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Home > What did your $10 Membership buy in 2009 |
What did your $10 Membership buy in 2009
Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society
 Activities and Accomplishments for 2009
Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society
The Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS) was actively engaged in the Falls Church community during 2009. VPIS's major activities and accomplishments for the year, including new projects and core programs, are described below. Members of the Board are listed in an attachment.
New Programs and Projects
VPIS initiated several new programs in 2009 and conducted a number of one-time projects.
1) Five Environmental Goals for Falls Church: In June, the Board of Directors adopted a comprehensive statement of environmental goals that VPIS recommends that the City consider for the future. The five goals are:
Increase Tree Canopy;
Increase Sold Waste Recycling;
Reduce Release of Greenhouse Gases Causing Global Warming;
Increase Green or Pervious Surfaces; and
Promote Building Environmental Standards.
Each goal includes measurable baselines and performance targets for future years. VPIS will take specific steps to promote both the adoption of these goals and implementation of policies and programs to assure their attainment, including support of programs, such as tree plants, needed changes to local ordinances, expanded education, and periodic reporting on progress toward goals. .
2) Virginia Municipal League Award for VPIS Tree Program: VPIS and the City of Falls Church jointly received a 2009 Achievement Award from the Virginia Municipal Award for the expansion of the Neighborhood Tree Program. The expanded
program provides for planting of street trees on private property within 15 feet of the curb where City right-of-way property is not available.
3) City Signs: VPIS worked with the City of Falls Church to design, construct, and install new, large outdoor signs identifying the City of Falls Church at locations where major roads enter the City. Signs are installed at eight locations around the City.
4) 2009 VPIS Excellence in Design Awards: VPIS conducts a biennial Excellence and Design Awards program to recognize homeowners, builders, and architects that are producing beautiful additions to the City that are sensitive to the character of the Community. Winners of this year's awards are: Steve Handy and Claudine Pierce, 211 E. Columbia Street; Peter and Riva Adriance, 216 Great Falls Street; Edward Newburn, 713 Parker Avenue; Marybeth and Michael Connelly, 204 W. George Mason Road; Gregg and Doreen Ruyak, 103 N. Cherry Street; the Smiths, 117 E. Columbia Street; and Nancy and Skip Brandon, 227 Forest Drive.
5) Arbor Day Commons: The VPIS Board provided initial approval of funding of $15,000 to support implementation of improvements to the Arbor Day Commons portion of Frady Park in the City. A second vote of the Board on final approval will be held in 2010. The project includes plantings, landscaping, and signs describing Arbor Day and the role of VPIS in supporting Arbor Day over the years. This funding is in addition to about $10,000 donated to support Arbor Day Commons from the Falls Church Victorian Society, the Garden Club of Falls Church and interested individuals.
6) Community Grants Program: The VPIS supports a Community Grants Program to provide VPIS funding to community projects that are consistent with the VPIS Mission. In 2009, VPIS provided community grants to:
support for a student project at George Mason High School for landscaping and a new rain garden;
support a Boy Scout Eagle Project to establish a rain garden a the Falls Church Scout House on south Spring Street in the City;
support a project to provide internet communications and solar power in the Falls Church sister City of Kokolopori, Congo to enable communications among school children in Fall Church and Kokolopori;
membership support of local organizations including the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce and the Falls Church Housing Corporation.
Core Programs
Throughout 2009, VPIS maintained its traditional programs and activities including the following:
7) Arbor Day Event: VPIS worked with the Victorian Society and the City of Falls Church to host a celebration of Arbor Day at Frady Park, including recognition of the City status as a Tree City and the strong work of the Neighborhood Tree Program. The event recognized donation of memorial trees in honor of Herbert Grow, George Kelly, and Marie Stewart. The Victorian Society of Falls Church participated in the event and speakers included Jill Spense, City Arborist, and Sandra Tarpinian of the National Wildlife Society.
8) Neighborhood Tree Program: The Neighborhood Tree Program continued its long record of planting trees along City streets, holding major "Tree Planting Parties" in the Spring and Fall of 2009 resulting in the planting of about 35 trees. Several "Tree Squad" events to maintain and protect newly planted trees were also held. Since 2000, the Program has plants about 500 trees across the City.
9) Farmers' Market Booth: From the Spring through the Fall, VPIS operated a booth at the City Farmers' Market selling coffee donated by Starbucks and beverages and providing material and information on VPIS activities. The booth generated over $5,000 in sales and donations for the VPIS Tree and Open Space Fund in 2009.
10) Attic Treasures Sale: VPIS organized the Attic Treasures Sale at the Community Center. This major fundraiser for VPIS raised over $4,500 for programs and activities.
11) Spring Member Meeting: VPIS held its Spring member meeting at the Community Center. The meeting featured the award of the Spirit of Falls Church Award to long-time VPIS member and former VPIS President Ed Strait and a presentation on Green Renovation and Development featuring Patty Shields of Metro Green and Doug Fraser, Director of Building Safety for the City of Falls Church.
12) Memorial Day Parade: VPIS participated in the 2009 Falls Church Memorial Day Parade, winning a prize for its float, and hosted a booth to provide information to the public on VPIS activities.
13) Summer Concerts: VPIS organized and paid for a series of seven outdoor concerts at Cherry Hill Park on Thursday evenings throughout the summer of 2009 and enjoyed record attendance.
14) Independence Day Readings: VPIS organized the Independence Day Readings in the City Council Chambers on July 4th, providing a chance for local citizens to participate in readings of Nation's founding documents.
15) Fall Member Meeting: VPIS held its Fall member meeting at the Community Center. The meeting featured the presentation of 2009 Design Awards to a number of City residents and a presentation by Ric Terman titled "Mapping the Historical Development of Falls Church, with expert response by Linda Lau.
16) Fall Festival: VPIS hosted a booth at the City Fall Festival event and provided information and materials about VPIS programs to activities.
17) Watch Night: VPIS organized and funded the Watch Night (New Year's Eve) venue at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church.
18) Engagement with City Organizations: VPIS provided representatives to a number of City organizations, including the School Facility Planning group, the Civil War Sesquicentennial group, and the Task Force established to consider the establishments of an Arts and Culture District in the City.
19) VPIS Merchandise: VPIS continued to offer books and other merchandise for sale, including newly printed tees shirts of Cherry Hill Park, books and other items, including the A Virginia Village Goes to War: Falls Church During the Civil War.
20) VPIS Board of Directors Activities: The VPIS Board of Directors meet monthly to conduct business and held a summer social pot luck dinner in July in lieu of a monthly meeting that month.
Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society
Officers and Board of Directors
2009
Officers:
President: Jeff Peterson
Vice President: Karl Ensign
Treasurer: Ida Peterson
Recording Secretary: Melissa Teates
Corresponding Secretary: Barry Buschow
Board of Directors:
Terms Expire December 31, 2009:
Director Nancy Brandon
Director Elizabeth Meade
Directors Mark & Ellen Gross
Director Jon Hundley
Director Keith Thurston
Terms Expire December 31, 2010:
Director Meridith (Mary) Soule
Director Tom Clinton
Director Mike Slonim
Director Midge Wang
Director Carol Sly
Terms Expire December 31, 2011:
Director Gordon Theisz
Director Peter and Riva Adriance
Director Ruth Rodgers
Director Roger-Mark De Souza
Director Michael Volpe
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