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Dear Imagine friends and family,
There's a lot of eventy stuff to talk about this month. We have a book signing by our Tim, Halloween in progress, an award given to an Imagine facilitator and appreciation of the film festival that just happened.
The film festival was wonderful once more. The turnout was good and the feeling was great. We didn't mean to hold it on Wednesday and apologize to all who wanted to attend but couldn't on a school/work night. We hope to get it back earlier in the month and on a Friday again next year. Thank you to all who did come, who made movies, who cooked food, who made music, who made new friends and reunited with old ones, who stayed late or left early. That event feels like the day in the year when our mission soars. And whoever that was doing karaoke with Slow Coast, Imagine's official favorite musical act, you brought extra glamor. Boss man E, you were great. Aveanna Healthcare and Santa Cruz County Bank we thank you again for your sponsorship. You should be proud of helping to bring this event to our community. And we're proud of the job Patty and the team of volunteers did once again.
Congratulations, Jessica.
I have long been doubtful of a regional center's ability to distinguish excellence in caregivers but a stopped clock is right twice a day and SARC has been giving its Service Above Self Awards for more than 20 years. Congratulations to the SARC board for its lucky discernment and to Jessica for meriting the award. We are really proud of our staff and Jessica has built several teams from scratch that have developed laudable expertise and commitment to their clients.
Tim's book signing. We could not be prouder that our friend, Tim, has written and published a book of his own mythology. It has sold out several times at Book Shop Santa Cruz but don't you worry because Tim is coming to Imagine and bringing copies for sale. The Book Signing is November 14 at the community room at Imagine, from 4-6 PM. We'll provide pizza and soft drinks. The flyer is below.
And Halloween is all around us as I am writing. You kind find pictures of some of us in costume at left.
Finally, there have been some significant transitions on the Imagine Leadership Team. Brenda Lopez, who has been a successful and wonderful Facilitator made the choice that for now, she prefers to be a Lead Staff. Abra and the Kennedy House benefit and we're glad she loves Imagine enough to stick with us because we're sure that fond of and grateful to her. We are in the process of hiring a new Facilitator. In the meanwhile, her cases have been temporarily added to existing caseloads. Team AJ, I got you.
After two years of filling the front of the office with warmth and the back with latex gloves, Norma received an offer to go and work with Head Start as a coordinator. We thank her for the goodness she brought us and congratulate Head Start on their kind and generous new hire.
Which brings us to the new: New employees and mostly only them will appreciate Eileen who has been recruiting for us as a temp while Fabi takes time with her beautiful new baby. Eileen's intelligence and creativity have added a lot to Imagine and the hiring process. She will be joining the family as an Imagine employee working during Norma's morning hours. The newest member of the leadership team is Jhonny (photo at left,) who will be doing Norma's old position in the afternoons. He share's Norma's positivity but where she is quiet, he is an outspoken gesturer. It meant a lot to Norma to leave Imagine in such good hands and we're grateful to her, Eileen and Jhonny. We are well cared for.
Susan Douglass a soon-to-be-former Imagine mom is stepping down as leader and convener of the Community Connections group of Imagine Parents and Conservators. Susan has been a great board member and did so much to make sure that stakeholder community gets heard, seen and spoken to. I enjoy working with Susan so much and want her to know how much I appreciate her work and look forward to unprecedentedly relaxed conversations going forward.
Further down, this month's newsletter includes the following:.
The Redwood Chronicles has a joke from Jake, aka the Riddler.
Patty Lopez, gets to talk events instead of processes. Her soul is nourished.
I left Jen's explainer in because we are still getting questions.
The Service Sector has discussion of some new things we're trying to streamline our communication, payroll & billing and transparency.
The Person-Centered Evolution column gets a second one month hiatus because I'm tired.
In Community Connections, Susan is stepping down. If you are a parent or conservator of one of our clients and want to step into the breach, please let me know.
Our usual stuff in the columns around advocacy, self-determination, the Imagine Endowment and Transparency.
The Person-Centered Evolution this month is just pictures.
This month we have spotlights on Angie Castro and David P.
This month, the Imagine Activities Calendar is not attached, due to confusion during Norma's transition, my incompetence and the fact that I procrastinated finishing this newsletter until after hours on Halloween. I have seen it and it exists but I don't know where. My apologies for this and if you want a copy, you can get it through your facilitator or by writing to Jhonny.
As ever, I am at your service. If you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can write me here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Gratefully yours,
Doug
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