Closer to Expansion – Update from South Dakota

I apologize for my absence. Activity on my board has been slow until last week when we started rolling again. We are one step closer to expanding our chapter by eight counties!

Last week the expansion committee had a conference call with our CSM and laid out what we would like to see happen if we take over the extra coverage area. This is huge for our chapter. Just two years ago we were pulling out of our reserves every quarter and now we are so self-sufficient that we can expand!

I’m pretty excited for everyone. Our chapter executive director is working on a transition budget this week to make sure we can get sufficient funding in order to proceed. This proves that if you can get the right board members and the correct staffing, a chapter can bounce back, quickly. And since I was chair of the search committee who hired our executive less than a year ago, I am proud of myself for helping to make the right decision, he is awesome!

Pending funding we will take over the 8 counties starting July 1, as I am supposed to be beginning my two year term as chairman. This is a concern as I will have to head up the changes of the board to include those in the new area. We have decided we need a new office and are deciding what staff increases we will need. Since I’m graduating in December I have offered to come on part time as staff, as either Development Director or Assistant Executive Director. This would mean I would have to resign from the board, but it would start my career in a nonprofit that I am passionate about. We will see what we need in the coming months.

The committee wasn’t thinking about hiring another person for the office until I explained that our executive is going to have too much to do and could use the help.

Our board meets at the end of the month and will make the final decision on whether or not to expand, so next month I will have more to discuss as things will go quickly after. Have a great day!

Jessica Mueller, South Dakota