Making Connections at our Annual Meeting 2024

On Saturday, January 27, in the Houff Student Center at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, the chapter came together for our much-anticipated annual meeting and potluck, transforming a routine gathering into a celebration of shared passion for nature and environmental stewardship.

A highlight of the event was the potluck, where tables overflowed with a display of homemade dishes and each contribution mirrored the diversity of the group itself. 

The agenda included engaging presentations by Harrisonburg’s Greenspace Manager, Jeremy Harold. Jeremy presented Harrisonburg’s Pollinator-Friendly City and Urban Forestry programs, providing an overview of their histories, current and future initiatives, best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities for citizen support and involvement. 

New board nominations were presented by President Peggy Plass and accepted by the chapter members. Welcome to the new board and Committee Chair members:

• Outreach Committee Chair – Kelly Kipps
• Volunteer Service Projects Committee Chair – Judy Bartlett
• Membership Committee Chair – Anthony Adamovich
• Secretary – Andrea Dono
• Continuing Education Committee Chair – Elaine Smith (re-elected)
• Newsletter and Website Committee Chair – Rob Beaton 

Beyond the formalities, the gathering offered a chance for members to connect on a personal level, fostering relationships that extend beyond the annual event. Friendships were forged, and a sense of community was strengthened, contributing to the resilience and cohesiveness of the Headwaters Master Naturalists.

– Rob Beaton, Newsletter and Website Committee Chair

Click on an image below to make it bigger, see captions and start a slide show. Photos by Carl, Adrie, Elaine and Rob.