In this thread I would like us to concentrate on the Mission Statement for the group we are trying to form. This would be the overall purpose of the group, the "why" the group exists rather than the "how" we are going to achieve this.
Based on what we discussed on Saturday and several of the recent posts that different people made leading up to this meeting, I have come up with the following statement that I would like to propose as a starting point for our discussion:
"(Name of group to be decided) exists to preserve Deep Creek Hot Springs for our children and grandchildren as they exist today, open and available to all, clean, healthy, clothing optional, family oriented, bringing people together in a sense of community and in harmony with natural environment."
I have not included some of the items we discussed such as to show presence, coordinate or work with USFS, distribute brochures, etc., as they are part of the "how" we will achieve our mission.
I have also excluded some items that I feel are goals that are implicit in the above mission statement. For example, lower the impact that visitors have upon the area would be included in the phrase "in harmony with the natural environment". Or 'keep personal agendas out of the group' is implicit in the entire statement as there are no personal objectives within this statement. These kind of issues would be addressed through a list of itemized goals or objectives that would be a tier down from the mission statement.
Please let me have your feedback regarding the proposed mission statement, and try to be as specific as possible regarding changes you feel should be made. As other participants post please comment not only on the proposed statement, but on their proposed modifications as well. Thanks to you all for your contributions in advance.