Greetings,
Thank you for the confidence expressed in me as next president of CVOA. I hope I can measure up to those who preceded me. I look forward to working with our members, officers and Board to provide activities, fellowship, and support to our community in the coming year. To Steve Smith, our outgoing president, a well-deserved thank-you for your leadership in the past year. We look forward to your continued work on our board as ‘past president’.
One of the major challenges Steve faced was finding members to perform the many functions done for many years by Cindy Foster, long-time CVOA Secretary and jack of all trades. These included Membership Manager, Newsletter Editor, Ski Trip Coordinator and many more. Steve worked with Cindy and others to find capable members who could assume these duties. He also has worked with and supported Jeanette Parker and Nancy Makin, who have been the driving force to resume our social activities. Most recently, Steve along with Diane and Ray Stone, guided the naming of the Range for Neal Trask and the celebration to honor him. He oversaw the return of our ski trips along with our trip leaders Mike Parker, Bonnie Farrar and Jon and Lee Goss to the great Western resorts of Big Sky, Snowbird and Aspen Snowmass.
It’s been a challenging two plus years for activities as we have tried to keep our friends and ourselves healthy. We are moving beyond all of this and are opening up our agenda and our gathering. In addition to the Neal Trask range and ski trips, CVOA will be offering other opportunities to be active and to socialize that we hope you’ll consider. They involve activities like paddling, bike riding, golf and hiking and these will be offered throughout the summer and fall. And there will be a social aspect to all of them, so you can meet and enjoy other members.
The Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association is a unique organization. It’s easy to become a member, with dues currently being $10 for an individual or $15 for a couple or family, and CVOA provides a lot of opportunities to participate, which is part of the beauty of this organization.
If a member wants to join a ski trip, fine. If you want to attend a Third Thursday social event, fine. If you want to use the Range, great, and you pay a bit more for its upkeep, supplies and safety. If you’re interested in helping with road clean up or trail maintenance, there is something you can do. If you want to create or volunteer to lead an activity or do some back-office work, we would welcome the ideas and help. And if you want to simply read the newsletter, enjoy.
As your new president, it will be my job to continue to crank up the activity level so that our members again can have opportunities to be active outdoors and to socialize. Your Board and Officers have planned a calendar of activities that will span the summer, fall and winter. All you need to do is to make a call or send an email indicating that you would like to be involved as a leader or participant.
Thank-you for your support and we look forward to satisfying our members’ desires to be active with other people, in the outdoors.
Thom