places.
We (Ex Comm) all discussed having too much work to do and how we needed reinforcements and helpers - we decided we would reinvigorate &reactivate our committees and recruit new members to join. Adel stepped forward to lead the Conservation committee, and take on a half dozen conservation initiatives, provided we all help (reader, this means you too!)
Other committees include consolidating finance, budget, and fundraising; outings, outreach, and programs; legislative & political; membership, marketing and publicity; and newsletter, web & blog. We’ll have Committee tables set up starting in September, and ask you to get more involved. We’d also like to restart education efforts, and work more closely with our many partners, so there are opportunities for you there too…
I mentioned crucial times earlier, and think what is at stake in the next few months - a national election and a Virginia senators’ race. I’m not taking a political stand, but I deeply believe that the fate of the planet’s environment will be decided by this election, and surely this election will be decided by citizens who speak up and take action as well as by those who shirk their democratic responsibilities and put their own interests ahead of sustainability and survival.
Be brave, be true to your faith and vision. Talk with your friends and colleagues, post your preferences, write letters and infuence people, keep the campaigns on the high road, and recommit to making this world a better place.