Happy fall! We have passed the autumn equinox. Our days are getting shorter, and the weather is cooler. The change of seasons and the start of the school year have always been exciting for me – a time to think about new beginnings.
How fitting that I began my first weeks here at the Community Foundation during my favorite season. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the dedicated Community Foundation staff and board, meeting with several nonprofit partners, and connecting with my peer foundation leaders from across the state. I’m eager to learn from their wealth of knowledge and experience, particularly now, as we begin a new strategic planning process. This deep dive will be a reflection on where we have been and a discussion on how we can best serve our 41 communities over the next five years. However, we will not embark on this process of discovery alone. Community perspectives will augment a diverse committee of board and staff members to guide us in our thinking.
I look forward to continuing to meet with our nonprofit partners this fall. We will hold open receptions in Fall River and New Bedford in the coming weeks. It will be an opportunity to learn about and share the incredible work happening in our communities. Please watch for invitations landing in your inbox soon!
Every day, I wake up thinking, “I love my job!” That is because together, we make the South Coast an incredible place to live, learn, and grow. I cannot wait to see all that we will accomplish together.
Warm regards,
Melanie Edwards-Tavares
Photo credit: Joanna McQuillan Weeks / New Bedford Light