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President's Swan Song

by Dennis Clower, President, Board of Directors

As I related at the Fox Trot Ball, I remember my recruitment as a Fair Hill Board Member as having occurred while I was flying with Larry Klevans in his "Black Eagle", balloon; and the swans came up and flew with us. Therefore it is appropriate at this time that my last message as President be my "Swan Song." Like Mark Twain who came in and left with Halley's comet, I came in with the swans and I leave with my Swan Song.

I wish I could say that my tenure as President of the Board has seen a resolution of all the issues and difficulties that confront the Nature Center. But that would not be true. There have been high points and low points; but I prefer to dwell on the high points. In response to our year-end Special Appeal, we found a great number of friends who were willing to help. This gives us not only a financial lift but an emotional one as well. At the same time as that was going on, we were also engaged in the beginnings of a reevaluation of our Strategic Plan. This will be ongoing but is headed in a very positive direction to ensure our continued existence and expansion of programs. Of course, the usual numbers of elementary students were served over the past two years, which has always been our primary focus, but also the number of family and other programs has expanded considerably. The current Board believes that we can continue to expand this recreational piece of our vision and we are committed to do that with the expert assistance of our staff and volunteers.

I continue to be gratified, if not amazed, by the number of good people who are willing to work to make the mission of the Environmental Foundation a reality. This includes Board members, staff members, volunteers and supporters. It inspires all of us to see that others are pitching in and helping too. I know of no other enterprise that is more worthy of our time and support than the promotion of "responsible stewardship through an appreciation and understanding of our environment."

It is tradition that the swan sings its most beautiful song, right before it dies; hence the expression. I do not intend to die, however, nor even to leave the Board of Directors quite yet. There are some projects I want to see come to fruition before that. But it is a natural part of life that deaths and retirements occur. It is also essential to the health of an organization that there be changes in leadership. I am pleased with the direction we are headed and have no doubt that we will prosper under the changes. So while this may be my "Swan Song" as President, it is not my final act for the Nature Center. And with your continued and increased support, we have every reason to believe that there will never be a need for the Center itself to sing that song. Its current song has too much vitality.

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