Community Calendar Is Now Online

Sometimes it seems as if newspapers write much more about problems than solutions. And one of the problems this newspaper has covered over the past several years is the range of difficulties volunteers face as they try to serve their communities and raise funds to meet their costs.

These problems include, but are not restricted to: recruiting new volunteers, using current volunteer time to greatest advantage for the organizations and raising sufficient funds to keep the organizations going.

In the area of fundraising, an obstacle that nonprofits have come up against is the scheduling and selecting of a type of event without conflicting with other organizations. For instance, two organizations might plan similar events within a week or two of one another, or they might inadvertently plan different kinds of events on the same day and at the same time. This leaves those who want to support area nonprofits at loose ends, trying to figure out how to attend multiple events, or even to dig into their pockets on the same day.

One idea that presents a solution to these problems is the creation of a community calendar, posted online for public use. Any organization could post future events as soon as they’re planned, so other nonprofit groups could check potentially competing dates and events before planning their own.

There are other calendars online that meet some needs, but not this particular one. While no system can work perfectly, this kind of community calendar is an idea worth trying.

So, let’s give it a shot. There is now a community calendar available for public use at this newspaper’s Web site, tcextra.com. Any group planning a fundraising event can now go to that calendar to post an event well in advance of its date. Or, as a Pine Plains town commission did last week, groups can announce cancellations and changes. Then, other organizations or the general public can check for events and dates of events of particular interest to them. Supporters can mark their personal calendars well in advance of events they plan to attend. Or to help out, if needed.

Use this community calendar to plan your fundraising events or municipal meetings and let your neighbors know your plans. Give this solution a chance, and let us know how it works. The goal is to make life easier for nonprofit organizations, for our communities and for volunteers.