FIRM’s board has been working very hard to secure leadership for the next generation of our organization’s life and mission. It has been a long road, filled with prayer, reflection, and sifting. Within the next couple of months, we hope to make an announcement that will usher in the next phase of our life as a Community Benefit Organization.
We are excited about that.
In the meantime, I wanted to take the time to honor three women who have helped keep our dreams and vision alive.
Sophia Dewitt has been a part of the life of FIRM for 11 years. She is a seminary graduate and ordained minister who came to FIRM out of a passion to advocate and make a difference. She started with us as a volunteer and eventually became indispensable because of her leadership and insight. It was a logical choice to ask her to co-lead our organization during the time of transition. He labor, sacrifice, and commitment as Interim Co-Director has not only kept us alive, but kept us growing in influence and impact.
These things are true of our other Interim Co-Director, Paual Cha. Paula had stepped out of her role as a staff member in order to pursue other professional and educational goals in the Fall of 2012. She joined our Board of Directors and served for a very short time. That is because we almost immediately enlisted her and called her back into service as a member of our transition team. She had the leadership gifts, experience, and commitment we needed. She willingly offered us those gifts and also made sacrifices for our mission. She has helped FIRM to thrive during these days.
Linda Bowman was also a board member. Several years ago, we asked her to step off of the board and offer the services of her company to assist with the finances of FIRM. She has become our contract financial manager and a valuable member of the transition team. Her wisdom and combined knowledge of FIRM and best financial practices have allowed us to be stable, grow toward sustainability, and meet all of our obligations. Linda loves FIRM and she brings that love to work with her.
All three of these women love FIRM, love our staff, and love the people we serve. We love them and appreciate them. It has been an honor to convene them regularly during this period of time, to work closely with them, and to help facilitate their efforts. I cannot begin to express my admiration or the board’s appreciation adequately.
We will present a strong organization to our next leader. We are praying for that person and inviting that leader to join us on a mission with a staff that has made many sacrifices for FIRM. All we can say to these three is “Thank you.”