What's Your Excuse?
by Glenda Rowley, Membership Chair

It is once again time for all Victoria Park residents and businesses to join or renew their membership in the Victoria Park Civic Association (VPCA). For those who have already submitted their 2007 membership dues, we thank you for your loyalty and support. However, if you are one of the over 75 percent of the neighborhood residents who have not joined or renewed, what's your excuse?

Whether you are an old-timer or a new resident, you know that Victoria Park has name recognition throughout Broward County and beyond. There are many factors that account for that but one is the strong presence of the VPCA, which has been actively working for years to make this a great neighborhood.

Currently, the work of the VPCA benefits everyone who lives here, member or not. Every resident may receive the newsletter, attend the social functions, enjoy the beautification projects and reap the benefits of the Association's involvement with the local government agencies without having to lift a finger or pay a cent.

However, the VPCA cannot exist without funding sources and the sacrifice of all the wonderful residents who volunteer their valuable time to serve as officers or on committees or who just come out to volunteer for the Home Tour or any number of other VPCA sponsored projects. If you read the newsletter, you know about the children's events, the aesthetics projects, the CERT team, the social events, etc.

In this world there are "Givers" and "Takers" and each of us has the choice of which to be. So, you can sit back and "take" all the benefits of the VPCA while staying totally uninvolved or you can "give" to your community simply by paying a small membership fee. Even better, you can participate by sharing your talents, serving on one of our various committees or volunteering for a special project. The membership form is printed on the back cover of this newsletter.

Please show your support by filling it out and sending it with your check today.

Over the next few months I will be submitting articles addressing and debunking commonly heard excuses for why residents do not join the Association or become involved. I challenge anyone to send me an excuse that cannot be debunked!