US REBILDNEWS SUMMER 2017 US REBILDNEWS SUMMER 2017 | Page 3

Dear Rebild Friends!
I have just returned from the Annual Rebild Membership Meeting 2017 on St.
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the time has come to reflect on the past year
2016 and gather thoughts and ideas for the future of Rebild National Park
Society, both short term and long term.
But first, let me summarize the Annual Membership Meeting 2017. With over
150 participants, the meeting on St. Croix must be considered a success.
Despite a rather tight program, I am sure that everybody had the opportunity
to enjoy the fantastic weather, experience St. Croix, participate in the 100th
anniversary festivities and not least establish new friendships or reacquaint
themselves with longtime Rebild friends.
Personally, I had the opportunity to speak with many Rebild members and
also with participants who have not yet become members. During these
conversations, the possibilities arose to establish a new chapter in Florida
and a new chapter in Houston, Texas. Probably very many people have good
stories to tell from the annual membership meeting, so let us see them in
future issues of RebildNews.
Success does not arise by itself. Success has many parents, but because of the
formidable efforts of Mette Haydt, Aase Christiansen Luke, Connie Hanson, Ed
Bladt, Linda Steffensen and many additional individuals & chapters on their
team, the arrangement was a great success. A BIG THANK YOU to them for
their efforts.
Financially 2016 ended with a surplus of DKR 15,406. This result is less than
expected and influenced by extraordinary costs, but also influenced by a
decline of memberships both in Denmark and the USA. So here is a big
request to all members, especially board members to market the idea and
the background of the Rebild Society. Without members the future of the
society will of course be somewhat uncertain. For those who participated in
the Annual Membership Meeting on St. Croix, it must be rather simple to
market the idea of the Rebild Society.
The Rebild Celebration on July 4 and the festivities during the surrounding
days have been planned down to the last details, so the only thing to hope for
will be the usually good weather and that many people will find their way to
the Rebild Hills. We are actively spreading the message about the
celebration on July 4, but dear members and readers, please also invite
people to this year’s celebration. The person-to-person, word-of-mouth
advertising method is probably the most effective marketing tool.
I am looking forward to July 4. See you in Rebild on July 4 and have a
nice summer.
Jesper Jespersen
President