Want to make a difference?

By Jason Frederick

Want to help out on a project that your chapter is working on? Have an idea for a project that you think the Space Coast Audubon Society should be working on? Now is your chance.

Our beloved President, Sarah Linney, has come to the end of her term limits and needs a replacement. Our Vice President's position might be available. Our Secretary's position might be available. Our Education chair position IS available. Our Conservation chair position IS available. Several other positions are available.

You can be an officer or board member with little or no experience. Learn as you go. We did. We were also tricked into our positions. Okay maybe not, but as for me, I had no idea what I was doing when I became a board member and Field Trip Coordinator, yet I have taken it to levels that people keep reminding me that I am crazy for doing.

I took my position on the board, because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to continue what Allan and Helen Cruickshank help to start with others like the Eichhorns, Carrol Holland, Doug Stuckey, Hal Scott, Lon Ellis, Bill and Pat Meyers, Bob Brown and countless others. Helen Cruickshank wrote in "Birds of Brevard County" that when Allan passed away that he handed his responsibilities he had shouldered to the hands of others. I thought that it was time for me to step up and help take on some of those responsibilities. It can be hard work at times. Sometimes it is a thankless job. Sometimes it seems that the project will never get done. Yet we continue on, because if we do not stand up and give a helping hand to protect the birds and wildlife and to help to conserve the habitats they live in, who will.

Far too many times I heard what will Audubon do? What is Audubon going to do? What is Audubon doing to stop that? I took a step back and said, I am an Audubon member and as member, this is what I signed up for. To make a difference. To do what other could not or would not do. To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. That is Audubon's Mission Statement and that is my job.

If you have "free" time to spare and want to help make a difference, please contact one of the board members or officers and tell us how you can help. Some positions require very little time each month, others require several hours. We are volunteers just like you. You will not be required to do more than what you can. We have requested new board members before, but time is running out on this term and replacements are need now.