WCAS Conservation Lab Generates Collaborative Projects by Kurt Miske, Chair, Conservation Committee

​What is exciting is that we’re making progress by creating a system to explore and sanctify projects on an ongoing basis.

​Resting on your laurels is only good for so long. A stagnant organization will eventually wither and die. WCAS routinely has functions that fulfill our mission, and that is wonderful. But routine means not growing and not being exceptional. If you are not growing and/or changing, you are declining. 

At WCAS, our last major project was the IBA study, headed by Tom Romito with a cast of many. The WCAS Board of Directors explored ‘the next’ special project but continually ran into the same constraints – a lack of consensus on what it should be, where we would find the volunteers and how to fund it.

This resulted in a two-fold endeavor. First, we determined to become more active with social media, which we figured would expand public knowledge and interest in WCAS and its causes. With that would come new members, volunteers and donations. Good start! But insufficient! Second, we decided to try a different process to determine the next project.
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Tom and others conceived the idea for last November’s program – a recounting of some past projects and the outcomes. 

What’s a WCAS Conservation Project Lab?? Kurt Miske, WCAS Board member and Conservation Committee, Chair, talks about why WCAS launched Conservation Project Labs at Bethany Presbyterian Church in the Gordon Square Arts District and what's happening because of them.

This, in conjunction with social media, we hoped would generate interest in members, sympathizers and even the general public in starting and funding one or more projects. And the ideas for the projects would come from those who might carry them out!

​The November meeting was a launching event. Now we needed a way to bring people together and flesh out the next part. The Conservation Project Lab, first met the following Saturday at Bethany Presbyterian Church in space generously provided by Pastor Sharon. Attendees were from both the general public and WCAS. Facilitated by Tom, we worked on possible projects that would influence and promote conservation (especially as it relates to birds), attract volunteers and could be self-funded. 

Self-funded? Yes, a project that could be promoted to attract sponsors or would somehow pay for itself. But come up with possibilities we did. Nothing concrete or too detailed, but we had fodder for the next meeting.

This second meeting was held in the same location on December 1. Tom again facilitated. New attendees were briefed after introductions were made. We refined our thoughts, decided on what to pursue in general and considered obstacles. We then came up with a subcommittee to further investigate the possibilities, explore how to overcome the obstacles, and to do so on a timeline that would permit us to potentially obtain front money to start the project. 

This was very exciting – we were making progress! But even more exciting than making progress towards a specific project was the growing realization that this was about more than just this possible project. We were creating system to explore and sanctify projects on an ongoing basis.

As I write this, the third meeting will happen at the same location, Bethany Presbyterian Church at 6145 West Clinton Ave., Cleveland, next Saturday. At that time, we will set the date for meeting #4 and will broadcast that and the results of the third meeting. 

Care to join us? No charge, coffee provided, ideas welcomed. Get updates HERE

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