Home Trust Annual Meeting

Everyone feels good when giving back to their communities and there were lots of good feelings floating around at the Home Trust Annual Meeting on October 27th at the Grange! Members, supporters and interested islanders gathered for music, food, an update on the last year of activity, and the election of new board members. Teddy Deane kicked off the evening with music while people socialized and then settled down with pizza and salad provided by the Home Trust. Board members and supporters supplied desserts.

The program began with opening remarks by Board Chair Sarah Crosby which included a “thank you” to all of the many volunteer efforts this past year, and to departing board members. Current home owners, Courtney Smith, Simona Burla and Dina Melic spoke about what living in a Home Trust neighborhood means to them and to their families. House sponsor Gary Sterner spoke about why he feels that support for the Home Trust is so important to our Island way of life.

Remarks were followed by a more detailed overview of the Home Trust’s current project, Sun Rise II, presented by Executive Director Nancy DeVaux. DeVaux then presented certificates of appreciation to departing long time Board Members Pete Kilpatrick, Sam Buck and Glen Bruels. Each of these retiring board members signaled their intention of staying involved with the organization.

In addition to providing an overview of the last year’s work and progress, both Crosby and DeVaux, along with other board members, stressed to guests the ongoing need for monetary support of the Home Trust. Currently in the middle of the Sun Rise II project, unforeseen expenses having to do with recycling homes, have presented challenges to the project budget. The Home Trust is seeking two additional House Sponsors, at the level of $75,000 each, and donations of any amount to help complete the project which will provide a total of 12 refurbished homes to low and moderate income families here on San Juan Island.

The last order of business was the election of new board members, some to finish out uncompleted terms and others for a full 2 year term. Sam Buck presided and the full slate of nominees: Bridget Nyberg, Maia Yip, Bob Kleven, Steve Bowman, Attilio Galli, Steve Ulvi and Gay Graham were elected. Chary Caren and Sarah Crosby were also elected to new terms.

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