Message from your Board President, Kay Crider

Dear Elioteers,

We held our second full year of camps post-pandemic and our enrollments continued to rise. I am grateful for all the ways our community has stepped up to find new ways and new locations for many of our time-honored camp activities and embracing the change that entails. Eliot has survived the challenges of the pandemic and is thriving!

My work as President continued facilitating board meetings, serving on the Executive/Personnel Committee and Governance Committee, and in an ex officio capacity on the Leadership Development and Nominating Committees. I also serve on the Fundraising Committee as we seek to bring Eliot’s budget back to healthy levels and develop avenues to replenish monies spent to cover expenses during the pandemic and ensure a stable financial future. I also responded to a variety of inquiries from Elioteers.

Your Personnel Committee interviewed candidates and hired a new Registrar—Calyn McLeod—in anticipation of  Bev’s retirement. Calyn brings to the role her intelligence, work ethic, many talents and her deep dedication and love for Eliot. The Executive Committee also met in response to requests from deans and other staff to give input on a variety of matters that arose between board meetings.

The Governance Committee worked to review and approve updated committee charters to reflect the current work of committees, and to update some job descriptions. Additional job description revision is underway based on recommendations from summer camp staff, as is a review of our bylaws.

Our summer camps honored Bev Hesterberg for her many years of fantastic and unwavering service to our community. She will continue as volunteer bookkeeper for Eliot. The Board and Executive Committee are especially thankful for her wisdom shared with Eliot leadership throughout the years.

This is my final newsletter as President, and I am honored to have served on the Board. You will be in great hands with Lynn Sabourin starting her two-year term as President in January. I know Eliot will continue to be a place for connection, growth and creation of beloved community—so very important in today’s world.

With love & gratitude, 

Kay Crider, Board President