The 2012 Team Leader Reports are now available for the Forum. This is Part I of IV because of the size of the document.
Ed Lowrance and John Engs, our Project Committee Co-Chairs, have done a great job of summarizing the success of the Friends' this summer, and here are a couple of excerpts from their Co-Chair report in Part I:
"The Friends supported six week-long work sessions during 2012, completed in Chama NM, Antonito Colorado, along the C&TSRR mainline. The Colorado Springs work group continued work on the Immigrant Sleeper car #470, with twice a month scheduled sessions. While not a part of the Project Committee’s work, recognition should be extended to the large number of volunteers working behind the scenes preparing grant applications, writing software programs, traveling to planning sessions - all in support of the Friends restoration mission......
"Work hours donated by our volunteers during the six regular work sessions total 12,659.The Colorado Springs group added 850 hours for a total 13,509 hours. Using standard data of $20.00 per hour, the Friends organization contributed $271,800.00 in value.
"The Project Committee joint chairmen are so very grateful for all the volunteer workers. They make “working on the railroad” a rewarding experience for all who participate through their work and generous financial assistance.
Thank you! Ed Lowrance & John Engs"
Ed wanted us to explain that the $20 figure is the way we are allowed to value the Friends' in-kind contribution to the railroad in our fund-raising efforts by organizations like Independent Sector.com who audit overall labor rates in order to calculate the economic value of non-profits to our society. Also, the 13,509 figure does not take into account the many hours spent by Friends' volunteers at home doing the work that keeps the organization going.
Outstanding effort!
Ted