A longtime non-profit musical society needs more help - or it may not be able to continue operating.
The Clef Society of Burnaby is looking for new volunteers to come forward to help keep the society running - and it needs to find those volunteers before its annual general meeting on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The society - which was incorporated on Feb. 8, 1949 - was formed to advance music in Burnaby by fostering an appreciation of music, promoting musical instruction and encouraging outstanding musical talent, especially in young musicians.
It holds a regular monthly recital series at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and also hosts an annual scholarship musical festival and concerto competition that attracts some of the best young musical talent in the region.
Needless to say, those efforts have involved a lot of help from a lot of people.
"Over the 65 years since its formation, the society has depended on hundreds of willing volunteers in servicing their committees and in management of their various productions," the group notes in a press release, noting there have been highs and lows over that time in terms of support and successes.
The release notes that recently, non-profit groups have faced more financial constraints as public funding dries up, but the Clef Society has continued to succeed thanks to the efforts of its dedicated volunteers.
But it notes that the pool of volunteers has been shrinking.
"Current Clef Society board members have all served in their function for several years, with some serving the society for a quarter-century," it notes. "It is time for a change, for new personnel to come forward to continue pursuit of the goals of the Clef Society."
Current committee members are not seeking re-election at the AGM on Sunday - which means there won't be any way for the society to keep running if new people don't step up to the plate.
"If there are no new members prepared to step forward ... the current committee will have no option but to discontinue operation of the Clef as a Society," the release says.
The AGM is set for Sunday, Sept. 28 starting at 1 p.m. in Room 103 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, followed by the group's first recital of the season.
"Surely, it will be a shame if the Clef Society's support of youth in their musical endeavours were to collapse after 65 years of successful operation since inception," the release says.
So, what do you say, Burnaby? Can you step into the breach and help save this long-established group? Do you know someone who might have the time and skills to help them out?
Drop in to the meeting to jump on board - or, for more about the group, check out its website at www.clefsociety.org.
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Do you knit? Do you want to be a yarnbomber?
The Tommy Douglas branch of Burnaby Public Library is celebrating its fifth anniversary in November, and it's looking for people to create sections for a celebratory yarnbombing project.
A notice from the library says Ppeces must be 14 inches wide, "and however long you wish to make them."
The library is hoping to cover four of the poles outside the library, on Walker Street, for a total yardage of 44 feet.
For more information, contact Anne at 604-522-3971 or check out the library website at www.bpl.bc.ca.
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Are you interested in paper crafts?
The McGill branch of Burnaby Public library is holding a PaperCraft event on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.
The library will provide supplies, ideas and instruction for making everything from paper puppets, paper flowers and note cards to autumnal works of art - or you can invent your own creations.
No experience is needed, and everyone over the age of four is welcome - grown-ups too. Children under 10 must attend with an adult caregiver.
It's free, but space is limited, so register online at www.bpl.bc.ca/events, call 604 299-8955, or drop in to the library at 4595 Albert St. to register in person.
(Incidentally, the PaperCraft session is part of Culture Days, and there are a host of other Culture Days activities in the city too - check out www.culturedays.ca for all of them.)
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
