Message to Our Members
From the Mountain View Historical Association Board of Directors
Happy New Year to all our members! The year 2016 brings both new opportunities and new challenges for our organization as
we approach our 62nd year. We want to take a moment to share some thouughts on the year ahead.
The Mountain View area is in a period of transition right now. Many long-time residents—the ones who tend to be most likely
to participate in a local historical association—have moved away to places where their dollar goes further. This has made
retaining and growing membership a constant challenge.
At the same time, the presence of our historical association here is perhaps more important now than ever. Mountain View
has become a world-famous city due its role in shaping Silicon Valley. Our organization is uniquely positioned to chronicle the
changes taking place as well as provide an important connection to the past, for both old-timers and newcomers alike. As we
enter 2016, we could use your help to ensure our organization stays strong as Mountain View continues to evolve. Please read
on to learn how.
Membership
Since the start of 2015, we’ve welcomed 26 new members to our organization, bringing us to 312 dues-paying members. We
also have 970 people following us on online at www.facebook.com/MVHistory. We are working on ways of making it easier for
people to join and renew membership online, so that more of those Facebook folks might join us in real life! In the meanwhile,
here are some ideas for how you can help us continue to grow as an organization:
1. Renew! For those who pay annual membership dues, we hope you’ll join us for 2016!
2. Give the Gift of Membership. Do you know someone who just moved to Mountain View? Or maybe someone who
moved away but misses their hometown? Or maybe just a friend or relative fascinated by our city’s history that’s not a
member? For any of those folks, a membership to the MVHA makes a great gift!
3. Become a Lifetime Member. If you plan on being a member for the long-haul, then consider becoming a lifetime
member. You’ll never have to worry about renewing again, and you lifetime membership fee will help us take on new
projects and events.
Please use the form on page 7 to renew, gift, or upgrade your membership. Thank you for your membership!
Board of Directors Vacancies
After years of dedicated service, many of our Board members are ready to retire this year. This will leave an unprecedented
number of open Board positions without incumbents seeking reelection or reappointment. Without new board members, our
organization’s long-term stability is at risk. We hope some of you reading this will seek to jo in the board and help the MVHA
continue to grow and thrive. A variety of positions will be available and we can work with you to find one that matches your
talents, interests, and availability.
The time commitment is small: four Board meetings a year, four events a year. A Nomination Committee will be appointed at
our Summer BBQ on August 7, and elections will take place at our Fall meeting on November 6. If you’re interested, please do
not hesitate to let us know! nterested individuals are also encouraged to attend our upcoming Board meetings.
Volunteer Opportunities
The MVHA welcomes members interested in lending their time and talent. Below are some immediate needs:
Event Tabling: Greet the public at the MVHA’s table at upcoming events. See Page 8 for upcoming events.
History Center: The Mountain View History Center on the second floor of the Mountain View Public Library is still
looking for volunteers to join our team. Help us share Mountain View’s historic archives with the public. With your help,
we can offer longer hours and greater access to this invaluable resource.
We will gladly answer any questions you may have about membership, joining the Board, or volunteering. E-mail questions to
[email protected] or call (650) 903 6890. Thank you for your consideration!
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