We are shining the Volunteer Spotlight on the Catalyst. Catalyst is a group "driven to provide an opportunity for young professionals in the Redding area to promote and stimulate new and existing culture in the Redding area and they strive to help nurture a youthful energy in Redding and have fun while doing it." Their mission to promote and stimulate new and existing culture was accomplished on Saturday, April 14, when they brought the Banff Mountain Film Festival to Redding. Shasta Land Trust recognizes and thanks Catalyst for selecting us as one of the three non-profit groups that received a portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales.

The Cascade Theater was the place to be on April 14th for the viewing of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. The event was sold out and the excitement in the air was contagious. The Film Festival takes place every year at the Banff National Park in Canada. A collection of films, from the festival, are then selected to travel around the world for each city's viewing pleasure. The lineup of films focused on nature, adventure, art, creativity, and pure skill. Catalyst have been bringing the Film Festival to Redding for the past 4 years and each year they select three non-profits to receive the proceeds from tickets sales to the event. The Shasta Land Trust, the Shasta Justice Center, and the Redding Soccer Park were voted as this year's non-profit groups. Event goers voted for their favorite non-profit with their admission ticket and the proceeds were split between the non-profits based on the percentage of votes.

The decision can be difficult as to which non-profits receive the proceeds, a Catalyst group member indicated. Non-profit groups get nominated and the Catalyst then vote on the top three to receive the proceeds. In asking why the Shasta Land Trust was nominated a Catalyst group member stated, "Because you protect our north state's treasures and assets by protecting and preserving what we have up here." They further went on to state that, "we aim to bring culture to Redding but it is important to preserve the area as well."

The shared feeling of preserving and protecting the northern California open space led to the Shasta Land Trust receiving the most votes at the Festival. Catalyst helped us receive funds to support our mission with no effort from the staff, members, and volunteers of the Shasta Land Trust. The Catalyst provided the event coordination and support, acquired the sponsors, and rallied the volunteers required to host this event. A group of about 10 Catalyst members started meeting about three months out to organize the event and on the night of the event 15 volunteers sold raffle tickets, answered questions, and instructed folks on where to vote.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival was a great success with a sold out theater. The Catalyst are an asset to the Redding Community and the Shasta Land Trust thanks them for all of their important work.