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| Final report from the outgoing president of the VA’AD - Marc Wunder It has been an honor to serve on the VA’AD for the last four years. The help and insights from co-presidents Marg Elliston and Betsy Van Leit made this work a joyful learning experience. I appreciate the commitment all VA’AD members have made. The VA’AD has made some critical decisions that will support the process of building and sustaining a community-driven organization that works in concert with our rabbi. Over the last few years, we (the VA’AD) have had many conversations on what kind of structure will best support our growing community. Skilled community members have given us support and guidance to encourage this transformation. The VA’AD recognized our need for an executive director with grant writing experience and established office managerial skills. Miria Kano submitted a resume that reflected her expertise in these areas. Miria was interviewed and hired by the VA’AD to serve in the position of interim executive director. Our community has accomplished many great achievements over the last few years. The following is a partial list of what I appreciate most: * our fundraising, purchasing and rebuilding efforts; * Opening the rabbi’s and administrator’s offices (office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.); * Heder - the outstanding teaching staff and joyful children; * Our house occupants and their involvement in working on the land and buildings; * Interim executive director Miria Kano; * All the time, energy and hard work Carol Boss put into supporting our members and the logistics of our events; * Our collective peace initiatives; * The ongoing development of our library; * Contact from people around the world in recognition of our community and Rabbi Lynn; * The re-emerging and ever-evolving artist collective * Desert Sage (our past and present editors - Ruth Imber, Naomi Lippel and Nicole Deutsch and all who have submitted articles); * Treasurers’ Reports - what an outstanding effort Phil Jameson made for several years. And now, Judy Brown has moved our financial statements to the next professional level. What are our next steps? In October the VA’AD will meet twice with Carolyn Ford, who is an expert in assisting non-profit boards. Carolyn will provide opportunity for us to revisit roles and responsibilities of the VA’AD, the rabbi and the executive director. The VA’AD identified a search committee of three to find a permanent executive director by January 2003. Where do we need your support? 1. If you ever have that OY VAY feeling (when you recognize something needs to be done or said which affects our congregation), contact a VA’AD member who will help you process your concerns or attend a regular monthly VA’AD meeting to share your insights. VA’AD meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. We have an open forum from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 2. Nahalat Shalom needs you, your time, ideas and energy to do the work that helps sustain our community. Contact a current VA’AD member and let them know you are interested in participating on the VA’AD, the library committee or building committee, or if you are interested in starting something new. To the process of building a strong Nahalat Shalom! | ||||||||
