We are now just one year shy of beating the odds of accomplishing what only 10-15 percent of all US nonprofits achieve*: Making it to 50 years of operation! And although inflation has placed a damper on what ought to be a purely celebratory period in our organization’s history, our Board continues to look for—and find—opportunities that quickly get us through what I am hopeful will be a temporary rough spot.
In the meantime, I ask you to not allow yourself to believe that this present bump in the road is the beginning of the end of the road! True, we did announce, in our Summer newsletter issue, that we’ll need to increase both the membership fee and the walk-in lecture fee in Campaign 49 to better ensure we can cover the increase in hotel expenses that will hit at the beginning of 2027. But know the Board has been working, for some months, to identify options that address both the known (and, possibly, as yet unknown) cost increases.
A reminder that our first meeting for Campaign 49 will take place at the Delta Hotel in Fogelsville on Tuesday, September 1. Lecture details are inside. I can’t wait, and I hope to see you there.
One last thing: I want to share the good news that a recent cancer follow-up check found nothing! I am officially cancer-free! I’m sure your many well-wishes played a role in my recovery. Thank you.
Barry
* Source: The Foundation Group