office hours
Former Eagleville School House
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2011 Annual Meeting President's Comments
 GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE 45th ANNUAL DINNER MEETING OF JOSHUA"S TRUST. My name is Allison Burchell-Robinson and I am delighted to see and meet so many of you tonight. If you have picked up your copy of the annual report, you will learn that I am the President of this wonderful organization.
The annual report this year is dedicated to Richard Schleicher, a good and giving friend of the Trust in so many ways. His last gift to us was the land that he loved. Richard died earlier this year. Richard’s son, Randy, is here with us tonight. Randy, thank you for joining us tonight as we honor your father. As this is a dinner meeting, a time to catch up with friends and have a fun night out, I will be mercifully brief as we do have a full agenda. As many of you know, Joshua’s Trust received accreditation from the National Land Trust Alliance Commission in February. This truly is a mark of distinction. Connecticut has 115 land trusts and we are one of four accredited. We could not have achieved this land mark status with out the incredible hard work of Madge Manfred, chair person of the accreditation committee. Unfortunately, Madge is not with us tonight as she chose Manchu Picchu over us but we appreciate her dedication and commitment to the Trust. You may have noticed a blow up by the welcoming table reflecting some facts and figures about Joshua’s Trust. If you haven’t done so, please take a minute to read them. This isn’t a quiz, but even some of the Trustees were surprised by some of the information. Fact, 95% of our land is from gifts. Fact, our biggest asset is our land. Fact, our land is also a liability because it costs money to protect and take care of it. Speaking of money, in my last column in our newsletter, I mentioned the need to increase our membership to support us as we move towards the future. I thought I was doing well by bringing in five new members. Roseann Gottier, former Trustee and a member of the Development Committee has brought in 15. She is here tonight. Find her and talk to her to learn how you can do the same. We might even have a contest. Joshua’s Trust is an all volunteer organization with the sole exception of John Pagini, our Conservation Coordinator and even he is part time. He is also a wizard who manages to get everything on his always over crowded plate accomplished including the annual report. John also donates part of his time as a volunteer. Thank you John for all that you do. You may have heard me say this before, but our volunteers are the backbone and the core of Joshua’s Trust. Volunteers are needed in all areas, not just the land. We need office help, help with the financials, help with the newsletter, membership recruitment…the list goes on. Some of our volunteers have a high visibility. Joan Hill, Gary Griffin, Hill Bullard, Madge and Warren Church to name a few. Others do their work quietly out of the public eye. One of our really behind the scene volunteers is the recipient of this years Presidential Award. For many people this person is their first introduction to Joshua’s Trust. If you’ve seen the web site for the trust you know the admirable job that Gail Chernosky has done. Her work is innovative and creative. Thank you Gail. Joshua’s Trust is a grateful recipient of the work you have done and continue to do. 
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