The Friends of Banff National Park organization is shutting down after 21 successful years helping locals and visitors appreciate Banff National Park.
After a six-month transition period, Friends of Banff, known for its Living with Wildlife program, Park Radio and Oikos school programs, among many others, will be dissolved April 30, 2012.
While on first glance it may seem to be a disappointing decision, Friends’ chair Connie MacDonald said Tuesday (Nov. 15) it is a positive decision that she hopes will make room for other groups and individuals to bring forward new ideas, energy and programs.
“I’m really excited about what is next,” MacDonald said. “I do think the timing is right. It is important that we remain relevant and that we know our audience and we know how to connect to people. The Friends were extremely successful for 21 years and this new evolution will continue in ways to connect with people so they are passionate advocates for the park and for the future.”
Over the next six months, the board will continue to work with other Banff organizations, including Parks Canada, and individuals in the community to find ways to keep Park Radio and school programs operating.
The board reached the conclusion it was time to bring the not-for-profit organization to an end through recent long-term planning sessions where board members considered all of the different components within Friends of Banff and what the organization could add to the park and the community in the future.
After considering all of that, MacDonald said, it became clear many organizations, businesses and individuals in Banff, including Parks Canada and the Banff Community Foundation, have built upon the standard set by the Friends of Banff and taken on many of the roles or programs once offered exclusively by the organization.
“This increase in community capacity is a good news story. When the board reviewed our mandate, community partners, local programs, organizational structure, and the competitive retail climate, the right decision became clear. Our work is done here. We are proud of our accomplishments and it is time to make room for the next big ideas, whatever they may be,” MacDonald stated in a release.
It is also more common for businesses to offer staff training about Banff National Park, recognizing the value of having well-informed employees who are able to share their knowledge with customers.
“It’s not the exception anymore,” MacDonald said. “That’s why we see it’s not disappointing.”
Businesses also now carry the products the Friends of Banff stocked at its retail outlet, The Bear & The Butterfly, which was closed at the end of September.
“No question, the retail environment has been challenging over the past few years. However, on the upside we like to think we had an influence that many of the stores in town now are carrying great Canadian products and carrying environmentally responsible products and it’s much more common to carry those kinds of products, which is really a good thing,” she said.
Pam Veinotte, Banff National Park superintendent, said Parks Canada has had a long-standing and fruitful relationship with the Friends of Banff and will continue to work closely with the not-for-profit during its transition period.
“Certainly we are sad that the organization is coming to an end. We certainly respect the board’s decision and we share their optimism for the future,” Veinotte said. “But I think (Friends of Banff) was really important in the early years, helping Parks Canada… to provide a level of programming and provide that level of community engagement we weren’t seeing 20 years ago.”
She added that it is not unusual for friends organizations to change and evolve and move beyond their initial mandate.
And far better, MacDonald said, to dissolve Friends of Banff while it is still relevant and active than to keep it going for its own sake.
“I do believe that with organizations there is a lifespan and to stay relevant and fresh and connected you have to put a lot of energy in just like any business, and I know in town people are spending a lot of time looking at their businesses and their audiences, what product they are offering. I think the businesses that are really paying attention to what is going on in the world and what is going on in the company are the ones that are successful,” MacDonald said.
Both MacDonald and Veinotte said much of the success of the Friends of Banff is credit to executive director Leslie de Bie, who has been with the organization for 20 years.
“Personally, I feel extremely proud of the work the organization has done and I can’t give enough credit to Leslie de Bie; she is so impressive as a leader and an organizer and she is the heart and soul of the Friends of Banff,” MacDonald said.
