A Message From New Board Chair Susie Miner

Dear TURN Friends,

I must confess that I am honored and a little surprised to reprise my role as Board Chair. I am reminded of the infamous lines from Hollywood – “I’ll be back…” “Hello, boys, I’m back…,” and “they’re back….” Those quotes seem to hold more threat than promise.

As I look forward, I am startled at the vast differences between the start of this fiscal year and 2007 when I last chaired TURN’s Board. The landscape in which non-profits navigate has become much more difficult. The nation has experienced severe economic downturn; the unemployment rate is up; wages are stagnant; financial credit is tight; corporate and individual donations have declined; and a corrosive, divisive spirit seems to hover over public debate. Non-profit providers and their employees are asked to do ever more with significantly fewer resources.

Having said this, the Board is committed to achieving TURN Community Services’ mission statement – we will work to turn dreams into reality and we will succeed. We will have to do so in creative ways, calling upon the talents and abilities of friends, family members, employees, volunteers, and the people we work for. In order to harness these talents and abilities, we as Board members also have to nurture the constituencies on whom we depend. This will mean enhancing communication with, recognition of, and opportunities for all.

We will start by celebrating TURN’s move into its new main office. The facility is purposely built for our needs and environmentally sustainable. Please join the Board and me as we move into the future.

Susie Miner