The CWR Board of Directors met via videoconference on September 28. In the interest of keeping members informed, we present highlights from that meeting:
The September meeting started with an acknowledgment of the recent passing of Board member Caelie Haines and would conclude with a reflection on Caelie’s passing led by Stacy Spitler. During the meeting, the Board also accepted a proposal to rename the CWR conference scholarship program in honor of Caelie.
Regular Board business began with a vote approving the appointment of Maureen Falcon to fill the Board seat vacated by Siobhan O’Neill Meluso through the end of 2023. The Board also appointed Dusty Krikau to replace Siobhan as the Board’s vice chair for the remainder of the year.
Conference 2023 Planning Committee Co-Chair Laurie Lindauer joined the meeting as a guest to update the Board on final conference preparations, including panelist selection for a session on collaborating for mission success and attendee prize giveaways.
Treasurer Tammy Townsend Denny requested committee chairs notify her of committee budget needs prior to the Board’s October 10 gathering at the CWR conference in St. Louis.
The Board also approved updates to its grievance policy and a new staff jurisdiction agreement.
During the executive team report, Chair Kim Westerman noted that incoming 2024 Board members will attend a virtual onboarding meeting on October 23. Kim also shared the agenda for the October 10 meeting of Board members in St. Louis.
Director of Communication and Membership Brian Lavelle updated the Board on conference registration.
Marketing Committee Co-Chair Stacy Spitler highlighted the accomplishments of the committee’s awards sub-group in steering the 2023 CWR awards program and most recently announcing awards finalists.
Membership Committee Co-Chair Alison Lucci confirmed that international “come-and-see” conference scholarship recipient Frances Okafor, SSND, would travel from Nigeria to attend the CWR conference in St. Louis.
In her role as Education Committee Co-Chair, Dusty reported on the conclusion of the inaugural cohort of the Strategic Communications Certificate presented by CWR Academy. To complete the program and earn a certificate, each participant was to submit a strategic plan by the end of September. With the submission of those plans, goals for the program included in CWR’s Conrad N. Hilton Foundation grant would be met.
After gathering both in person in St. Louis and online on October 10, the Board will hold a fully virtual meeting on October 26.
CWR 2023 Board of Directors
Kim Westerman, Chair
Dusty Krikau, Vice Chair
Tammy Townsend Denny, Treasurer
Alison Lucci, Corporate Secretary
Maureen Falcon
Amanda Hackett
Stacy Spitler
Marie Stuart, RSM
Gina Sullivan
CWR Staff
Brian Lavelle, Director of Membership and Communication