Celebrating and building community in southeastern Kentucky

Over the last month, chapters across the state gathered for their annual chapter meetings.  From Bowling Green to Harlan to northern Kentucky, members celebrated the last year of hard work in their communities and beyond, elected new chapter leadership, discussed KFTC's platform, and planned for the coming months.

While the chapters in southeastern Kentucky were similiar to those across the state, they did all arrive at the common thread of building community across county and chapter lines. Whether it was over meatloaf, fried chicken, or trail mix, the Harlan, Perry and Letcher County chapters all decided at their own meetings that they wanted to work more closely with each other and their neighboring chapters to build their energy, momentum and power in southeastern Kentucky.

Members celebrated highlights like the east Kentucky bus to I Love Mountains Day and events like the ‘Hands Across Pine Mountain’ joint potluck organized by the Harlan and Letcher chapters, as well as the new Community Organizing and Water Testing Trainings that have brought members from multiple counties together. Perry Chapter Chair Truman Hurt said, “I joined KFTC because I thought we could stop mountaintop removal. I’m still around because I learned theres a lot more we need to do and can do, together.”

Turnout at all three annual meetings was exciting, with new and familiar faces across the board! The Letcher Chapter meeting had standing room only, with nearly 20 people crowded into the small Whitesburg KFTC office. Harlan Chapter members tried out a new meeting location in the city of Harlan and shared a home-cooked meal with members from all across Harlan and neighboring counties.  

The chapters brainstormed new ideas for not only collaboration, but events, fundraising and outreach. Using everything from slide shows to dry erase boards, members recalled the fruits of their labor and the energy they drew from actions for justice over the last year. Members across southeastern Kentucky are looking forward to fellowship with each other and their friends across the state at the upcoming statewide Annual Membership Meeting and beyond. There's just no telling what is likely to brew from the energy, strength and growing power of our mountain chapters in the coming months and year!