FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Judy Knapp, Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County
530-626-1222
judy@mentors4youth.org
www.mentors4youth.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County Expands Board with New Directors, Advisors
Placerville, CA, February 3, 2012 –Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County announced today it has expanded its board of directors for 2012, increasing the number of directors from 10 to 13 and is adding two additional advisors. Joining the board as directors are Jill Christianson with Amdocs, Brooke Sobol with Brooke Sobol Copywriting, and Sam Smith, Apple (retired). Debbie Manning, CEO of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce has joined as advisor.
Current Board Vice President, Keith Gordon, has transitioned to advisor. Gordon, Director of Information Systems with Waste Connections and a board member for seven years, anticipates relocating to Texas with his company later this year. Kathleen Solorio, Director of Performance and Learning with Blue Shield of California, and current Board Secretary, is the newly elected Vice President and Secretary of the board. Patti Pitts with Umpqua bank will continue on as the board Treasurer. Another new director is expected to be appointed in late February.
The addition of the board members is a move to fulfill a strategic goal in 2012 of extending the organization’s reach within the community.
“We’re all very excited to expand our board and advisory members with such a wide variety of talents,” said Kelly Seymour, Board President. “The new board members bring skills and ideas that will complement our current board to help us achieve our mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.”
The board and staff are already hard at work planning this year’s fundraising events and developing new programs. “Our new ‘Sponsor a Match’ program allows individual donors and the business community to fully support a Big/Little match for an entire year,” says Seymour. “Sponsoring a match can be a very rewarding gift for an individual, couple, or local business that wants to make an important and lasting impact in the life of a child. And our new ‘Sponsor a School’ program encourages supporters to adopt a school. Through this program, we can communicate our mentorship program to more children, parents and teachers, ensuring more families receive access to the life-changing benefits of mentoring. Sponsors for both programs will receive recognition in various marketing materials and publications throughout the year.”
Executive Director, Judy Knapp, also believes great things will come from the expansion of the board. “When people in our community donate their time and talents to our organization, we can help more children. And that’s what it’s all about – helping children develop positive relationships that have a lasting effect on their lives.”
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County, visit www.mentors4youth.org, join the conversation at www.facebook.com/mentors4youth, or call 530-626-1222.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Dorado County
Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. During the past 30+ years they have provided positive role models for thousands of children. Through one-to-one mentoring relationships, youth are given support and opportunities that help them grow into confident, competent and caring adults.