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	Vol. 13, No. 3	Provided free of charge to our monitors and affiliates	Winter 2009

President's Message

Challenges Ahead

Bill Monagle
VLMP President

I would like to begin by wishing all a very happy and prosperous New Year. Looking back on the past year it was by all accounts a very positive and productive one here at the VLMP. Financial support for the organization in 2008 was at an all-time high, but the program faces tough challenges in the year ahead. As most of you know, in the last few years, the VLMP has stepped up its campaign for private donations to offset the lack of growth in the level of financial support provided by the state and federal government. As a result of your generous support, we have just concluded a very successful year. Even so, the level of unrestricted support received from foundations and grants was less than forecast, and as a result, the program’s reserves have had to pick up the slack.

The 2009 fiscal budget was a top agenda item at the January VLMP board of directors meeting, and in looking ahead to the coming year, it was agreed that the program must (and will) stay on course. The staff and the executive committee will closely monitor the budget throughout the year, to insure that the program has the resources necessary to provide essential training and support to our hundreds of volunteer lake monitors throughout Maine. The Directors also noted that the VLMP is a vital program in a state rich in lake resources such as Maine, and that there really is no alternative or substitute organization in Maine prepared for, or capable of, providing the services that we do.

We fully recognize that reducing or eliminating programs is not an option at this time, while acknowledging that maintaining the program cannot be accomplished for less than what is being budgeted for 2009. Mindful of the strain that the current economy imposes on all of us, I hope you agree that Maine’s beautiful lakes and ponds deserve the highest level of attention provided by hundreds of dedicated volunteer monitors and invasive plant patrollers throughout the state, the program staff, and of course, the private individual donations needed to help maintain the effort. On behalf of the VLMP, I’d like to close by thanking all who contributed to the VLMP in 2008. We look forward to your continued and thoughtful support in 2009.

 

Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

vlmp@mainevlmp.org
24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 783-7733
www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org
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