Growing KFTC’s membership means growing our power in Kentucky

“What we do to the land, we do the people.” We hear this often in KFTC: in conversations, on posters, in our writing. So, it should follow that, if we aim to be good stewards of the land and the place in which we live, we must also work to be good stewards of the people. Fostering, protecting, caring, sustaining, growing…these are integral to doing the work that is building toward the world we want to see – the world described in KFTC’s vision where “…Kentuckians – and all people – enjoy a better quality of life.” That work can’t happen without the people. In this instance, I’m talking about KFTC members – past, present, and future.

Our work is inextricably linked to our membership. It is developed, guided, and executed by you and me. It’s a cycle that doesn’t end. With spring swiftly moving into summer, the neighbors all up and down my road are tilling and planting their land for the growing season. The last time I planted a garden I planted too much; I was overzealous and couldn’t keep up with the weeds or come up with enough recipes for the zucchini – I was reminded of how much care and tending goes into raising a successful garden.

In order to make the changes we want to see in Kentucky, we need to continue to grow our membership

In order to make the changes we want to see in Kentucky, we need to continue to grow our membership. We’ve recognized, more than ever, over the past few years the importance of cultivation for a purpose. Unlike me with my overflowing zucchini (I couldn’t even give them all away), KFTC members are not just another number. We are the backbone of what will carry this body of work into the future – and it is up to us to do so with as much care and enthusiasm as we can muster. This is not to say our current practices and methods can’t be improved upon – they can. This is a call for us all to do just that.

We’ve all become part of the KFTC family through different entry points. It is the conversations, fellowship, and work toward a common vision that have kept us here. Maybe you know someone who was a member when you first joined KFTC but you haven’t seen them around lately. Maybe that person is you. Maybe you met someone new to KFTC at an event and have been meaning to get in touch with them. Maybe you’ve been meaning to become a Sustaining Giver but just haven’t gotten around to it. I know all of those “maybes” have been the case for me at some point.

Whether we’re talking statewide, within our chapters, or just as individuals, we all have a part in growing KFTC in a sustainable way – in engaging each other as members in a way that both retains our investment and encourages us to give more. In being good stewards of KFTC, it is also our responsibility to reach out and get to know others who may see themselves in some aspect of our work.

I’m excited about KFTC in 2015 for many reasons, but especially for our potential to grow when it comes to stewardship. It’s going to take all of us, all of our intentionality and heart, to successfully grow to match the scale of our beautiful, achievable vision.   

Elizabeth Sanders serves on KFTC's Executive Committee as our Secretary-Treasurer. She is also an active member of our Letcher County Chapter