How did you get involved with Reach and the board?
Before I retired, part of my job as Provost at the Rockville campus of Montgomery College included participating in local organizations such as the Rockville Chamber [of Commerce] and REDI. It was at one of these organizations that I met Agnes Saenz, the former executive director of what at the time was called Community Ministries of Rockville. I attended a number of events and learned about all that the organization did. I was asked if Montgomery College could provide art for the Clinic to help make it a more welcoming space. Our students and faculty provided and hung colorful work that made the previous Clinic space more inviting. I was also impressed with the wrap around services of the Language Outreach Program, where children received help with their homework while their parents were in class. This particularly resonated with me because all of my grandparents were immigrants and had to learn English in order to take care of their families.
A board member, Paul Love, suggested that he had a great retirement project for me – joining the board of Community Ministries. Since I knew the organization and the services it provided, this seemed like a good way to give back to our community. A few years after I joined the board, Paul became the board chair and asked me to be vice chair. He implemented an executive committee so that the board could respond to things more quickly instead of waiting months until there was a scheduled meeting. As a member of the executive committee I was increasingly involved during the challenging period of the Covid Pandemic and there was an assumption that I as vice chair would move up to chair.
What are your priorities during your leadership term?
With the changes that have taken place at Reach in the last few years it was clear that it was time to set priorities and plan for the future. After our new executive director had been on board for six months, we started to talk about how we could manage strategic planning that would include staff, board members and volunteers. As of the end of November we’ve completed the first phase – revisiting and updating the mission and vision and creating core values. These three things, taken together describe an organization that I am proud to be associated with. Now we are embarking on developing specific goals and strategies for our five service areas as well as for organizational areas. Again this includes staff, board members and volunteers. We plan to complete the strategic plan in the spring so that we can use it to help shape next year’s budget.
Is there a particular experience you have during your time with Reach that really stands out in your mind?
The Reach boards are working boards. Board members serve on committees and volunteer their time. One way I volunteer is to take pictures at some of our events so that we can tell the Reach story in pictures. A few years ago, I was photographing our holiday distribution [that provides meals for families and toys for their children]. When the other volunteers were occupied, I'd jump in and help. A woman came in pretty late in the afternoon and was looking for something related to science for the grandson that she was raising. I knew that most of the science gifts that had been there earlier had already been taken so I walked around with her to see if we could find something suitable. She was thrilled when we found something that would engage her grandson’s thinking and creativity. I was honored to help her find something that special gift.
What impact do you think Reach/MKHC has on the community? What are you the most proud of that is happening at Reach?
Our language program empowers individuals and families so that they can get better jobs or additional education. Children of parents who were in our language program have as adults, come back to volunteer for Reach because we made a difference to them and their families.
I’m very proud of our staff who have adapted to the many changes that have taken place in the past year but continue to bring their passion and enthusiasm to Reach every day. They share their stories about working with clients and dream about how we can do even more. One of the special things about being on a board is getting to know both board members and staff. We all come from such different backgrounds but hold a common belief that it is in our power to empower and help those who are underserved in our community.
If you are interested in getting more involved with Reach, I encourage you to volunteer to serve on one of our committees or in one of our service areas so that you get to know our organization. Then let us know that you want to be even more involved. Who knows, you may join our Board!
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