The annual meeting for OSFR was held May 13, 2016 at Rum 138 headquarters with a full house all-seats-taken crowd. We were pleased to see some new faces in attendance as well as many old friends.
President Pam Smith gave a rundown on activities and presented two new board members, Sandy Hubbard and Anita Wright. She explained once again our three directives- education, advocacy and stewardship. Officers are President, Pam Smith, Vice President Terry Phelan, Treasurer Pam Blasetti and Secretary Colleen Whitehouse.
Policy Director Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson gave a summary of our main thrusts in advocacy – fracking, changing the Columbia County LDRs as a result of the chicken CAFO in Fort White, Sabal Trail, and the proposed phosphate mine.
At the end of the meeting, historian Jim Tatum listed some our many other activities and achievements during the past year.
A major change is coming, as Policy Director Merrillee, founding member and president for many years of OSFR, will be assuming a key position with Sierra Club.
Her position will be that of organizing representative. She will have a large area, 19 counties and will coordinate a broad, volunteer-based citizen education effort and build teams of workers for Sierra Club’s campaign to promote clean water for Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes and estuaries.
This position of one of the key directorships of Sierra Club in Florida, and is designated the Gainesville office, although in reality Merrillee’s office will be at Rum 138.
OSFR is proud to see this important step in Merrillee’s career and we wish her the very best, while thanking her for her many years of leadership and service with our organization.
Congratulations Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson on your new position with the Sierra Club…onward
Congratulations Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson on your new position with Sierra Club.