Hands4Hope is excited to announce two
new members to the Board of Directors, Andrea Howard and Steve Backers! Read on
to learn about Andrea’s and Steve’s experiences with Hands4Hope, their
involvement in the community, and their plans for the organization as board
members.
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Andrea
How and why did you get involved with
Hands4Hope?
Jennifer
Bassett and I have been acquaintances for a few years, seeing each other at
community events and fundraisers. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I sense that
she set a master plan in motion last year by inviting me and my husband to
participate as adult mentors for the 2016 Haunted House Committee. That was our
first real interaction seeing the youth in leadership action. Once you witness
these young people organize, communicate, and execute a community service
project - - while juggling the demands of school and other extra-curricular
activities - - I was hooked. For me, the first sentence of the Hands4Hope
mission really says it all: cultivate the
next generation of socially responsible citizens. How can anyone say no to
that?
What do you do in addition to your
work for Hands4Hope, or what were you involved with before joining the
Hands4Hope Board?
In
my professional world, I am the Principal Planner for Parker Development
Company and I have worked for the company for more than 2 decades. Our
corporate culture places great emphasis on philanthropy and community service,
meaning that my employer not only supports but encourages me to get involved
with a number of charitable organizations. I am currently on the boards of the
Boys and Girls Club El Dorado County Western Slope, Marshall Foundation, El
Dorado Hills Endowment Cabinet, and the El Dorado County Economic Development
Corporation. When I’m not busy with work or volunteer positions, I enjoy
running, cooking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with my husband and
two
rambunctious
Labradors.
What goals do you have for your work
with Hands4Hope?
Hands4Hope
is in a growing phase and wants to increase its presence in the greater
Placerville area. I hope my network of non-profit and professional contacts
throughout the western slope of El Dorado County can assist in those endeavors
to expand the organization’s reach and increase its resource development.
What are you most looking forward to
in working with Hands4Hope?
The
thing I am most excited about is finding more opportunities to work directly
with the youth. It seems that the national news these days is riddled with
stories of conflict, hatred and violence. Working with our local youth and
seeing their compassion and respect for others gives me a great sense of hope
that our local community is in good hands. And as our youth of today evolve into
adulthood, they bring with them valuable leadership skills, kindheartedness,
and confidence in their abilities for all that they choose academically,
socially and professionally. They are well on their way to becoming talented
mentors for our future generations.
Is there anything else that you would
like to add?
I
just want to take the opportunity to thank Jennifer, the staff and the rest of
the Board for welcoming me to your team. I look forward to getting to know all
of you better and furthering the mission and vision of Hands4Hope.
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Steve
How and why did you get
involved with Hands4Hope?
I knew about Hands4Hope both because my daughter was involved
when she was at Oak Ridge, and because I have worked with Doug Busch and Mike
Bassett in the past, two people I greatly respect, so I've heard a lot about
all the great things that the organization does from them. I decided to join
the board because I believe strongly in the mission, I have experience that I
think can help Hands4Hope, I want to continue to give back to our community,
and I believe in Jennifer and the people on her team.
What do you do in addition to your
work for Hands4Hope, or what were you involved with before joining the
Hands4Hope Board?
In addition to my new involvement with Hands4Hope, I teach and
consult. I teach in the Business School at William Jessup University and I do
Talent and Organizational Performance independent consulting. When I'm not doing that, I like to mountain
bike, road bike, and hike.
What goals do you have for your work
with Hands4Hope?
I hope to be a resource for Jennifer, her team, and the other
board members to help set a clear direction for the organization, and to help
make Hands4Hope the role model non-profit organization in our community.
What are you most looking forward to
in working with Hands4Hope?
I'm just excited to get in and help, to get to know the rest of
the great people involved, to get out on some outreach activities, and see the
youth, the team, and the organization grow and develop all while helping those
less fortunate in our community!
Is there anything else that you would
like to add?
Doug is pretty famous for his engineering prowess, use of power
tools, and handy man skills. In that area, I'm not even worth to carry his tool
belt, but I've got a few other skills!
