Welcome to fall as it has arrived, along with the cooler temperatures, shorter days, and a lengthy list of projects for all of us to complete before cold weather sets in.
Our Board of Directors recently held our second annual Reach the Peak Adventure Challenge and this year’s event was definitely a success. Participation at the event, held Sept. 22nd at Arrowhead Recreation Center, was heart warming. Over thirty kids raced the one mile free course that preceded the adult race. Those racers ran up and down Arrowhead at full speed and the smiles on their faces were a wonderful sight to see! When they finished their race, and while they were cooling down and waiting for their medal ceremony, over 80 adults fought to claim victory in this year’s adult event. We had added obstacles, enhanced other obstacles, and lengthened the course this year. Without exception racers ended the 3.55 mile race with broad smiles and cheers from on-lookers as they scaled the last obstacle – a 12-foot wall that was a new feature this year. Momentum for this fundraiser continues to grow and comments we’ve received since the race indicate it will continue for the foreseeable future. Thank you to all of those who supported this year’s effort, including Arrowhead volunteers, Claremont Recreation and School Departments, and to a host of businesses and individuals who supported our efforts.
I must thank each and every one of our ten volunteer Board members as well. I am proud to say we had 100% participation from our Board for this event. Plans were underway in early 2012 and Board members were engaged from the onset and at every step of the way. They sought sponsors, helped produce the forms, marketed the event by distributing brochures around the region, helped build the course, volunteered the day of the event, and helped take the course down after the race. I am proud to be a member of such an engaged group of community professionals who volunteer to see that our organization can continue to help our neighbors remain in their homes and independent.
Our Board will now move onto our next fund raiser – our annual letter appeal, which will be mailed out in November. A project that was also implemented last year, our annual letter appeal is our second largest fundraiser. Board members will identify potential donors and will personally sign letters asking for their support. When the campaign ends, in early 2013, we will begin work on our third Board fund raiser, a dinner with a portion of the proceeds committed back to our Agency to offset unfunded and/or under funded programs.
Board involvement in our fund raising efforts increased dramatically last year. Fundors had asked that we try to raise more money through fund raisers and the Board stepped in and committed to three distinctive projects. We were very pleased with our first year results and we are hopeful that we will raise added dollars in each area this year.
Membership to our Board is by invitation. Prospective Board members first meet with our Executive Director to review Board member roles and responsibilities, as we want to be certain individuals who serve on the Board of Directors understand what we expect of them before they make a commitment. Board members are allowed to serve two
three-year terms in office. We are very fortunate to have a solid cross section of Board members who represent not only a variety of walks of life but also a cross section of our geographic community. I am honored to work with them and am most appreciative of their support.
I would encourage you to get involved with a non profit agency that provides services to those less fortunate than yourself. The experience is rewarding and agencies in
our region could certainly use your help. I would be happy to talk with you about opportunities within Community Alliance as well.
With warm regards,
Matt Blanc, Chair
Board of Directors
Community Alliance Transportation Services
