Aug2015_NETWORK TOPIC

I was one of the many attendees at the recent public meeting to discuss the future of our Dayboro Day Festival i.e. beyond the 2016 event.  The number of people interested enough to attend was, in itself, a positive sign.

Following a comprehensive run-down of the scope of work involved in organizing the festival, and the timeline on which this is based – i.e. starting several months prior – the attendees were asked for their queries and suggestions.

The direction of the discussion headed toward a need for a boost in the membership of, and active participation in, the Progress Association’s meetings and activities.

When you look at the scope of what this organization does each year:  Dayboro Day Festival;  Antiques & Collectibles Fair;  Monthly Markets;  Swaggies Christmas;  and annual Calendar, it is a very substantial workload for the handful of active members . . . . and they have been ‘at it’ for many years now.  Admittedly the Dayboro Day Festival also boasts a large number of volunteer helpers when it comes to the set-up, on-the-day assistance and the clean-up afterwards, but the core of the work to get it to this stage is currently handled by the Progress Association’s Executive Committee.  So Mark Hansen, Maria Hansen, Lexie Bell and Steve Adcock . . . take a bow for your tireless dedication to this in past years.  

Now, as a result of the meeting on Thursday 23rd July, we hope to see an influx of new members to the DDPAI (Dayboro District Progress Association Incorporated) and that those new members will be as enthusiastic going forward as was indicated at that meeting.

This situation of having the same people holding the same positions, year after year, within our various community organizations is not unique to the DDPAI.  

As a member of this community, are you prepared to step up and shoulder some of the responsibility currently resting heavily on their shoulders?  

…. Remember that many helping hands will lighten the load . . . So it is not just a matter of one person needing to put their hand up to take over . . . Step in now to support and assist these people.  Lighten their load, learn the ropes!

Doreen Spillman.