The Pender Post was aptly described to me, shortly after I joined its board of directors, as “a very good example of what it is.”
I couldn’t agree more.
What we are is a community-driven newsletter produced and published by a non-profit society for the benefit of the Pender Island community. Our objective is to foster harmonious connections, support our island’s clubs, groups, and non-profit societies, and promote the health and vitality of Pender’s impressively rich calendar of social events.
The Pender Post Society’s constitution contains a more detailed definition, though its formality strips away too much of the passion of what we do for the liking of my reporter’s head and romantic’s heart.
The Pender Post is a diary the fortunate residents of these islands have been sharing with one another for over fifty-five years. The 671 volumes we have published since 1971 are a chronicle of what has happened in this community over that time.
It is collective dispatch from these club and community representatives, who fill our pages with fascinating updates and fresh reports on their efforts and events, to the people who feel intrinsically connected to these wonderful islands.
I have had an opportunity over the past several months to connect with many readers who have long lived on these islands and have watched – and just as frequently played a role – in our publication as it was born, grew up, and stumbled occasionally but always stood back up again.
The insights, compliments, and criticisms I’ve received have helped reinforce that The Pender Post is a collective effort, not a one-person project. It never has been and it never should be. It is a collaboration between the countless volunteers, members, island representatives, and readers.
I consider myself very lucky to stand as the president of this non-profit society, and editor of its newsletter. But those responsibilities mean nothing without the incredible support of a team of volunteers who are as committed as I am to what we do each month.
We are a cheerleader for the people who believe creating the best Pender Island imaginable starts with them, but can’t succeed without the support of countless others. It doesn’t matter whether they are a recognizable member of this close-knit community, or an unfamiliar face who recently moved in down the road.
Each new issue is a fresh invitation to be a part of everything that is happening here, and the next one is another chance to connect our readers with a catalogue of fresh possibilities.
The Pender Post is a very good example of what it is. What it is is the irreplaceable chronicle of an indescribable community.
That’s a description that both my reporter’s head and romantic’s heart can get behind.