President's Annual Report 2009-2010

I thank you for your support this past year. I had no idea what the job of President would be like. It would probably have been easier if I hadn't tried to be Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Circulation Manager and Properties Manager at the same time. Well we are trying to resolve that on a going-forward basis. To look back on it, it appears ridiculous but no one brought it to my attention.

You will notice, in the Membership Report, that we've added quite a few new members, many of them local. This is encouraging and hopefully a source of new volunteers. None of the jobs I took on are overly taxing by themselves. If someone wants to take one on there will be an opportunity for others to help.

Beryl Fishbone is doing a great job in keeping the name of the Museum before the public with a number of programs. The 350th Blanket Collection during the Semi Septennial Celebration last summer brought in over 900 blankets, sleeping bags, afghans, sheets and towels. Some people had even purchased new. We provided blankets to the hospital cancer unit, the homeless shelters, the dog pound, even the homeless under the bridge. St. Vincent de Paul Place received over 300 blankets, towels and sheets. To think we were concerned we might not receive the hoped for 350 when we started.

Beryl also involved Norwich in the Great American Bird Count during February such that we received the most responses for cities in Connecticut. You might question what this has to do with the Society of the Founders or the Leffingwell Museum and you'd be right. The point is through this effort and the support of local newspapers the public knows there is a museum in town and things are happening there.

[When] you visit our website you'll see we have an active schedule for this coming season. There is both an opportunity to come and work with us or to come and visit. Beryl makes a great effort to plan programs that excite the children and are interesting to adults.

Since I've been a member of the Society there has been an effort to convert the building at 2 Town Street into some useful space. This year we can finally announce some progress. If you are in the neighborhood you will notice that the trees have been removed from around the Inn and in the space behind that building. The initial efforts are to provide access for heavy equipment to deliver cement for reinforcing the foundation at the back of the house and to provide a ground level floor. The number one objective is to provide a docent apartment on the second floor. It is just so reassuring to see some progress.

I'd like to thank everyone for responding to the Fund Raising request this year. Whether you were able to make a donation or pay your dues or both, it has made a big difference as we approach the end of the year. The first of June, every year, is the time to pay for insurance, and some polices have to be paid in full at that time.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as can make the Annual Meeting, but it is clear that it is out of the question for many of you. Be assured we couldn't manage without you.

Many Thanks

~Austin Jay Deming
President