From the Prez

In this Issue:

From the Prez

FHI Extending Outreach Work in Massachusetts

Growing into the Garden State

Revisiting History in Fairfield, Connecticut

Buckland Area Transportation Study – Land use Analysis

Greetings!

The world is in constant change around us. Change can be difficult, but it is also full of opportunity and promise.  My Dad used to tell me that one of his mother’s favorite expressions was “Change is heartsome”….meaning that change is like a life-giving breath of fresh air.  I feel pleased to come from people who embraced change, since it is, indeed, inevitable.

At the risk of stating the obvious, we are living in an uncertain world.  In many ways, we are in transition from the world we knew to a world that will be.  The economy is wavering and funding sources are not secure.  To my way of thinking, this is a point of great opportunity.  As American writer Eric Hoffer wrote, “In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”  Ouch!!  Just when you think you’ve adjusted to the last set of changes, along come some more.

At FHI, we like to think that we are open to change and always thinking of how to improve the service we provide to our clients and the environment we provide for our staff.  We may sometimes fall short, but we do try to be mindful of the need for evolution, and actively try to lay the groundwork for successful adaptation.  We are planners, after all, and like to envision the future.

Some of this groundwork is about to begin.  We will soon be kicking off a strategic planning process, which has us very excited about looking ahead and charting our course for the future.  Our strategic planning process is being orchestrated by Susan VanBenschoten. Susan was promoted earlier this year to the position of FHI’s Chief Operating Officer, where she is responsible for our day-to-day performance, and for helping lay the groundwork to guide us into the future.  

William Shakespeare said “We know what we are, but know not what we may be”. At FHI, we look forward to finding out “what we may be”.

Exciting stuff!

- Ruth