President's Year-end Message

(6/15/09) As my term as SFABA President comes to an end, I’d like to reflect on the past year as we chart a course for the future.

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago that Art Schwenger left the position of Executive Director, and we welcomed Mary Vilbon to the post to help us direct the operations. While each of you may view our accomplishments from your own business perspective, here are a few I would like to point out from mine.

We:
• Rebuilt our committee structure focusing on what we needed to address in marketing, communications, member benefits and fund-raising events to provide more opportunities for you and your colleagues to become involved in Association activities; and you did.
• Established this new monthly electronic news bulletin to keep you informed about the people and activities of your organization.
• Established a regular series of monthly marketing promotions (such as Valentine’s Month, Opera Month, Blooming Village, etc.) to keep a sustained level of buzz in the region about things to do and see in the area.
• Revamped the Website for a launch next month as our most effective marketing tool (3 million hits annually!) with an individual Web page for each business to enter text and photos as they wish.
• Expanded membership and welcomed back some old friends, recognizing that more businesses are not competition, but add to the draw of the area.
• Launched a series of business workshops with the Franklin County Community Development Corporation to help members build skills to advance their businesses.
• Planned and conducted major community events such as Moonlight Magic, Bridge Dinner, 10K Road Race, Auction, Golf Outing, and more.
• Cleaned and reorganized the office and established expectations for customer service and responsiveness to members.
• Set expectations and clarified responsibilities for Board members around participation, project involvement and communications, and added new members to the Board.
• Implemented ‘behind the scenes” policies and procedures to ensure consistent and standard operations of the association.
• Restructured the dues schedule to provide more value to members while being sensitive to the economy.
• Refocused on member benefits such as a discount oil program.
• Continued regular communications with the towns and worked with Shelburne and Buckland through the Area Partnership to file grant requests and address issues of concern to members.

The list goes on, but I hope you see the picture - - an active and growing organization dedicated to its members and responsive to your needs. Most of the work described was accomplished by a small percent of our members giving a great deal of their time. Imagine what we could accomplish if every member volunteered just a little time to the SFABA. We’ll be calling, and I hope you’ll offer your time and skills. We’re here to serve you, and your feedback and involvement in our activities makes us a stronger organization.

Thanks to all for your ideas, volunteer time and support during this transitional year. It has been my pleasure to serve as your president, and I am pleased to turn over a strong and vibrant organization to your new president, Bruce VanIderstine, of On the House Builders.

Susan Flaccus, SFABA President
Kenburn Orchards Bed & Breakfast