Membership in the majority of groups in town has been dwindling for quite some time.
A very common concern within the groups is one of “how to get more people to help, to volunteer.”
Local events help foster community spirit-—serving within your community assists in making changes that can and do have lasting effects. Everything has meaning, even affecting just one person in a positive manner makes a difference. Being involved in your community makes you a part of this positive process.
If people don’t start stepping up and giving just a bit of their time, much of the spirit within the community will dwindle as well.
“If people in the community like horse racing and want to see an over forty year tradition continue, they have to come out and participate,” says Karrie Crucil, current president of the association.
Just last week, the Princeton Racing Days Association held what was supposed to be their Annual General Meeting. Only five members attended, resulting in the meeting having to be rescheduled to a later date.
Positions on the board were unable to be filled due to lack of attendance.
“We need bodies on the board in order to be able to carry on,” Crucil added.
Many of the older generation of volunteers with the Princeton Exhibition Association and user groups (Racing Days, Rodeo and Agricultural Fair) have passed away within the past two years, so ultimately the tradition of events that have been enjoyed for many years now, falls upon the younger generation.
“Lack of membership and participation—the exact same reasons that Princeton Racing Days may fail, is why the Interior Horse Racing Association has failed,” said Crucil.
To date, no one has come forward to take on vacant positions on either of the boards.
The current president and vice-president of Princeton Racing Days have to step down from their positions due to business and family committments.
“Help is available and training will be given with all the volunteer positions,” said Crucil.
Princeton Racing Days will hold their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room at the Princeton Library.
If you would like to help keep Racing Days alive and running in Princeton, please attend the upcoming meeting.