Fuel is in the news these days, again. Whether it's causing global warming, costs too much at the pump, or gives us foreign policy headaches, fuel is a big issue.

Non-profit organizations like the Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras have the same problem: finding the fuel on which to run. But our "fuel" is not petroleum-based. The fuel we need to continue our 30 year history of instrumental music service to young people is of a very different sort. Our fuel is comprised of the resources we need to put music on their stands, conductors and coaches in their rehearsal sessions and performance venues in which to showcase their grand efforts to the community. To do these things, we rely on you -- and on your time, talent and treasure.

Like many other non-profits, CYSO maintains a very small staff to do all its work. We depend in very large part on the work of dedicated volunteers to write our newsletters, keep track of the many administrative details of an organization of five youth symphony ensembles, operate the ticket counters at our events and do so many other large and small things. We continue to need your time to do all these things, as well as your special talent, whether it be for the proper financial accounting of our operations, the writing and distribution of documents describing our award-winning activities, promoting our work in other ways in the community, or in photography and many other skills.

To get to the next highest orbit, the CYSO is now completing a major revision of its operating structure. The organization's Bylaws have just been updated, which include the establishment of several new committees for our organization. We will soon begin populating these committees with people just like you. In fact, it may in fact be you. That is if you're willing to serve on our new Communications, Development, Finance, Event Production or Fund Raising committees. If you have a little time to help out in any of these areas, please give me a call. My cellular is (206) 409-3275, and I'd be pleased to talk with you about these or other areas.

Finally, of course, there's the ongoing need for funding. The cash variety. CYSO relies too heavily on member fees and other quite limited sources of financial help. It's very likely that you already are participating in these ways. We are going to be asserting ourselves in the area of fund raising in the coming months in a variety of creative ways. But we do need your help as we struggle out of a worrisome economy. Please consider digging a little deeper, if you can. We can use your help, even if it's just a little more than you're doing now, as we work our way upward.

Time, talent & treasure. The Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras are deeply appreciative of all ways in which you help us find the fuel we need to put great youth orchestras on the stage and open the wonderful world of instrumental music to our young people.

Many thanks,

David Endicott