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As a member, I went to the recent Annual General Meeting of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (the Trust). Though all the necessary business was done, the meeting was at least an informal one compared to the First Annual General Meeting of the Bras d'Or Stewardship Society (the Society). Notwithstanding, the membership seemed more than satisfied with the work of the Board of Directors and the reported progress of the Trust. There were neither reports of, nor dissenting voices either from the floor or elsewhere.

This is not surprising, for the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, though only a few years older than the society, it is making observable progress towards the objective of the Trust. That is, to put private lands under conservation easements so that, in perpetuity, these lands cannot be developed, to use the euphemism currently vogue for what is usually their destruction. Note I use the word "objective" not objectives, which is crucial. I believe what makes the task of the board of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust so much easier than that of the Society is that, on the one hand the Trust has a narrowly focused aim and on the other, progress towards that aim is easy to demonstrate.

The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society is in a quite different position. The Society has taken on a complex, multifaceted task which means, whether we like it or not, fighting the good fight on many fronts at the same time. Further, it almost inevitably means progress will be in small cumulative increments not easily demonstrated, rather than in dramatic leaps, it will be slow and there will almost certainly be set-backs, since the Society faces formidable entrenched interests (political, personal business, bureaucratic, and otherwise) not to mind ignorance and inertia.

These systemic difficulties, endemic to the job we have set ourselves would seem, so far, to have had at least two tangible results. We have received a number of complaints from members that we, the Board, and therefore The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society, is "not doing anything". There are also a number of members who have not renewed their annual subscriptions and, though most have not given us any reason for so doing, no doubt some at least agree with this latter contention. I do not think there is any easy way around this dilemma. It goes with the territory. We are bound to disappoint those who hoped for a "quick fix". All we can do as a Board and as an Executive is to inform the membership that we are beavering away writing letters and articles, talking to relevant people, discussing plans, seeing members, drumming up funds, listening to complaints, etc., etc. In particular, is this the case with our Chair, Pat Bates and our Treasurer, Henry Fuller. The results will come in the long run, if we stick to the task. So do not lose patience. If we keep up the good work and pull together, we will make a difference to the Bras d'Or Lakes, not only for ourselves, but also for our children. The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society may be best described now as a healthy toddler.

If we are to continue to make progress, over the long haul, it will require all our support financial and otherwise, to bring the Society to a vigorous maturity.

Dr. Jim O'Brien is Secretary of the Bras d'Or Stewardship Society.