b'C H A P T E R T E Nthat FCW members provide as part of Chatham Water Watchers and other programs.Scan the list of the organizations projects and youll see that the current dues level$25 for an individual, $40 for a family -has to be a good buy. Fortunately, almost 40 percent of dues payers add an extra amount. That lifted the average response for individual and family members in 2003 to $65, according to the Treasurers calculation. These resources seldom stand idle. Even if no major action project looms, FCW readily funds the costs of generating information for both members and townsfolk on issues of common concern.Vital Mission: CommunicationThe Friends of Stage Harbor Waterways still had places to go on its first training cruise in late 1983 when the executive committee came together at Sue Wilmots Stage Harbor Road home. The November meeting was well along when the president, Joan Kimball, made a pointed remark about futures. In late spring, she said, well need a PR article to let people know they should have their cesspool/septic systems checked.Setting aside the obvious worry about overly polluted waters, the comment was noteworthy because it recognized the importance of PR, of communication with not only members of the Friends but also people of the community. The fact is that that determination had been engrained in enterprise thinking ever since its earliest days.This intention had been addressed that fall in a letter Mrs. Kimball wrote to the chairman of the Conservation Commission, John Doane. I wanted to share information with (ConsCom), she said in her opening paragraph, about our overall purpose. Two paragraphs later, she spelled out that dedication to providing specific information:Our purpose is to provide an informational resource for members and others concerning the condition, development and preservation of the waterways and adjoining lands. The Friends was not about to hide its cards. Rather, as Joan Kimball added, We hope to keep in close touch with the newly formed town waterways commission, town boards and the Harbormaster.Almost from the first, FSHW organized itself to include public relations in its affairs. By the board meeting of September 2, 1983, experienced printing executive Doug Rhodes had agreed to handle PR At the same time, a report175'