2008

At the Nature Center

• Expanded Retail Sales area to include minimal emergency camping & caving items & minimal toiletries, increased product line and added eco friendly T-shirts, water bottles, new hat line, plus showcasing our local artists
• Redesigned and up-to-date website, allowing fast and accurate way for the distribution of education and interpretive information
• A 23% increase for the Mountaineer Folk Festival and 100% participation in Christmas on the Mountain
• Donate cardboard toward the parks recycling program and volunteer in the VBC recycling program
• Friends sponsored summer Yoga Program was a huge success; The early morning turnout was between 6-20 participants ranging in age from 6 to 75
• With the help of the Park Representative & staff, a TN Arts Commission Grant was dispensed for activities with the Mountaineer Folk Festival for cultural awareness through the arts
• Applied and received Nonprofit Standard Mail rate mailing privileges, which saves money on postal costs and also supports local business growth
• Staff personel attended grant writing workshop in Bristol, TN
• Newsletter re-designed & consistently published for our members

Membership(s) & Community Support

• Tennesseans for the Arts
• Joined the Greater Van Buren County - Spencer, TN Chamber of Commerce
• Alliance for the Cumberlands
• Formed a Land Acquisition Committee
• Established Volunteer Chair Position to coordinate & further Friends volunteer efforts at the park while bringing awareness to park related issues
• Donated time & fundraising support toward the 2008 Relay for Life
• Work with the Tennessee Parks and Greenway Foundation
• Staff personel has attended:
  1. Team building program in Nashville - GET MOTIVATED!
  2. MMA Creative's Google Analytics class for better web site recognition and hits
  3. Chamber sponsored - State discussion on electric saving ideas in the workplace
  4. Van Buren County Leadership Graduate 2007-2008
• Requested exemption status through the State of TN 502(a)(2) approved
• Continue to have 501(c)(3) status (A Non-profit tax exempt status)

Purchases / Donations / Other From the Friend's

• Native American Artwork for the Nature Center (NC) to enhance overall appearance & cultural significance
• CD Player & musical Collection for the NC donated
• Merchandise / products donated for sale in the NC 100% proceeds going to the Friends (books - waterbottles)
• Purchase supplies for the EEC program, the Mountaineer Folk Festival & Christmas ont he Mountain
• Created/Maintain/update Friend's Website donated by board member
• Professionally designed & donated post cards, flyers, posters, logo & branding for the Friend's program
• Yoga mats, videos, books toward the Friends Volunteer Yoga Program

Activity Participation

• Completed Log School House Project
• Completed the Friends of Fall Creek Falls Cookbook -- Now on Sale!
• Maintain the Gift/Book Shop at Nature Center
• Co-Sponsored Mountaineer Folk Festival held every September
• Placed donation boxes throughout park, including a large painted box placed at the Fall Creek Falls Overlook
• Provided Environmental Education Center support
• Increased membership
• Sponsored the creation of a James M. Taft memorial display at the park
• Supported Lands Unsuitable for Mining Petition (LUMP)
• Participated in restoring plants in the park through the "Iris Fund" program
• Sponsored "Friend's Day"
• Joined the Greater Van Buren County - Spencer, TN Chamber of Commerce
• Attended State Parks Forum
• Attended first TN Chapter of the "Trail of Tears" Association at the Park.
• Completed State Audit
• Renewed State Charter
• Established Land Trust Committee
• Supported Wild Foods Day

Most Recent Accomplishments