Editor’s note: Due to the important announcement below, SeEtta Moss’s “President’s Message” will be seen on the front page of next month’s Harrier.

 March program

HOW TO CONSERVE WATER

     On Friday, March 14th at 7:00 pm, in the Pueblo Zoo classroom, Jean Van Pelt from the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District will provide a slide presentation with information on how to conserve water in our landscapes.  Jean is the Education Program and Maintenance Coordinator for the SECWCD Xeriscape Demonstration Garden located in Pueblo, CO.  The purpose of the garden is to educate others about the unique style of Xeriscape landscaping and to demonstrate that it can be quite functional and beautiful.

     The word Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word Xeros, which means 'dry'. Xeriscape focuses on water conservation by using plants that flourish in the local environment and placing them correctly in the landscape.  It also emphasizes ways to create a nice landscape in a dry environment by focusing on methods that conserve water.

    This program continues AVAS’s goal of promoting environmental awareness among the general public. Please help us by attending the presentation and inviting others to attend with you.

     Our regular monthly programs are free and open to the public. Social time with refreshments begins at 7:00 followed by a short session devoted to Chapter issues. The featured presentation begins around 7:30

     If you haven’t to any of our programs before, come and join in the camaraderie!

AVAS BOARD IS NOW CONSIDERING NEW DUES STRUCTURE

     Similar to many Audubon chapters across the nation, AVAS is trying to find ways to remain financially viable.  Because the National Audubon Society no longer shares much of the members’ dues with chapters, we must raise more of our own revenues ourselves.

     The AVAS Board recently learned of a plan worked out between a Wyoming chapter and NAS that seems to promise better income for AVAS.  According to that plan, when soliciting a new member or when it becomes time for a chapter member to renew, the chapter sends a letter asking the member to check one of the following choices:

  * New member, $20 (chapter receives $15)

  * Renewing member $35 (chapter receives $15)

  * Senior/Youth renew $26 (chapter receives $6)

  * Chapter membership only $15

     The first three choices are joint NAS-chapter memberships and would function the same as now, except the dues are collected by the chapter. The chapter membership would allow a person to join without being a member of NAS. This dues schedule has the advantage of providing more income for the chapter while not increasing the cost of membership. If AVAS were to adopt this schedule, our members would be asked to ignore dues notices from NAS and respond only to a personal letter from AVAS by filling out an enclosed form indicating what type of membership is desired.

     At the present time, continuing members are requested to pay dues of $35 to NAS who then returns a small portion to the chapters.  Soon NAS may not return any. The proposed plan will keep $15 for membership in the local chapter which will then send $20 to NAS for the membership renewal in National.

   The AVAS Board requests input from all AVAS members about this issue.  See phone numbers on page 3 or email SeEtta Moss at <seettamoss@hotmail.com>.