Friends of Explorit

This year Explorit Science Center is entering its 20th year. Back in 1982, the "Davis" Science Center was headquartered in one room on C Street. Vacation classes and open house weekends were conceived and presented entirely by volunteer personnel. Since then, the Science Center has become a full-fledged non-profit organization with a professional staff, an active Board of Trustees and a program reaching over 40,000 children and family members each year in 10 counties.

The Friends of Explorit, now in its 4th year, has revived the functioning volunteer aspect of the Center, with its members engaging in various projects and activities which assist the staff in current operational and programmatic functions. Some of the current Friends are those who had been active in Explorit activities during the early developing years of the Center.

Although Friends of Explorit has had few general meetings, specific projects or ongoing operations of the Center have been the focus of various Teams:

The Mailing Team meets 4 or 5 times a year as needed to collate, stuff and address large bulk mailings, such as the newsletter, school programs, membership drive mailing and other promotional material. After some of the morning mailings, the group gathers for lunch and sociability.

The Hospitality Team assists in "catering" events such as the bimonthly Board and Staff breakfasts, the evening Board sponsored "Soirees", and the annual events honoring Staff or Volunteers or Advisors. This month members of the Hospitality Team will assist with the Staff Recognition party

The Scholarship Team has been active in evaluating applications for financial assistance from underfunded schools to obtain daytime classes and the evening science fair "Science in Your World" and also from parents for scholarships for vacation classes. Recognizing the growing need for such assistance, this team plans to become more active in obtaining support for these efforts.

Two new teams are in the process of being organized: the Library Team will be active in sorting and selecting books from the large number that have been collected over the years for subsequent cataloging for optimum availability and use of staff. The staff has been consulted on their wishes and suggestions concerning what would be of greatest help to them. The proposed Sand Team will continue (and hopefully complete!) the cataloging of the hundreds of samples of sand from around the world. This unique collection is currently stored in specially built cabinetry at the Center. This team will also be able to do most of the work at home, if this is more convenient for the team member.

In 1999, a Scholarship/Financial Assistance Endowment Fund was established at Explorit to enable underfunded schools, classes or teachers to apply for education "grants" to obtain Explorit classes or programs when funding was not available through their own resources. As the success of these grants has become more widely known throughout area schools, applications are increasing in number and in the level of requested funding.

This current school year, all applications demonstrating need have been able to be funded, due in part to contributions from a few individual members of Friends ( in the amounts of $250, $500 and $1000). Scholarships for summer vacation classes have also been granted to all applicants for the first week requested, and partially funded if a second week is requested.

Recently, 2 more late applications have been received for summer vacation classes, and the Friends of Explorit has contributed $200 to cover these requests.

The feedback from schools receiving these programs has been more than enthusiastic. Apparently such programs as the "Science in Your World" Family Science Fair brings whole families to the school in the evenings in such numbers that the schools had not seen before. And one thank you note said "It was the talk of the classroom and the playground for weeks after."

One is led to the conclusion that ---- although Explorit's programs are very successful and are heavily subscribed to -----these may be the kids and families that need and appreciate them the most.

So, for the coming year, Friends are being strongly urged to consider a donation to the Scholarship/Financial Assistance Fund when joining or renewing their annual membership.

Friends now is represented on two committees of the Board, along with other community members. We have had for some time membership on the Human Resources Committee, since Friends represents the Volunteer "arm" of Explorit. This also serves as the conduit to our Hospitality Team's participation in the planning, as well as the implementing, of our catering function.

More recently, Friends is now represented on the Development Committee, particularly in the Membership and Annual Giving section. These inclusions in the inner structure of Explorit enables Friends to better understand and respond to needs of the Center.

Watch your mail!! Plans are underway to invite Friends as guests at an upcoming evening Soiree (date to be determined). These small gatherings are usually held in a Board member's home and are oriented toward acquainting current and prospective supporters with an overview of Explorit's current activities and a look at the new proposed outreach program "Health in Your World" patterned after our flagship "Science in Your World" family night program.

When the invitation comes, do plan to attend. The Power Point graphic presentation of Explorit's activities will make you proud to be associated with Explorit!

Friends are also scheduled to be honored guests, along with other (including student) volunteers at an event probably on May 30th. Plans for this party are underway by Board and Staff; in typical Explorit style, it promises to be fun for all.

We now have Pins!! - small silver clip-on pins identifying us as "Friends of Explorit" superimposed on the Explorit spiral logo. These pins will go to every new or renewing member.

Plan to visit this colorful site. It gives information about Friends' mission, history and activities as well as a copy of the latest UPDATES newsletter. (Anne Hance is also responsible for the extensive, constantly updated Website for Explorit Science Center, which is now receiving 7,500 hits a day.)

Spring 2002