To bring together charitable and service organizations in the area, the Falcon Area Business Alliance sponsored the first Falcon Area Service Organization Symposium in February at Falcon High School.FABA member Brian Swanson said the symposium was held to “create an alliance among the charitable or service organizations in Falcon for the betterment of Falcon … the more people we can bring together to make things happen, the stronger our community will be.”The morning session was open to principals of the organizations, and all members were invited to the afternoon session.Falcon is home to more than 70 charitable and service organizations; 10 were represented at the symposium during the morning session. The afternoon session ended early because of low attendance. Swanson said, while every organization received a direct invitation from FABA, not all responded.Attendees included Falcon Senior Services, Boy Scouts of America Troop 149, Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce, Pikes Peak Library District High Plains Library, Citizens for a Better Falcon, Rock Ledge Ranch, Soaring Eagles Ranch, Colorado Springs Road and Custom Car Club, Corral Bluffs Alliance and High Plains Utility Assistance.Representatives from each organization presented information about the group’s achievements, goals and upcoming events.Becky Campbell with the High Prairie Library presented information that she said many people in the community might not know about. “We have so much to offer in terms of information that we’re trying to get out to people,” she said. “There is a wealth of information that people have just by using their library card or from home. We have databases that provide research information from what the best vacuum cleaner to buy is to what’s going on around the world. Every opportunity that we have to share that with people is always great.”The symposium also provided a platform for the organizations to appeal to each other for help and cooperation. Mike Hurd, chairman of the committee for Citizens for a Better Falcon, presented information about his organization, enlisting the support of attendees. “We want to provide an informed opportunity for property owners to decide on an identity that will represent and protect our lifestyles if Falcon becomes a city,” he said. He said help from people who attend the symposium would be appreciated since they are already “committed to the community.”The Falcon Senior Services organization told of their desire to build a 6,000-square-foot building for seniors near the fire station in Falcon. The project will require outside assistance like labor and donations from other organizations.Jackie Hilaire from Corral Bluffs Alliance was pleased with the symposium. “I realize this is the first year for it, but I thought it was very valuable,” Hilaire said. “All in all, it was a very friendly group with good exchanges.” She said the information and contacts she received were worth the meeting. “If we are able to get half again as many there next year, we’ll be back,” she said. “It was an extraordinary effort to pull this together in just a few short months.”Other sponsors were Falcon School District 49, American National Insurance, Avalar Real Estate Solutions and The State Bank. Smokin BBQ Catering provided lunch.
