BIO
Jeff and I moved here in 1999 to be close to our family. We determined Oakmont would best suit our life style, at that time and for later years.
My educational background: BA, MA , UC Berkeley.Professions: YMCA Activity Director; Development Director at Hospice of Marin, Terwilliger Nature Education Center; Executive Director of Lighthouse for the Blind, Houston Community Service Center, Greater Washington Tourette Syndrome Association, United Against Sexual Assault of Sonoma County.
Volunteering is integral to my life: as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Board member, (Texas Coalition of Social Service Ministries, Abused Womenâs Services, Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, West Marin Senior Services), advisor to West Marin Senior Services, on call companion to patients in the Chaplainâs program at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, 4Paws therapy team visiting rehabilitation facilities and Valley of the Moon Childrenâs Home, food server at the Living Room, and Oakmont librarian and neighborhood COPE leader.
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1.
My professional experience as a not for profit administrator and fundraiser has provided me with opportunities to work effectively with diverse and strong personalities, interrelate with a wide variety of management styles and philosophies, and work diplomatically with the public, media, community, political office holders and other interested people. No less important is my experience with preparing and managing annual budgets, ensuring transparency including âopen booksâ methods, and cultivating relationships of trust and credibility with donors, individuals, agencies, businesses, foundations and politicians. All of the above are skills sets that will relate to my service on the OVA Board.
2.
I would bring to the Board the capability to focus on issues and to evaluate alternatives, without being swayed by emotions. The essence of my professional experience will enable me to separate being a resident from being a board member and placing the communityâs interests before my personal beliefs. My many years as an Executive Director in many different cultures and with many different personalities has helped me to be pragmatic in dealing with issues. I also have learned to seek advice and listen to pursue expertise before reaching conclusions. My experience both reporting to boards and being on boards has provided unique experience that I look forward to sharing with Oakmont.
3.
As a Board member I would communicate with fellow residents in many ways and venues that would include. (1) impartial, sensitive listening to residentsâ concerns through surveys, open forums at board meetings, ad hoc committee findings; (2) exercising transparency by candidly sharing my views whenever possible, (3) encourage videotaping board meetings so every resident has access and (4) periodic âfireside chatsâ or other informal gatherings. However, more than speaking, I believe it is most important that as a Board member I listen to what everyone has to say.