SHERBURNE – Now approaching its second year as a volunteer-based non profit organization, Friends of Rogers in Sherburne is getting ready for its annual meeting to recognize its volunteers and pay homage to those who make it possible for the environmental education organization to provide year-round educational opportunities and family events.
The 11 board members that make up the Friends of Rogers committee will also reflect on progress the organization has made over the course of the year and outline goals established for the year to come. The event will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, at the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. Refreshments will be served and a special lecture about birds of prey will be presented by wildlife rehabilitator Cynthia Page, who will also have some live birds with her for demonstration. Non-members are welcome to join and will have the opportunity to become FOR members for the upcoming year.
“There’s been a lot for us to figure out and to adjust to,” said FOR Coordinator Cara Sefchick. “We’ve had to make some tough decisions over the year based on finance, especially lately,” she added, citing the recent cancelation of this year’s Animals of Halloween Festival – a favorite among FOR supporters. “There’s a lot of volunteer hours that have been spent to make it possible to get to where we are now and we have come a long way, but we’re not quite where we want to be yet,” she said.
While the organization is facing tough financial obstacles, not all is discouraging for FOR committee members, noted Sefchick. “We have some goals in mind and we want to keep offering the programs we’re offering now,” she said. Ongoing programs include regular lectures from natural and wildlife experts in the area and a regular kids drop-in program at the center. “We have some goals in mind for next year and we’re ironing them out now.”
In addition to this weekend’s annual meeting, FOR is also gearing up for a new interactive book club style discussion group on sustainability, energy and global warming. The course will convene from 7-8:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 27 and continue every Thursday until Nov. 8 at Rogers Environmental Education Center. Cost is $18 per person and registration is limited to 15 people.
Course members will explore the meaning of sustainability, energy use and personal values and habits as they relate to climate change. Weekly topics will evaluate ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the environment; and steps necessary to move toward ecologically sustainable lifestyles and communities. Each meeting will be facilitated by Colgate Sustainability Coordinator John Pumilio.
“He’s very excited about bringing these discussions here,” Sefchick said. “And we’re really looking forward to trying something new here.”
For more information about the Friends of Rogers annual meeting, the upcoming sustainability discussion group or any other upcoming events, visit their website, www. friendsofrogers.org, or call 674-4733.