by Patricia Donnelly
It seems in every newsletter we mention how the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia continues to grow and change. This one is no different, with the last four months bringing changes in the staffing of the Council. We have said our reluctant good-byes to two very long-time staff members, Rebekah Bundang and Lizette Zurita, and are hoping to see them active in our volunteer corps.
Rebekah first served the Literacy Council in 2001 as our office manager, a position which evolved into director of administration. Her responsibilities were vast. She managed accounts payable, payroll, the annual financial audit, inventory, financial records, and more. When the Council's budget passed the $1 million mark, the Board agreed to hire a senior director of operations with 15 years experience as a chief financial officer, at which point Rebekah moved to the program side of the Council staff as the Basic Literacy tutoring specialist. She was delighted to work more closely with the volunteers and the adult learners. Another year goes by and once again the Council, responding to the changing needs of our community, adds a learning difficulties component to the Basic Literacy tutoring curriculum, necessitating the addition of a staff member with specialized experience in working with special needs learners. Around this same time, Rebekah had seen some changes in her own life, as well, with the birth of her first child, Margaret Elena. The Literacy Council is so grateful to Rebekah for ten years of incredible dedication and service and looks forward to seeing her at LCNV events with her beautiful baby girl.
Lizette, too, has been with the Literacy Council for ten years, and for many of you, she was the first point of contact. She has been the voice on the phone, the face at the front desk, and the information clearing house for hundreds of questions from learners, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Lizette knew more answers than I knew questions. She saw us through many staff changes, two moves, program expansion, and kept current with all the details and minutia of the organization, so she could share that information with you. Lizette, too, had her first baby, Miguel Angel, in May of 2010. Lizette chose to resign in December. We will miss our dear colleagues, but as always, accept change with grace and hopeful anticipation that it will lead us where we need to go next.
Patricia M. Donnelly
Executive Director
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