April marked the 55th anniversary of our beloved publication. An impressive 55 years of volunteers and contractors coming together to inform and unite this community of dwellers and visitors. I have come to realize The Pender Post is one of the keys to living here.
Yet, for the first two years of my living full time on Pender Island, I slept on this local treasure. Relying solely on frequently checking our Pender Facebook groups, I often found out about events I would have loved attending way too late. But what I lacked most, and one of the top reasons I moved here, was the feeling of being part of a community, and getting involved in helping others.
One of my lovely neighbours, Jan Wallace, mentioned over tea that The Pender Post Society was looking for volunteers and board members. I had browsed an issue here and there, and thought to myself “Meh, this isn’t really my jam”, offering up my partner instead.
But Jan had planted a seed in me. The next time I shopped at Tru-Value, I spotted and bought the Post’s current issue, and proceeded to read it cover to cover, as many of our readers do. I immediately “got it” this time, and felt embarrassed for not discovering it, and seeing it for what it is, sooner: suddenly, I felt part of something bigger.
I better understood what my peers were up to, and I finally knew ahead of time which events I might want to attend that month! I could buy tickets before they sold out, write down activities in my planner, and start thinking about groups I might want to volunteer for. And guess what, the Pender Post Society appeared in my top 5, ha.
Jan introduced me to a second board member, Ann Coombs, for whom I quickly developed immense respect, and am happy to now consider a friend. Ann introduced me to then-president Annie Smith, a sweet, talented human I feel richer for knowing and having collaborated with for several months. I was welcomed at the table with open arms by other incredibly smart, caring, passionate women like Dianne Allison and Val Butcher, who have been volunteering for the society and its publication for decades. Learning about the baked treats they bring to board and editorial meetings sealed the deal for me: I was totally in.
As is my nature, I sat and watched a lot at first, learning the ways of the organization and its people. I quickly found out that my ideas were welcome, and that I definitely had a voice at the table. I have been able to play an active role in the society’s endeavour to modernize and embrace change. In more ways than one, my social life was enhanced by choosing the society as the very first Pender group to join: by expanding my social circle and filling my calendar with events to attend.
Meeting more lovely humans along the way, as the society’s board members and contributors changed, I made new friends and acquaintances, and got to discover many of the local groups and clubs, old and new, as I read their reports each month. It’s my hope that you too, dear newcomer, find a group to get involved with that welcomes all of you and your special talents, and, of course, read The Pender Post regularly, to enhance your days on our beautiful islands.
Reading The Pender Post changed my island experience entirely. I hope you have been more clever than me, and are already enriched by its monthly issues, events calendar, website, and social media posts.