While Thanksgiving may be in the rear-view mirror, November
and December seem to elicit deeper thought than is true of the earlier months of
the year. As we hold on tight as 2012
races for the history books, we can’t help but take time with this blog to
focus our thoughts on just a few of the very long list of things for which we
are deeply thankful.
A Great Leadership
Team
We at the Endowment have perhaps the most diverse and committed group of Board leaders that any non-profit could wish to have. That team has been amazingly stable. In fact, through our November 2012 meeting, 10 of 13 of our number were “charter” members. But, as we pass our sixth year as an institution we have reached the point where mandatory term limits and normal changes in people’s lives ensure change. At the close of the November meeting we saw three more of our initial number – Chuck Leavell, Duane McDougall, and Jim Rinehart – step aside from service. While each will be missed, they helped ensure that the Endowment has deep roots and is headed in the right direction.
We at the Endowment have perhaps the most diverse and committed group of Board leaders that any non-profit could wish to have. That team has been amazingly stable. In fact, through our November 2012 meeting, 10 of 13 of our number were “charter” members. But, as we pass our sixth year as an institution we have reached the point where mandatory term limits and normal changes in people’s lives ensure change. At the close of the November meeting we saw three more of our initial number – Chuck Leavell, Duane McDougall, and Jim Rinehart – step aside from service. While each will be missed, they helped ensure that the Endowment has deep roots and is headed in the right direction.
Too, those changes result in opportunities to add fresh
perspectives and renewed passion. In that
regard, John Kulhavi and Kent Gilges, have come aboard.
The broader forestry sector is far from the world’s model
for diversity in all of its facets. But,
at the Endowment, with our twin mission of advancing healthy working forests
and promoting positive social/economic change in rural forested communities, we
have a deeply experienced and diverse
team for which we are very thankful.
Outstanding Partners
We sometimes think of what we do as similar to the old BASF commercial, “We don’t make a lot of the products you buy; we make a lot of the products you buy better.” As an organization that uses a catalytic business model to advance its mission, it is critical that we identify and collaborate with partners who can “put boots on the ground.”
We sometimes think of what we do as similar to the old BASF commercial, “We don’t make a lot of the products you buy; we make a lot of the products you buy better.” As an organization that uses a catalytic business model to advance its mission, it is critical that we identify and collaborate with partners who can “put boots on the ground.”
Again, we’ve been VERY blessed. Our for-profit and non-profit partners are
among the best of the best in the broader forestry sector. Whether it is our team of researchers working
to consider the potential of modern biotechnology as a tool in the battle
against destructive pests and diseases or be it the businesses with who we are
investing to add family supporting jobs in rural communities, each is
outstanding. We are proud to be working
with not-for-profits, universities, businesses -- both start-ups and household
names -- and others for the good of the nation’s forests and the people who
depend upon them.
Visionary Co-Investors
As a very young institution just beginning to put deep roots and investments in “our space,” we are once again blessed to be joined by others who have been engaged in the fray for many decades. Our lead federal partners – the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service – have been joined by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. We are very appreciative of not only the financial commitment each has made, but more importantly, for the trust each has placed in us.
As a very young institution just beginning to put deep roots and investments in “our space,” we are once again blessed to be joined by others who have been engaged in the fray for many decades. Our lead federal partners – the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service – have been joined by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. We are very appreciative of not only the financial commitment each has made, but more importantly, for the trust each has placed in us.
From the American Forest Foundation to the Weyerhaeuser
Family Foundation, still others are co-investing with an understanding that
where we can advance a common objective our chances for success increase.
A Committed Staff
While my list of thanks could exceed that of even the most ambitious child who pens his wishes to Santa, let me save my final thanks for those few who comprise the Endowment’s staff. While there are only five full-time members – two of us who have been here from the start – few organizations can be as blessed as to have such a professional and committed group with whom to labor. Too, we’ve been doubly blessed to be able to augment our hands and feet with the service of outstanding interns --the current bunch all hailing from Furman University. The core team, buttressed by our interns, is further aided by a cadre of top notch consultants who help us deliver many of our programs. All are critical and each adds value.
While my list of thanks could exceed that of even the most ambitious child who pens his wishes to Santa, let me save my final thanks for those few who comprise the Endowment’s staff. While there are only five full-time members – two of us who have been here from the start – few organizations can be as blessed as to have such a professional and committed group with whom to labor. Too, we’ve been doubly blessed to be able to augment our hands and feet with the service of outstanding interns --the current bunch all hailing from Furman University. The core team, buttressed by our interns, is further aided by a cadre of top notch consultants who help us deliver many of our programs. All are critical and each adds value.
For now, my special thanks to Florence Colby, Sofi Delgado
Perusquia, Kim Free, Alan McGregor, Katie Premo, Peter Stangel, and Patrick
Starr.
Too, each of us is thankful to have the opportunity to work
with and for the premier public charity working for the good of the nation’s
forests and rural forest-based communities!
As the old hymn says, “Count
your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the
Lord hath done.” For us, very true
words.
Carlton N. OwenPresident & CEO
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