A Season of Growth and Renewal: Call for Board Officers and Members

By Linda Griesbach, Vice President

As we awaken to this glorious season of transitions, it’s a reminder that our world does not remain stagnant, but is rather a constant cycle of change, growth, and adaptation. It’s the renewing time of year when we transition from a seemingly slow cycle of slumber to a riotous cycle of awakening and rebirth, with the promise of renewal and growth.

As transitions and change occur in the natural world, so do they occur in organizations. Whidbey Audubon is no exception. It’s the time of year for our board of directors to renew itself to ensure the organization remains fresh and vital, that we have the energy to continue to fulfill our mission and serve our community. We are fortunate to have a membership deep in talent, expertise, and a willingness to serve; we are fortunate many of our board members have served with enthusiasm and dedication for years. But it is time for them to transition along to other interests and commitments (and perhaps to enjoy a bit of rest).

Pursuant to our bylaws, election for secretary and treasurer should occur at our May membership meeting. We have not currently identified any member willing to serve in either two-year office. In addition to these two officer positions, several cabinet chair positions need to be filled.These are chairs of support Services, Events, and Education. There are also two at-large vacancies. At-large board members do not have specific responsibilities, but they attend board meetings and offer their time and talents to the organization. As has been mentioned much in the past, the position of president is also vacant.

We are fortunate to have hired an enthusiastic and capable part-time executive director, Joaquín Swett-Fosmo, to help the board and membership with its mission. Joaquín has taken on many of the time-consuming tasks that inevitably fall on a board of directors. This allows officers and board members to focus their attention less on the mundane and more on the priorities.

If you have any interest in any of the open positions, please contact me or Past President Patty Cheek. As things currently stand, eight out of a possible fifteen board positions will be vacant if these positions are not filled. Most critically, three of four officer positions will be vacant which means the organization no longer meets Washington state requirements for an incorporated non-profit organization. Please reach out if you can help Whidbey Audubon during a time of growth and renewal.