FOOT was founded in 1998 with five goals; (1) to have fun, (2) to organize local non-motorized walks and bike rides, canoe/kayak paddles and cross-country ski trips, (3) to be advocates for local trails and to help build, maintain and map them, (4) to be of assistance to existing trail and conservation organizations in our cities and towns, and (5) to focus on but not be limited to the three Newburys. That's pretty much what we've done, although we've expanded our geographical and type of event coverage slightly. We have led or co-led about 170 events since then, mostly hikes and trail work parties, but also canoe/kayak trips, bike trips, historic walks, poetry walks, mapping projects, cross-country ski trips and other human-powered events. We have cooperated on various events and projects with more than 30 other local conservation organizations. It has indeed been fun, and hopefully useful. The sun has shown on a vast majority of our events.
But the time has come to consider FOOT's role in the Greater Newburys area.
Does an organization such as ours continue to have an important role to play? Many other organizations now offer overlapping events, such as Essex Heritage's Trails and Sails Weekend and the Coastal Trails Coalition's very successful promotion of rail-trails and bike routes.
As you can see from our rather short list of events this fall, we are not doing well. The problem is not financial at all. We have operated on a budget of about $100 per year (to pay for our paper newsletter) and that has been easily raised and satisfied our needs. Our treasury is in OK shape. Nor is the problem lack of ideas for interesting local hikes and other events. Rather, the issue is finding people willing to help organize and lead the events. We have had a small group of dedicated leaders, mostly those on the Steering Committee. But now we need new blood if we are to continue. Leading is not hard to do, as those of us who have been leaders can tell you, but it needs enthusiasm for the idea.
We would like to hear from those of you who have participated in the past about whether FOOT should continue, and if so, any ideas you may have about how to best do so. Contact any member of the Steering Committee by phone, email or paper. Contact info:
Tom Horth, 978-463-8843 or neltom@hotmail.com. Joe Teixeira, 978-462-2973 or jcteixeira@comcast.net
