Rosebud Fellowship work bee

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Rosebud Fellowship invites friends of Rosebud to a work bee, June 13. Volunteers will assemble picnic tables and construct a large gazebo overlooking the river. They’ll enjoy a free breakfast and lunch together, and, at a two-for-one rate, will be invited to attend Rosebud Theatre’s Wizard of Oz that evening.
LaVerne Erickson, founder of Rosebud School of the Arts (RSA), said work bees have been an important part of RSA life since its developing years.
“That’s how those good friendships developed, by people volunteering,” he said. “It’s really a part of rural living, working together and leaving things for the next generation.”
For this occasion, Wheatland County has already demonstrated that cooperation and forward-thinking by permitting the gazebo to be built on county land, and the Rosebud Community Enhancement Society has provided building materials.
Furthering that sense of community, work bee volunteers will have the opportunity to become members of the newly-revitalized Rosebud Fellowship.
The Fellowship has existed since before the current RSA was established, but it became a “quiet partner,” Erickson said, when the school structure changed to that of a governance board. They feel it’s time to reawaken the Fellowship because it still serves an important role.
“The constitution of the Rosebud Fellowship provides a home for the alumni and also a home for the staff,” Erickson said.
It gives them an official channel to communicate, share career and educational opportunities, and promote each other’s work.
For the rest of us – those who are neither staff nor alumni, but enjoy the work of Rosebud Theatre and value the goals of Rosebud School of the Arts – membership in Rosebud Fellowship offers other rewards. It will give us an opportunity to provide input into future Rosebud Theatre projects, receive benefits such as discounted theatre tickets, and work together at community-enhancing work bees like the one on June 13.
Perhaps most importantly, it will allow us to build friendships with others who share an interest in Rosebud.
The work bee starts with pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., and after the day’s work, the renewed Rosebud Fellowship will hold its annual general meeting at 4 p.m. Volunteers do not need to become members, and potential members are not required to volunteer at the bee.
“Anybody’s welcome to come” to the work bee, Erickson said, including individuals and families, both skilled and unskilled. He encourages volunteers to bring cordless power tools.
He emphasized, however, that we need to call ahead so they can prepare breakfast and lunch, and to book our tickets for Wizard of Oz that evening.
To let Rosebud Fellowship know you plan to attend the work bee, or to become a member of the Fellowship, contact Julie at 403-677-2350 or fellowship@rosebudschoolofthearts.com.