I believe that when one door closes, another door opens – new opportunities and collaborations are an exciting part of our leadership journey. – Frances Hesselbein
I’m one of the lucky ones. I met Frances Hesselbein. What an amazing leader she was. Shockingly she lived to be 107! She began her career as a Girl Scout leader volunteer and eventually became CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. She finished her career as head of the Leader to Leader Institute. Her legacy and inspiration are legendary.
I’m beginning my reflections on my time at United Way of Jackson County given I’ll be retiring in March 2027. I thought I’d take the time over the next nine months to reflect on each year by using our annual reports and old blogs. And maybe your memories too. Chime in. Many of our volunteers have been with me on the entire journey.
In looking at my first annual report which was for a short year of May 1 through December 31, 1997, included a fiscal year date change, the introduction of Day of Caring, 26 agency partners and venture grants for innovative ideas. Not one of our agency partners is headed by the same person! Wow that’s an eye opener. Four of those agencies are no longer present in our community. Not for bad reasons, just for reasons of change.
We had four staff including me. Barb Brazier, Bonnie Brekke and Jan Sanderson Taylor. We had our regular RSVP office volunteer, Betty Sowder. We had 35 board members! And to think I think it’s still really large at 30! Several of those beloved board members and volunteers are no longer with us and yet have created lasting impact and legacy as volunteers at United Way of Jackson County.
The board president was George Andries, who at the time was head of the VA SORCC (Domiciliary in those days). May he rest in peace. Peggy Wisneski was our campaign chair and is still thriving in Talent! What a gift she was as my first campaign chair. And the winner of the campaign spirit award was none other than our current past board chair, Becky Snyder! Thanks for walking with me through these years Becky!
In the annual report, my use of quotes began early and this Teton Sioux saying still matters as much today, “I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.”
We do great things together. And we always will.
Onward…
