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2024-2025 Strategic Plan FOBC

Friends of the Beaverkill Community (FOBC)

DRAFT Strategic Plan of Action

2024 – 2025 and beyond

FOBC LEADERSHIP TEAM and areas of interest

  • Siobhan “Sam” Bennett – FOBC President [Grants, Branding/Communications]
  • Brian Sullivan – FOBC Vice-President [TBD]
  • Josh Grier – FOBC Treasurer [Internal finances and DEC collaborations]
  • Colleen Connell – FOBC Secretary [TBD]
  • Chris Kissock – past FOBC President [Communications, Branding etc]
  • Patricia Adams – FOBC Founder [Advisor]

ACTION SUMMARY 

2024

  • September First new Executive Team meeting DONE 
  • November/December Draft Strategic Plan of Action
  • November Email all membership with calendar (Christmas Eve Service etc.)

2025 and Beyond

  • Jan/Feb Zoom Call with all FOBC Membership – Strategic Plan Rollout and feedback
  • April/May 2025, the leadership team will roll out the Goals to the FOBC community
  • More to follow

DRAFT ACTIONS 2025 – Goal find projects to undertake, as well as provide mechanisms to grow and enhance the community

  • ADMINISTRATION 
    • Confirm existing committees and consider additional committees as needed
    • Recruit strong FOBC members to join/lead above Committee [Siobhan]
  • SOCIAL – lean into the social underpinnings of FOBC
    • SUNDAY JUNE 1, 2025 – SIGNS OF SPRING – EMAILS TO ALL – WELCOMING COMMENTS – NEW SUGGESTED Memorial Day Weekend Membership Picnic  – confirm (kicks off the season) [Siobhan and Josh]
      • The Annual Picnic is important. There had previously been a picnic at the beginning of Spring which could possibly be re-established. It created a “beginning of the summer” vibe that is different from the end of the summer one. Josh reported there is $4,200 available in the FOBC account for social events. [Josh]
    • Annual FOBC Membership Picnic [All]
    • Christmas Caroling remains a key event to draw the community together, in addition to the annual picnics. It is important to continue to host this event. [All]
    • Other
  • BEAVERKILL IMPROVEMENTS and ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
    • D.E.C 
      • Thank and recognize D.E.C. the GOOD work they are doing [Patricia]
      • Collaborate with D.E.C. 
        • On 20 warning signs on and around the Covered Bridge and people still crash into the markers.  So why do we need so many signs? Do you think if FOBC — do we still have a campsite committee? suggest to the state or Highway Dept that one or two would be sufficient.There once was a suggestion — highway dept I believe— that there be lights shining all night.  Thank heavens that didn’t go through. [Patricia]
        • Remove terrible weed taking over the sandy beach— no reason to leave it there. Particularly when the rest of the campsite is greatly improved over the past couple of years and is beautiful.  [Patricia]
      • FOBC being assigned to be the local stewards of the DEC Program for the campsite, and the recent re-application by the FOBC to retain that assignment. [Josh]
      • Find DEC replacement for  Bill Rudge (sic) to identify possible future projects with the DEC. The Parks & Trails Organization of NY State seeks organizations like FOBC for its projects, however it has historically wanted larger and more professional entities for grant giving.  [Josh]
      • Other
    • Continued Improvements other Hiking Trail along Beaverkill River to campsite (D.E.C. and/or other partnership)
    • Training and social FOBC events focused on 
      • invasive species eradication (D.E.C. and/or other partnership) [Siobhan]
      • Planting and supporting native pollinators (possible partnership with Catskill Mountainkeeper) [Siobhan]
    • Partner with Beaverkill Community Church
      • Lemonade and cookies after service [Siobhan]
      • Music/other from FOBC members [Siobhan]
    • Beaverkill Valley Land Trust (BVLT) can collaborate with buying and protecting land, according to Patricia. She will send minutes to the FOBC officers which include information on the work of BVLT. Prior engagement with BVLT and Kate O’Connor got local people to have their trees treated. FOBC can align with BVLT and other organizations to amplify their voices. [Patricia]
    • Iron Bridge Old Barn and School, which are sitting empty, located across the iron bridge. She thought there may be a possibility of using them for the community to meet, as a mini-museum, etc. The structures could potentially be restored or moved. [Patricia]
  • GRANT WRITING 
    • Write assertive grants for above projects – we feel there are significant funds we can attract.  S. Bennett has extensive experience writing and managing large grants both vocational and avocational [Siobhan]
    • Other
  • BRANDING and COMMUNICATIONS
    • SIOBHAN AND COLLEEN will work on collecting stories from Ragin and Elm Hollow Roads respectively – and will invite members to send their own and any corrections needed for future stories.  All stories will be posted on FOBC website + collected for future publication. Stories of the Beaverkill FOBC Stories could be a third book/edition. Siobhan noted that she intends to write the stories of Ragin Road. She also knows of writers who are available to transcribe stories as was done for the Roscoe community. Colleen stated that her husband and sister-in-law are interested in writing/sharing family stories from Elm Hollow Road. [Siobhan/Colleen]
    • Website – Update the website and Instagram page for FOBC, as noted above. Suggestions were made to add a “Donate Here” button on the website. Consider changing the photo on the website to reflect the four seasons, keeping the website fresh and not stale. The website is a good way/place to rejuvenate the FOBC membership. [Josh]
    • Email List – Using the email list is important for FOBC’s communication balance the importance of email etiquette and manage expectations to avoid people unsubscribing due to being annoyed.  [Chris]
    • Membership Dues – decision to curtail dues paying during the Covid pandemic due to lack of events or projects. He thought the FOBC officers should discuss whether to reinstate dues paying which could lead to more engagement by members. The FOBC can raise money as a 501c3. [Chris]
    • Branding – Chris discussed his branding expertise and offered to help FOBC with that.