Snelling Center for Government

June 2009

Dear Friends,

In recent months, members of our board and I have been working with our staff to restructure the Snelling Center for Government to ensure its permanent and bright future. We are in the process of making a number of changes that we believe will strengthen the organization to continue to fulfill our mission.

As you know, the mission of the Snelling Center for Government is to foster responsible and ethical civic leadership, encourage public service by private citizens, and promote informed citizen participation in shaping public policy in Vermont.

Our key focus going forward will be our signature leadership programs: the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) and the Vermont School Leadership Project (VSLP). The Snelling Center will continue to do public policy work and special programs using a consulting model rather than salaried staff. This change will allow us to greatly reduce overhead and financial risk, during this challenging economic period.

To oversee this transformation, the Board has asked Mark Snelling, one of our founding Board members, to serve as the volunteer President.

Charlie Smith will become a Senior Associate of the Snelling Center, as will Heidi Klein, Susan McCormack and Karyn Vogel. As Senior Associates, they will work to develop and carry out Snelling Center projects as independent consultants.

Our good friend and the co-founder of the Vermont Leadership Institute, Judy Warriner Walke, will become the Director of the VLI and will be welcoming our 16th class in September. Judy has been a faculty member for each of the previous 15 classes.

Valerie Gardner, Snelling board member emerita and former principal of Champlain Valley Union High School, will become the Director of the Vermont School Leadership Project.

Colleen Oettinger, in her 15th year of service, will continue in her role as Director of Events and Business Operations.

As the Snelling Center, like all dynamic organizations, adapts and changes to meet new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, we are grateful for your support, and look forward to your continued connection with our mission and programs.

I want to thank Charlie, Susan, Heidi and Karyn for their hard work over the last few years to fulfill the mission of the Snelling Center as well as for their effort and loyalty during a time of necessary change.

I welcome your ideas and encourage your involvement as we move forward.

Very Truly Yours,

Nancy K. Port, Board Chair