Volunteers Needed! Friends of the 46th Ward Schools Seeks New Board

If you'd like to help have an impact on the children growing up and attending public schools, here's a great chance to make some lives better.  Friends of the 46th Ward Schools sent out an email this morning:

For the last four years, the three of us at Friends of the 46th Ward Schools have worked hard to support the schools in the 46th Ward.  Along with some key supporters, we have organized five school supply drives, pulled off three fundraisers, and brought in thousands of dollars in donations for the schools in our ward, all while parenting five young children among us, working our regular day jobs, and living our lives in the 46th Ward.  

Whoever thinks one person can't make an impact is wrong, wrong, wrong!  We have loved every minute of it.  We've witnessed the generosity of our community.  We've seen residents, businesses, teachers, students, local government, and parents unite to support our schools.  We've grown personally as we accomplished things we've never done and didn't know we could do. And we've been inspired by all of our supporters.

As our kids grow older and our lives demand more from us, we've found ourselves with less to give Friends of the 46th Ward Schools.  We absolutely do not want all of our hard work over the last four years to go to waste (not to mention our own funds we've contributed to the group's formation).  But, in order to continue as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, we need to pass on much of the organizational leadership to new board members.  

We need someone (or a few someones) who can take over and implement his/her/their own vision for supporting the 46th Ward's public schools. We'll be around to help and advise, but we'd love for someone to come in and take over and do your thing.  Or discover your thing.  No experience necessary, just some time on your hands and a desire to contribute somehow, some way.  We've done a lot of the hard stuff already:  501(c)(3) registration, website, social media, community networking, relationships with schools.  The structure is there.  We just can't continue at the level we think the organization needs.  

We'll be honest with you.  If we don't find anyone to take over the reigns, we will be forced to dissolve.  It has been an extremely difficult conclusion to come to, but we know what we're capable of and we can't deny that life and children are pulling us in different directions.  

If you think you might be interested in working with our group, please let us know.  You don't have to commit now.  We can meet for coffee and just chat.  If you know someone who you think might be looking for a volunteer opportunity or a way to make an impact in the community, please pass our message along.

We'd love to give someone the opportunity to experience the sense of community and personal growth we've experienced over the last four years.  It has changed our lives for the better.  Will it change yours?

You can contact Friends of the 46th Ward Schools here.