Newsletter_Mar 14, 2016 - the Dripping Springs Community

Newsletter, March 14, 2016 - Vol 33, No 3
In this issue
 POB - We all had a good time
 Planning for the new year and beyond (you can help)
 Membership, every organization's life blood
Pouring Over Books . . .
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so
we have included a bunch, and will keep the
chatter to a minimum. Everyone who came really
had a great time. Nathan Brown was fantastic,
Dominique Couto-Levens ensured the food was
delectable and Veronique Wade and her crew from
H.E.B. served up the complementary wine with equal aplomb. The Wine Divas brought their
own brand of fun, as did the Hill Country Ramblers with some down home country music.
Bill Paige kept the show moving apace. Marshall Kuykendall deftly introduced our author.
The silent auction, our first, made some extra money for the cause. Kathryn and Erich
Oswald, who made their striking venue, Prospect House, available at no charge, we can't
thank them enough. Add to that all the fantastic sponsors and volunteer manpower, it is
no wonder the event played out beautifully. Check out the pictures, courtesy of PODS
photographer, Chris Wiltens. Note all those wide smiles, and plan now to get in on the
action come next February when we'll do it all again. Thanks to everyone who participated.
And the very best part, it all went to support our community library.
We all laughed and cried with Oklahoma Poet Laureate, Nathan Brown, who donated his services 'cause he "loves libraries."
Melva Codina, Marcia Atilano
Prospect House owners, Kathryn &
Erich Oswald with daughter, Marlo
Author David Young, John Hoag
Poet Nancy Fierstien, husband John & Bill Paige
Marshall Kuykendall, noted local historian
The Wine Divas made the selections, H.E.B.'s
and yarn spinner introduced Nathan Brown crack staff handled the pouring
We were surrounded with great music. Billie Garza's Hill Country Ramblers kept things humming.
Pun Nio checks out the book signing.
Nathan Brown & emcee Bill Paige
Multi-talented Nathan Brown, wove a beautiful tapestry of music and poetry
Drippin's own Poet Laureate,
Doyle Morgan Fellers
Underwriter Scott Daves
& Sue Blackburn
Claireen Fellers. left &
art donor, Judy Johnson
It all comes down to the money. Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers,
performers, ticket buyers, contributors of in-kind merchandise, regular and Life
Members. You all played a part in making this the biggest year ever for our support
of our community library. And we had some good times and generated a lot of
community spirit while doing it. Hats off to outgoing President, Bobbie Hentschel,
who finished her years of service with style and grace.
Your support of the Friends has contributed to expanded children's programs,
upgraded computer equipment, early childhood learning software, summer reading
programs and many other projects by providing essential discretionary funds for
our library's use.
We hope you will become a member, or renewing member, of the Friends.
Together, good things will happen.
Incoming Board, re-focused, energized . . .
The incoming Board decided very quickly what its key priorities will be in the
coming year. At the top of the list is growing our membership and our volunteer
base. Doing so will allow us to more effectively fulfill our mission, which is to promote
the public use of the Library, foster an appreciation of the Library's cultural and
educational value to the community and encourage and support improvement of the
Library's resources and services.
Toward that end, President John Hoag appointed V.P. Peter Durkin to chair the
Nominations Committee which, together with Karen Crowther and Dominique CoutoLevens, will collect all necessary information to vet potential candidates for leadership
and other volunteer roles. The Board is working to compile a matrix of our manpower
needs, both as to diversity and skill set, which will be used to evaluate potential
candidates. The intent is to attract stakeholders from every facet of the public who
interacts with the Library. Said Hoag, "To meet our goals, both now and into the
future, it is essential we connect with and involve the Library's broad constituency."
Added Durkin, "We know there are a lot of very talented and committed people who
strongly believe in the vital role the Library plays in our community. Our task is to
identify them and enlist their support."
The bottom line is that YOU can help. Attached is our Nominations Form (which
is used to capture information on any manner of volunteer activity). Please consider
how your interests and abilities likely will match up with one or more of the Friends'
needs; fill out the form and turn it in at the Library front desk. We welcome the
opportunity to get acquainted and see how we can all work together for the Library's
betterment.
Pictured l to r:
John Hoag, Pres
Theresa Marquez, Treasurer
Peter Durkin, V.P.
Pictured l to r:
Dominique Cuoto-Levens, Board at
Large
Karen Crowther, Board at Large
Mary Claypool, secretary
FoDSCL Nominating Committee
BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATION
(Use of this information is limited to consideration
by the Nominating Committee and Board of Directors)
CANDIDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
Candidate
Spouse/Partner
Name
_________________________________
__________________________________
Cell Phone
_________________________________
__________________________________
Email Address
_________________________________
__________________________________
Occupation/Employer _________________________________
__________________________________
Business Phone
_________________________________
__________________________________
Mailing Address
______________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS (Include relevant details; attach bio if available.)
Educational background/skill set:
Previous and current employee and volunteer experience/commitments:
RECOMMENDATION
By ___________________________________________ (name of Board or Nominating Committee member)
Please describe why you think this person is a good candidate for the FoDSCL Board of Directors or as a Committee
Chair. At a minimum, consider the following:
 Interested in/committed to FoDSCL mission.
 Comfort with diversity in the broadest sense.
 Self-confident thinker and communicator.
 Willing to learn, to educate, to advocate.
 Mission- and goal-focused.
 Independent thinker; team player
 Able/willing to commit time, talent and/or financial support.
Attach recommendation, or write on the back of this form. Sign, date and return to Nominating Committee Chair or
Board Vice President.
______________________________________________________
Signature
___________________
Date
________________________________
Cell/Text Phone
Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting the Dripping
Springs Community Library since 1983. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Membership, our life's blood . . .
We know it sounds trite, and you've heard it before. Nonetheless, it is true.
Without your support as Members of the Friends, we could not function. Over the
past thirty three years, the number of paid members has fluctuated widely. In recent
history, we have begun to see an increase, and this year we hope to build on that
momentum. Remembering there are roughly eight thousand library users, there is
every reason to think that Friends membership could easily double and re-double
and then double again.
Some might assume, because the Library receives (a tiny) slice of the Sales
Tax pie, it does not need volunteer manpower and financial support. Wrong, wrong,
wrong! There is never enough money to accomplish all we would like. The Library
is no exception. Next time you or your spouse or teenager or other family member
are taking advantage of all the wonderful technology and other opportunities at your
library, and all without charge, please think about paying ahead a little something in
order that you and others can enjoy those same benefits in the future.
MEMBERSHIP FORM ATTACHED - PLEASE PRINT IT, FILL IT OUT AND
RETURN IT TO THE LIBRARY FRONT DESK WITH YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE
MEMBERSHIP DONATION
-ORGO ONLINE TO www.mkt.com/fodscl AND PAY BY CREDIT CARD
Your membership will help guarantee the Library will continue to thrive and serve
the needs of the growing Dripping springs community
A sincere get well wish: We were anxious to
greet our latest Life Member donors, Sandra
and Philip Laipis (pictured right), at Pouring
Over Books. They never made it, and we were
thoroughly disappointed. Disappointment
gave way to real sadness when we learned that
Sandra suffered a broken ankle that day and
she and Philip spent the afternoon at the
emergency center rather than with us. We
wish her a speedy, pain free recovery.
Newsletter Editor - John Hoag, ojh@salusmundi.com
Comments and suggestions always welcome