Happy New Year SFBAVeg'ers!

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

It's funny how the end of the year always bring reflections on the year

coming to a close. With SFBAVeg, it really seems that we've had some great

accomplishments this year!

 

Our humble beginnings on in October 4, 2001 seems like a long

time ago. An obvious accomplishment is our growth in members, from 150 to

our current 670+ members. However, just looking at the numbers alone

doesn't tell the real story.... SF Bay Area Vegetarians has evolved or

matured from " just " a mailing list into a large community group that offers

support, friendship, with regular planned events to meet/mingle with

like-minded folks. Plus, our mailing list is the largest public regional

veg/AR mailing list that we're aware of. It serves as a useful tool to

facilitate communication for our own members as well as other groups (.

 

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support of

SFBAVeg. There are many ways in which folks have supported us -- first,

simply by joining, helping us show that we are together in our veg*n

lifestyle. Additionally, by participating in our online discussions,

sharing news, asking or answering questions, our community becomes richer

for its knowledge base. However, there's more than the online community

with SFBAVeg -- it's the folks who have joined us for one of our events this

year that really give " faces " and meaning to the voices of SFBAVeg. It's

been really great meeting so many of you and sharing vegan food and new

friendships. And, the best praise & support has been generously given --

when folks refer the group to their friends or associates. It is a

tremendous compliment and a responsibility to be viewed as a resource to the

local veg*n community.

 

SFBAVeg is not really a traditional group since membership costs zero

dollars $0 (yep, free). Anyways, despite our lack of financial status, we

have been fortunate to have had several fun & well-attended activities

throughout this past year, from restaurant outings to VFPs to our first

annual camping trip.

 

April - VFP at Golden Gate Park

June - Camping trip at Butano State Park

July - VFP at Montara State Beach, SF lunch

August - VFP at Tilden Park with Contra Costa Vegetarians, SF lunch, Dinners

at Herbivores & Golden Era

September - Brunch at Herbivores

November - VFP in San Jose, SF lunch

December - VFP in San Francisco

 

(VFP = Vegan Food Party, a wonderful opportunity for everyone to

showcase/share their vegan cooking skills and try/taste many yummy vegan

foods. Next one is Jan 10th in San Mateo, see calendar below)

 

We've also had some fun contests with great (donated) prizes too. This just

shows that it's not money that really matters -- it's support from the

members.

 

In particular, we'd especially like to give our heartfelt thanks to Lori and

Mary who helped us make the transition from outdoor Vegan Food Parties to

cozy indoor VFPs in November and December. You can see some photos from

previous outdoor events http://www.generationv.org/photos.htm

 

Already on the SFBAVeg Events calendar for 2003 are a few more fun &

delicious VFPs (thank you Lyman, Nicole & Regina, and Kim!) plus we'll be

hosting Dr. Michael Greger for a community presentation in March --

http://www.generationv.org/events.htm Please bookmark this page to find

the latest news on SFBAVeg events.

 

On the technical side, we now have an alternate bulletin-board forum that

offers an opportunity for categorized discussions plus some neat " bells and

whistles " like photographs displayed with posts, nifty graphics (do you

know who " the veggie avenger " is?) http://www.generationv.org/forum/ More

info on the forum (why, future, etc) was in our original post announcing it

on Friday the 13th at: SFBAVeg/message/3218

 

SFBAVeg is a free membership organization. We merely request that you " pay

your dues " by giving something back to your local SFBAVeg community --

contributing to discussions, participating in events, organizing/hosting

events, etc! It's really the efforts of all of us that have made SF Bay

Area Vegetarians what we are today, and what we will be tomorrow. Think of

the movie " It's a Wonderful Life " -- let's all make a difference where we

can, in our own ways... regardless of why we do it, whether it's for the

animals, the environment, our own health, spirituality, or simply

preferences for the taste of veggies -- it ALL makes a difference!

 

Thanks to everyone for a fabulous 2002 -- we are looking forward to an

equally awesome 2003! If you have an idea for an event, or (better yet)

are interested in hosting an event for SFBAVeg, please contact us. If

you're new to event planning/hosting, we're happy to assist or help with

questions.

 

We wish you all a healthy, happy & vegan-food-filled 2003!

 

Cheers,

Tammy & Chris

Founders/List Admins, SFBAVeg

 

Be-A-Veg with SFBAVeg!

 

Join the vegan r/evolution!

http://www.generationV.org/

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FREE vegan info kit:

http://www.veganoutreach.org/starterpack/free-vsp.html