Hello Everyone:
Hope you are enjoying your summer with your family so far. I wanted to start off the year by introducing myself as your new Chief of the Cuyahoga Valley Local Longhouse in addition to communicating my goals for the organization for the next 12 months.
Back in 2004, I became a new member of CVNSND as a result of learning about the positive experiences which my next door neighbor was enjoying. A few years earlier, he joined CVNSND with his two sons who were a little older than my oldest son, James, who was just starting Kindergarten. Not having been involved in “Indian Guides” as a child growing up, I was not quite sure what was in store for James and I as we began attending both tribe meetings and Longhouse events that Fall. I will never forget how much fun our first Fall Campout was. From that point forward, I understood how valuable being a member of CVNSND would be for me as a father. Two years later, my son Michael and I were members of a new Kindergarten boys tribe. Both boys graduated after completing 4th grade. During the years of 2011 and 2012, we were involved in Pathfinders. In 2013, my youngest son Paul and I joined CVNSND as he entered Kindergarten that Fall.
Due to the significantly positive impact which CVNSND has had on my family, I have been very active as an Officer over the years. I continue to be as excited about planning the upcoming Longhouse events for the next year as I was when James and I experienced during our first year as members of the organization many years ago.
Dads, if you feel the same way I do about CVNSND, then I would invite you to attend a future Officer’s meeting to learn more about how the organization runs and also to gain an understanding of the currently open officer positions. Even if the timing is not right for you this year, our group needs leaders to continue to keep the organization strong and vibrant in order to perpetuate our members’ ability to “Create Memories Together” next year and the year after, etc. The Officers meeting starts at 9 PM and is held on the first Wednesday of every month at the London Pickle Works located on Fitzwater in Brecksville. Please strongly consider attending a meeting in the future.
Regarding the upcoming year, we may resurrect a few events this year which used to take place in the past but have been phased out. Hopefully you and your family will find these events to be as fun as my family has in the past. Stay tuned for more details as time moves forward.
My two main goals for the upcoming year are as follows:
- Significantly increasing both the frequency and amount of communication to all members to ensure that everyone is aware of upcoming Longhouse events. Hopefully this will enable as many people as possible to participate in the events. It is understood that families are very busy today and plenty of notice is required in order to maximize the opportunities to “Create Memories Together.”
- Continuing to build enthusiasm for the organization among our member families and then encourage everyone (Dads, Kids, Moms, Grandparents, etc.) to make a strong effort to share the really great benefits of being a member of CVNSND throughout the communities of Brecksville, Broadview Heights and Independence. I am going to ask all of you to invite multiple families in your neighborhoods, schools, sports teams, etc., to check us out and become members of this fantastic organization. Peer to peer communication is extremely powerful and I will repeatedly be asking the kids to tell their friends at school how much fun they had at an event. Same for Dads – anyone you know in the community who has K – 4th grade aged children, please invite them to join CVNSND. They will thank you in the future for introducing the concept of “Creating Memories Together” with their kids.
Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing you at the Brecksville Home Days in a few weeks. Dads, please remember to sign up to work the booth in order to increase the awareness of our organization.
Thank you for investing the time to read this long correspondence. I feel that it is important for everyone to be aware of my perspective as well as my goals for the Longhouse for the upcoming year. Get ready to have a lot of fun!
Regards,
Tom “Eagle Eye” Kundmueller
Longhouse Chief
