From
the Board President
Dear Friends,
These are exciting times for Rural Action, and I’m pleased
to have been a part of the organization and appreciative of the opportunity
to serve as Chair of the Board for the past two years. I am also
grateful to my employer, Ohio State University Extension, for supporting
my involvement with Rural Action as a regional partner. These have
been unprecedented times for Rural Action, in that we have said “goodbye
and best wishes” to Carol Kuhre—who is synonymous with
the organization and who has provided its leadership for many years—and “hello
and welcome” to Jane Forrest Redfern as the new executive director.
As someone said to me at the February 29 Reception Event for Carol
and Jane, “I bet this has taken a lot of work behind the scenes.” I’ll
say! Often the involvement and work that “doesn’t show” goes
unrecognized and even unappreciated, so I want to acknowledge the
1 1/2 year-long effort of the RA Board’s Executive Committee,
which has functioned as the Executive Director Search and Orientation
Committee: Ann Fugate, Judy Gregg, Linda Clark, Gifford Doxsee, Ted
King, Ellsworth Holden and myself. This required many, many hours
at numerous additional meetings to develop and conduct a leader search
and plan for transition, orientation and evaluation. This committee “gelled” well,
took the charge very seriously and learned a lot about non-profit
organizations—and specifically Rural Action—along the
way, resulting in a strengthened Board of Directors and, in turn,
a strengthened organization.
Rural Action is in good hands, with a creative, energetic executive
director, a talented and dedicated staff, a growing base of membership
and collaborative partners and a Board of Directors committed to
building on the organization’s successful track record for
enhancing the quality of life for the region’s people, communities
and environment.
Deanna L. Tribe
next >>>IO