It’s my privilege to talk to you for the first time as the FSC Board president, when we’re all coming together again after the challenging uncertainty of a world wide pandemic.

I am grateful for the steadying leadership of our outgoing president Hilary K. During that time. Hilary always kept her eye on our community’s unity and safety, and as a result FSC’s doors remained open for the alcoholics and addicts who needed its shelter, with policies in place to proactively comply with legal standards. Hilary is an excellent communicator and admirably kept the board and membership informed throughout her term. On a personal level, I have been blessed with Hilary’s friendship, and I am happy to know her.

FSC members elected me as their president just over three months ago, and the season of my presidency is different. We are now a community coming out of the pandemic, renewing old relationships and rolling up our shirt-sleeves to responsibly refresh our community home.

I am so pleased to be working with an experienced board that is committed to making sound decisions on your behalf. This way we can learn from and build on our past.

I am excited too to see new energy added to your team. Susan W. and Brie B. have stepped up to serve as Volunteer Coordinators, and as a result things around the Club are looking clean and shiny again after our first Volunteer Clean the Club Day.

I am excited by the individual members who have seen things that need repair and offered their services. You will notice the bathrooms are brightened up with a new paint job thanks to a volunteer. One member saw a bike rack that needed some attention, and he’s given his time and skills in giving it new life. Another member fixed an unsightly hole in the clubhouse wall. This kind of community ownership is just one way to improve our surroundings without unnecessary expenses. You guys, we have an entire village of talent. If you see a way in which you can join the effort, I’d love to hear from you.

The transition from our pandemic world means that some of our community participated in recovery activities through Zoom technology. Matt H. is reaching out to those members to see how FSC can best serve them, and how much of our involvement they want.

Upkeep and resources are always an issue to a club as busy as ours. Parking lot maintenance is just one potential expense we will have. The whole board is excited to have Sandy N., an experienced grant writer leading the effort in hopes that FSC can tap into grant opportunities to help ease the financial reliance on members.

The pandemic did impact our active membership numbers, which have fallen considerably, and I would like to see those numbers climb again. Let’s get back to proudly using our membership mugs, and encouraging our fellows to join us in supporting the FSC mission.

And have you heard about our Sponsor a Tree project? The club is in the process of establishing a new arborvitae tree line that will serve as a privacy wall. There will be 30 trees, each available for sponsorship of just $150. Please take a look at the information below. I think it’s a nice way to be part of FSC’s enduring landscape, at a reasonable cost.

I am humbled and grateful for your faith me, I will do my best, and I am excited for what lays ahead.

Yours in Service,

Vern Alt

FSC Board President