President's Column Spring 2021

I recently made a purchase of a single item at the hardware store, and I was pleasantly surprised NOT to be offered a bag.  While I know one of the main objectives of the new law is EXACTLY this outcome, it is gratifying to have this experience, as it truly gives me hope that our collective work is having a positive impact.     

Welcome to the NYSAR3 spring newsletter and please let me introduce myself, as I was recently elected as President of the Board.  I would like to thank the members of the board (NYSAR3 Directors) for their faith in me to continue the work of many fine leaders and would like to express tremendous gratitude to Kelli Timbrook for her caring leadership and expertise as president over the past four years.   

The NYSAR3 Organics Council, and especially the Conference Committee, deserves a huge CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS for once again creating an engaging and incredibly informative Organics Summit (April 13-15).  Of course, they were faced with the limitations of not being able to meet in person, but certainly rose to the occasion of finding great presenters and creative formats.  If you weren’t able to join, I would recommend checking out the documentary “Kiss the Ground” which is available on Netflix.  Conference attendees were invited to view it and then attend a discussion panel which was held on the day before the conference opening session. 

There is certainly a great deal of informative and important info included in this news update.  Just to mention a few, be sure to check out the information on the NYSAR3 Annual Conference and a very special announcement; a heartfelt goodbye to a good friend, a look at our current legislative initiatives and, well, so much more.  Thanks for taking some time to see what’s happening in many of our chapters and to find out about some great opportunities for those working to improve the way New Yorkers deal with waste reduction.