I hope this note finds you healthy and safe.
As uncertainty and trauma unfolded in our country over the past two weeks, I cannot help but find balance and hope in the values that bind us as a community, and we impart to our campers, who are our future.
Simplicity, peacemaking, integrity, community, equity, and service.
As we choose to live them out, I believe these values are the antidote to the uncertainty, trauma, and frankly, hatred we have seen around us.
I get increasingly excited about my first summer of F&W camps each passing day. I have heard so many stories about what makes F&W magical. Each story lifts my spirits, and I invite you to continue to share them with me.
As the days get longer, I feel like summer is right around the corner! Last week we welcomed back all staff to work, including those who had been furloughed or were working reduced schedules. It felt energizing to be together, even over Zoom.
For those of you coming to F&W this summer, you will see many familiar faces, some new ones, and familiar faces in new roles. We have had some transitions, shared below, and while we cannot replace these unique individuals, we have plans to ensure the F&W experience doesn’t skip a beat.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Erik Biornstad, Jeff Bounds, Chantal Deojay, Bryan Felice, and Thomas Henning, who recently left F&W. Each has left their mark with many of us and shown us that work is love made visible. Thank you.
Below are some F&W staffing updates I want to share with you.
Jay Kullman, who recently served as the Interim Executive Director, will oversee our Farm operations.
Adam Gelroth, who has played a more behind the scenes role as Gardens Manager at the Farm, will serve as our Interim Farm Manager as we launch a search for the new Farm Manager.
Julie Angilly, who has 20 years of non-profit, development, marketing experience and I worked with for 9 years, will be our Interim Director of Development. Julie also has a connection to the area as her family vacationed on Lake Rescue for over 50 years.
Tulio Browning, whom many of you will know from his time as Timberlake Director and then co-Director with Jarod “W” Wunnerberger, has taken on a new full-time role as Marketing Manager, and Jarod will be the Timberlake Director. We also welcomed Tori Clitheroe, a senior at the University of Texas and an F&W alumna, as our first Social Media intern.
In the weeks to come, we will be launching searches for our Interim SAM Director, Farm Manager, Director of Development, and Communications Manager. Please forward this email to anyone interested in these roles or share names – possibly yours – with Julie Sanderson, our Human Resources Manager, at julie@farmandwilderness.org.
I look forward to seeing many of you and your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews this summer and to being in touch before then.
With best wishes for you and your dear ones in this New Year,
Frances
Frances McLaughlin, Executive Director