{"id":6625,"date":"2023-11-13T16:11:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T21:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scpronet.com\/wordpress\/?p=6625"},"modified":"2024-03-28T09:56:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T14:56:11","slug":"board-and-partners-outline-next-steps-at-network-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scpronet.com\/wordpress\/2023\/11\/13\/board-and-partners-outline-next-steps-at-network-retreat\/","title":{"rendered":"New board and partners outline next steps at Network retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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On Saturday, the Network\u2019s board<\/a> and key allies met in Columbia and online to get acquainted and to map plans for the coming three years. The meeting, a mix of business and fellowship, marked the beginning of a new chapter in the 27-year-old organization’s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brandon Upson<\/strong>, the Network\u2019s interim executive director, said the retreat \u201cwas inspiring. I\u2019ve never seen a group with the diversity we have work so seamlessly together. We pushed each other to think bigger, and came out with a very clear direction of where we\u2019re going next.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outgoing Executive Director Brett Bursey<\/strong> said, \u201cOur transition has been slow and deliberate because we wanted to do it right rather than right now. We worked hard to update our 25-year-old bylaws and to tap new leaders to take the Network to the next level. The payoff of that process was evident on Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, who was under the weather, attended Saturday’s meeting on Zoom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Network\u2019s staff and boards of our Education Fund and individual members were joined by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter<\/strong> and staff from her emerging Gilda Cobb-Hunter Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership, as well as organizers from the Union of Southern Service Workers and Campus Workers United. These organizations are collaborating to expand the capacity and maximize the reach of the Missing Voter Project<\/a><\/strong>, the program the Network launched in 2004 targeting key communities with unique messaging and data specific to neighborhoods across South Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was pleased to see such a strong presence from the labor movement as well as elected officials and freedom fighters from different parts of the state,\u201d said Mary Geren<\/strong>, who is spearheading fundraising for the Network. \u201cIt was awesome to see and feel the enthusiasm in the room for this next chapter of the SCPN\u2019s mission to promote social justice in every corner of South Carolina! The work won\u2019t be easy, but with such a talented and dedicated team, it is achievable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(From left) Chris Salley, Brandon Upson, Mary Geren, Allison Terracio, and Nate Terracio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The afternoon was spent brainstorming, setting timelines, defining priorities, and outlining strategies to expand funding and membership. Business included confirming five new members to the board: Anson Foster, Jeanne Hammock<\/strong>, Chris Salley<\/strong>, Allison Terracio<\/strong>, and Lee Turner<\/strong>. We also welcomed Fellows Kwalee Bryant <\/strong>and Charlotte Martin<\/strong>, recent graduates from a three-month training with the USSW. You can see full list of board, staff, and advisors on our web site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the meeting wrapped, everyone was invited to share a meal prepared with love by Columbia chef and Network member Joe Turkaly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Joe Turkaly (left) and Kyle Criminger, longtime board member<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some of the Network\u2019s more seasoned board members are relieved to see the forward momentum after building renovations and pandemic restrictions put our work on pause for several years. Treasurer Shannon Sylvester<\/strong> \u2014 who most of our members know as Shannon Herin, but who just recently married fellow Modjeska Simkins School<\/a> graduate Richard Sylvester<\/strong> \u2014left the meeting excited and hopeful. \u201cIt was inspirational. There were lots of energized, new faces. Like, wow! I felt like I visited the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brett Bursey (left) and Chris Gardner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n