One more big thing is checked off our list. Today at our Sundance cabin we were retired from the Ouelessebougou Alliance Board of Directors, and John stepped down as the Chairman of the Board. It’s been a load of work for him this last year, oftentimes full-time.
We are leaving things in great hands, with a new Executive Director, Crys Lee, who has been fantastic, and with a strong board. It’s a little sad to leave these friends and the good work happening in Mali. John and I have been associated with the OA for many many years. Now we will watch from afar.
We were 14 in number–Crys Lee (Exe Director), Kara Carlston (new board chair), Carl Dempsey (past board chair because John will be gone), Addie Fuhriman, Dick Loomis, Danene Torgerson, Betsy (finance), Bo Jonas (lawyer), Ben Whisenant, Mike Maughan, Heidi Poleman, and Joe. This is a really great team.
It was a little sad to say good bye. At the end, Addie said some kind words about us and then told us that they’d decided to start a “John and Ann Lewis Scholarship Fund” to send a top student each year to high school who would not otherwise be able to go. School fees will be paid. That was very kind and a sweet honor.
Adieu, mes amis, adieu.
