How Meaford Makes Stuff Happen

By Stephen Vance, Staff

Have you ever wondered how Meaford’s many events come together? Ever wondered what it takes to round up volunteers?

Earlier this month the 12^th annual Event Planners Meeting, facilitated by the Scarecrow Invasion organizers, was held at Meaford’s Fire Hall. The meeting included more than 40 participants from a wide range of community interests.

“It was a terrific presentation by the mayor on voluntarism and its benefit to the well-being of the community, and tons of energy from the participants as they shared their planned, half planned, sorta planned activities and events,” explained Marilyn Morris, head of the Scarecrow Invasion.

The annual meetings provide opportunities for community groups to work together on events, or to cross-promote their activities.

The specific focus of this year’s meeting was on three items:

1. to bring groups and organizations together to discuss possible ways of community groups benefiting from involvement in “The Big Fall Weekend”, October 2 – 4, 2015

2. to bring groups and organizations together to plan events and activities that create a festival spiritfor the entire month of September, into October – both in Meaford and throughout the region

3. to gather as much information from groups about activities already identified for the fall season

At the core of nearly all events in Meaford are volunteers. The Scarecrow Invasion alone typically involves more than 250 volunteers, and when asked if she could estimate the total number of volunteer hours donated by Meaford residents, Morris said that it would be too numerous to guess.

“With all of the work done everywhere in the municipality, I would say at least a million volunteers hours,” joked Morris, or was she joking? She might not be far off. “Personally, I believe that Meaford is a hot-bed for voluntarism. If it weren’t for their passion and tireless effort, few events would take place.”