Naples: Board Walking – Finding a board that aligns with your values, interests, and expertise

At our May meetings, we will discuss “Board Walking!” and the benefits of joining a non-profit board and how they can be a great way to contribute to a cause you care about, develop your skills, and expand your network. However, it’s important to research and finds a board that aligns with your values, interests, and expertise.

Board walking, or exploring different non-profit boards to find the best fit, can involve several steps. First, you must identify the causes and issues that matter most to you. Then, you can research non-profit organizations focused on those areas and learn more about their mission, programs, leadership, and impact.

Once you’ve identified a few potential boards, you’ll be able to contact the organization and let them know you’re interested in joining them. It’s important to ask questions and gather information about the board’s responsibilities, expectations, time commitment, and governance structure. Please ask about the board’s current members, their backgrounds and expertise, and how they contribute to the organization’s success.

Finally, it’s important to consider your skills, experience, and availability to determine whether you are a good fit for the board. You should also assess whether the board’s culture, values, and priorities align with your own and whether you are passionate about the organization’s mission.

Board walking can be valuable for finding the right non-profit board to join. It can help you identify opportunities to make a meaningful impact, connect with like-minded individuals, and develop your leadership skills.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Vicki Thomas Tracy, Chief Operating Officer at Gulf Coast International Properties. Service – Integrity – Luxury Experience. These principles are the foundation upon which Gulf Coast International Properties was founded. With over 100 years of combined full-time real estate experience, the owners of GCIP offer clients an unparalleled level of knowledge, passion, and insight into the Naples luxury marketplace.
  Gulf Coast International Properties combines unrivaled client services, uncompromising integrity, and an innovative local, national, and international marketing strategy that unites exceptional properties with an extraordinary experience. https://www.gcipnaples.com/about.php Vicki is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida and sits on our Executive Council.
• Jennifer Cail is owner of Southwest Florida’s premier bookkeeping firm specializing in businesses and offers advanced financial advisory services. Jennifer founded Medrano & Cail Bookkeeping Professionals to provide the most luxurious bookkeeping services imaginably. With on-demand, white-glove support and instant access to accurate company financials, Jennifer’s clients enjoy high-level insights into their company finances that help them accelerate growth, identify opportunities, and run more efficient – and profitable – businesses. https://www.medranoandcail.com/ Jennifer is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida.
• William J. (Bill) Allen, JD, CFRE  Chief Development Officer, Child Path. Child’s Path is a §501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strengthens and enriches the lives of Collier County children and working families by providing safe, accessible, affordable, high-quality Early Childhood Education. As the largest provider of childcare in the Naples / West Collier County area, Child’s Path serves nearly 400 children from birth to age five at four (4) locations under three (3) distinct operational models. Affordable, high-quality childcare has become a major workforce issue for working parents and their local employers in the Naples area. Employers without the financial resources to provide childcare for their employees are searching for alternatives. For children, Early Childhood Education changes the trajectory of a child’s life and prepares them for academic success and lifelong learning. In Collier County, where only 47% of all children test ‘ready for kindergarten,’ 83% of Child’s Path students test “kindergarten-ready.” Child’s Path has developed an innovative, cost-effective, and partnership-driven Brighter Future initiative that will help our community’s children, working parents, employers, and residents while moving closer to the goal of 100% “kindergarten-ready” children. Employers can invest in “childcare solutions” that help both their employees with small children and their company by becoming a Corporate Partner of Child’s Path.

Meet our Emcee:

• Patrick Neale, from Patrick Neale & Associates, Patrick is an attorney, a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil mediator, and a qualified arbitrator who practices law in the areas of construction law, small business law, bankruptcy, land use, contractor licensing, real estate, zoning, governmental and administrative law. His firm specializes in a holistic approach to the solution of clients’ problems. Patrick is the Code Enforcement Magistrate for Collier County, has represented the Collier County Contractors’ Licensing Board for over fifteen years, and has represented clients before the Legislature, Governor and Cabinet, the Collier County Commission, City of Marco Island Council, state and federal courts and various governmental boards and agencies. Patrick is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida and sits on our Executive Council. 

Meet our panelists:

• Samira K. Beckwith is a recognized pioneer in the hospice and healthcare field. Her expertise and lifetime commitment to quality care is acknowledged throughout the state, nationally, and internationally. She was appointed to The White House Conference on Aging and served on a panel for the Senate Special Committee on Aging. She has testified before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the need for legislation to enable better care and comfort for those at the end of life. Within the state of Florida, she was given special recognition by Governors DeSantis, Scott, and Bush, having been appointed to their respective committees, including the Transition Advisory Committee on Health and Wellness, the Board of Directors for the Florida Center for Nursing, and the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Governor Jeb Bush describes Dr. Beckwith as “a visionary who provides leadership on a local and national level – passionate about ensuring the highest quality of service” after she served on his Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. As a dedicated champion for palliative care and end-of-life issues, Samira has served as Chair for both the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation. In addition, she is the Founding President of the Florida PACE Providers Association and a Founding Director of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation. Samira’s leadership, career accomplishments, and commitment to diversity have also been honored. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, bestowed upon distinguished Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives. Samira received a sociology degree and a Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University, where she later served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Samira received The Ohio State Medalist Award, presented to alumni who have gained national or international distinction in a chosen field, and was granted Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Southwest Florida College and Piedmont College.
• Claudine Leger-Wetzel, Vice President of Sales & Marketing  Originally from Montreal, Canada, Claudine has called Naples home since 1985. Claudine has been an integral part of Stock Development for over 20 years. Stock Development is a Diversified Real Estate Company celebrating over 20 years in Southwest Florida. Involved in all aspects of the Company, including Master Community Planning, Product Design, Hospitality, Amenities, and Sales & Marketing. Stock has been ranked in Builder 100 for nine years in a row and most recently was named # 13 largest Privately held Company in Southwest Florida. The Company continues diversifying and expanding in Florida and beyond, always looking for new opportunities. Claudine is involved with several organizations in the area and continues to give back as time allows. She was Chair of Pace Collier for several years and led the efforts to create more awareness and has dramatically increased fundraising for the Center in Immokalee. Claudine is also a Naples Chamber Board Member, Naples Illustrated Board member, and on the Board for the Foundation at FGCU. She is also involved in a variety of other organizations, from Champions for Learning to Golisano Children’s Hospital and Habitat for Humanity, along with the Collier Building Industry Association. Claudine has been married to her husband Greg for 35 years, and they have three children. She is proud to be a Military Mom as her son Colton is a Captain in the US Air Force, where he serves as a Pilot of the new KC 46. https://www.stockdevelopment.com/
• Vicki Thomas Tracy has multiple degrees from Central Michigan and the University of Michigan. Having raised millions of dollars for “her town,” she is often called upon when a “get it done” person and cheerleader or a chairperson for an event is called for. Vicki’s name is always at the top of the list when a leader is needed. When calls come for a senior in need of care cheerleader, she goes into overdrive as her passion for seniors remains her priority. She is the daughter of Darlene Thomas, a single mother of 5 children, and married to her devoted husband, Steve. You can always find Vicki at the helm or in a leadership role in the community, making a difference in someone’s life, be it the younger residents or our older ones! Vicki served as the Executive Counsel of the Above Board Chamber of Florida.

Meet our featured Non-profit: 4Kids

Rick Jacobs is the Executive Director of 4KIDS Southwest Florida, a faith-based foster care licensing agency serving the 5 Southwest Florida county region. Rick has decades of experience in the foster care world; he and his wife have fostered over 30 children and adopted 3, joining their three biological children. Prior to 4KIDS, Rick served as the Executive and Worship Pastor at First Baptist of Pompano, FL, and he was the Worship and Administrative Pastor at Riverside Baptist Church in Ft. Myers for 11 years. https://www.4kids.us/

For information on becoming an Annual Sponsor, a Meeting Sponsor, an Angel Lunch Sponsor, a Member, or an Ambassador, or for more information, please call 239-910-7426 and ask for Jeanne Sweeney, CEO/ Founder of the Above Board Chamber of FL. Together we can sail into 2023 and make it our best year yet!

Thank you to CONRIC pr + marketing for helping us with our press releases and website to get this important meeting out!