Nominating Committee Report and Slate of Board Candidates

The 2024 Nominating Committee is pleased to present its slate of candidates for the Eliot Board of Directors. Biographical sketches of the nominees can be found below. Appreciation goes to the current nominating committee members for their work: Drew Betz and  Josh Stull (co-chairs), Gavin Grandish, Lynn Sabourin, and Suzanne Reynolds.

President-Elect: Jody Feldman

VP for Marketing and Communication: Jean DeVenney

At-Large Members: Rory McLeod, McKenna Neimer

Nominating Committee: Nancy Stevens

Gratefully Yours,

Drew Betz, Committee Chair

Jody Feldman for President Elect

Jody and her hubby Bill came to August Eliot in 2019 — at the insistence of Nancy Panitch! The program that summer by Meg Riley and Aisha Hauser on "Shaping a Multicultural Faith" was life-changing. Since then Jody has been a regular at both August and Winter camps, has led small groups and has also been the small group coordinator. She currently chairs the Social Justice and Inclusion committee. She also adores doing tie dye! She has held leadership positions at UU congregations in Atlanta GA and All Souls in Washington D.C.

Outside of Eliot Jody has coordinated Antiracism Learning Circles since 2021, drawing about 350 participants from 12 states & provinces so far, and is committed to sharing our real racial history with as many people as she can. Jody is retired from a career in corporate consulting and change management. She moved to Portland in 2017 to be closer to 6 of 7 grandchildren.

She is honored and humbled to be considered for a position on the Eliot Board.

Jean DeVenney for Vice-President of Marketing and Communications

Jean is excited to serve on the Eliot Board in support of all the joy that Eliot Institute camps bring to so many people. Jean was living in Soldotna, Alaska, when she and her 14-year old daughter Kate first came to Eliot thirty-one years ago. After that experience, Eliot became a priority. Whenever possible they returned, eventually bringing Kate’s family of four, making it now a three-generation summer tradition.

Jean is retired after first working in the field of disability services, then in higher education as a Student Counselor and Human Services faculty member. She now lives in Springfield, Oregon after twenty plus years in Portland, a seven year stint in Alaska, and over two years traveling solo in a 21 ft. Chinook motorhome in the U.S. and Canada. She attends the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene, where she volunteers as a Worship Associate and facilitates series on end-of-life issues, book groups, Small Group Connection Circles and SoulCollage workshops. She loves camping, messy art, kayaking, travel, and raucous games of Rummikub.

Rory McLeod for At-Large Board Member

Rory and his family – Lauralee, Calyn, and Neil – first came to Eliot in 2013. As a young adult Rory attended SUUSI camps while living in Virgina and was not terribly surprised when everyone wanted to keep attending Eliot. They have missed only a few July Eliots ever since, and three of us are now CAE regulars as well. Rory was a co-Dean for the 2013 Creative Arts camp (along with Calyn!), and has taken on many minor roles at camp. He can often be seen, ukulele in hand, at a July Eliot Coffeehouse.

Rory served on the Board of Trustees for the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship and was the board’s President during the first months of the COVID pandemic. He was the Treasurer for the North Sound Youth Symphony, and has created websites for these organizations as well as the Whatcom Rowing Association.

Currently, Rory works from his home in Bellingham as a Software Engineer for SiriusXM. He’s grateful to have experienced many wonderful camps and is happy to be able to help serve on the Eliot Board.

McKenna Neimer for At-Large Board Member

McKenna came to July Eliot for the first time in 2001 and has enjoyed it along with Winter, August, and Creative Arts Eliots. McKenna started her Eliot staff journey as a lifeguard, and is currently doing less sunburn-prone jobs like Volunteer Coordinator and Dean.

McKenna does quite a bit outside of her Eliot life. Currently, she is coaching the Duwamish Youth Rowing program, working as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, and teaching swim lessons to kids. She loves to work with communities and individuals who are working on their growth, whatever that may be.

Because having multiple jobs isn't quite enough chaos, McKenna also has three Siberian Huskies, four Roombas, and one Dyson.

Keeping the Eliot community open, accessible, and truly welcoming is something that requires growth-- something that takes time and dedication. McKenna is honored to be considered for the position, and hopes she can help Eliot become better for the people we leave it to.

Nancy Stevens for Nominating Committee Member

Nancy Stevens attended her first Creative Arts Camp in 2014, where she felt very welcomed right from the start. Over the years she has primarily attended Creative Arts, August and Winter Eliots. Nancy has served as dean for Winter and CAE camps, and she has been the music coordinator for many camps, a job which she dearly loves! She has also been the Ukulele instructor for 3 years at CAE. You can also find her leading jams and sing-alongs after dinner or program.

When she's not at Eliot, Nancy lives in Bend Oregon, or wherever her travels take her. Most recently, that has been cross country skiing in Colorado. She loves the outdoors and you can find her bicycling, hiking, or skiing. She works part time as a program coordinator for Disability Support Network, providing disability awareness to people of all ages at schools, businesses

and other nonprofits.

Nancy appreciates being asked to serve on the nominating committee, which will give her the opportunity to contribute even more to the vibrant Eliot community that has given her so much joy!