by George Farenthold

As President of CEC, I get to wear a lot of hats. Some of them fit a little more comfortably than others sometimes, but one of my favorite has always been my allegiance to the Environmental Fund for Texas.

So it is with a bit of sadness (but not much, as I'll get to in a minute), that I announce that EFT no longer exists (at least, not in name).

The reason I'm only a little sad -- and, believe me, very, very happy -- is that EFT has now become Earth Share of Texas.

What does this mean? On one level, not too much. All EFT members automatically become Earth Share of Texas members, and the board and organization will operate much the same way as it always has.

But on a utilitarian level, we expect to reap some amazing benefits. EFT was founded in 1991 as a means for Texas environmental organizations to pool resources and become part of workplace giving drives. During the giving season, employees can designate funds to the organization of their choice (CEC is an excellent choice) or to the body environmental as a whole to be divvied up among the affiliated groups. These funds are deducted straight from the emoployee's paycheck, with all tax benefits intact.

Sound like a green Texas version of the United Way? Well, it operates much the same way. Best of all, studies have shown that when workplace giving drives are opened up and offer more choices, overall giving increases, which benefits everyone. I say everyone because whether its the United Way, the Black United Fund, Earth Share of Texas or some other collection of charities, this isn't about money for organizations so much as it is about the services those organizations provide back to the community with the funds they receive.

Earth Share, based in Washington, DC, is among the most respected names nationally in workplace giving. Some of its better-known member agencies include the National Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund and Rainforest Alliance.

Here in Houston, Earth Share of Texas includes the Audubon Foundation of Texas, the Bayou Preservation Association, the Endangered Species Media Project, Lake Houston F.I.S.T, Trees for Houston, The Park People, Spark School Park Program, and, of course, your friendly neighborhood Citizens' Environmental Coalition.

It always behooves us in the environmental community to work together for positive results. Among many other things, EFT served as an excellent vehicle for information sharing and networking. Now, what we've been doing on the state level will take a quantum leap onto the national stage.

I know hats are out of style these days, but this is one I'm going to be proud and happy to wear.

In Memoriam

Trees were planted recently at Project Row Houses to honor Jimmy Brannen, loving husband of longtime board member and lifetime supporter of CEC, Linda Brannen. I'd like to thank the folks at Texaco, Jonathan Hancock particularly, for the donation of the trees, and all the people who helped get them in the ground. We hope this is a fitting tribute to a family that has been a close friend to many of us individually, the CEC especially, and to the environmental community as a whole.