Newsletter Aug 2021

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As we recover from a difficult year caused by the covid-19 pandemic, we are fortunate that our members largely remained safe. Zoom meetings have allowed the board to keep functioning remotely and for us to host interesting webinars on cheese making and the new Meat and Animal Sciences facility.

I am looking forward to resuming in-person activities this fall including our signature event the annual Corn Roast in the recently renovated Lakeview Shelter! Alice in Dairyland and Dean VandenBosch will be there and I hope to see all of you too!

Looking forward we need to determine how our organization will sustain itself for another 100 years with an aging membership, and how we can excite younger people to join Demeter. We need to look at ways to attract faculty and staff with and without families. This is different from asking people to join us as a mature organization of mostly retired persons.

Are there new student support ideas that can be targeted to young faculty?

Demeter creates both fun and educational events that promote fellowship. Yes, we work hard to raise and distribute funding for students in CALS, to sew head coverings for women undergoing cancer therapy, and to host amazing events like the fall Corn Roast with corn raised at Arlington Experiment Station and cooked by us in lieu of catered foods, and we volunteer to plant bulbs in Allen Centennial Garden; but we also know how to have fun! Babcock ice cream treats always follow bulb planting with warm discussions among friends. This is what I have experienced in my short years as a member of Demeter and what distinguishes Demeter from many other voluntary organizations. Let’s work to help others appreciate this opportunity as a Demeter member and to look toward ways to include and embrace new members in today’s busy world.

Sally Leong, Demeter President