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Mike Niemeyer |
From the President of our Board of Directors
As summer weather replaces our prolonged rainy season, I find myself reflecting on the warmth and camaraderie of my 10+ years' involvement with Maitri. Starting as a direct service volunteer in 2006, I remember taking residents to appointments, strolling over to Safeway in search of snacks, and sitting by bedsides to provide a listening ear. I loaded in auction items and checked in coats at Bliss. Once, I even helped a resident edit his online poetry blog.
Maitri is a special place
-it infuses the spirit and reminds us all that we have a duty to care for each other as human beings. As I subsequently moved into a role on the development committee, a seat on the Board, and now on my second stint as Board President, I continue to remain in awe of the necessary, tough, and meaningful work that happens every single day at Maitri.
Maitri is now in transition. Michael Sorensen has stepped down as Executive Director, leaving in his legacy a historically successful Bliss event and many memories in his short tenure. To fill his shoes, for a short time, returns Bill Musick. Bill had a key role in a prior stint as our Executive Director-most germanely during Maitri's move into its present facility. Bill has been generous with his time during this transition, and we welcomed him formally back into the Maitri family on Friday, June 16th.
Very soon, the Board will be kicking off its next Executive Director search. We are excited to talk to candidates about sustaining the delicate and important work that Maitri delivers. We believe that it is an interesting, dynamic role, and we will strive to fill it with the most accomplished candidate who also exhibits a drive to deliver on our mission and a big heart to hold it dear.
Finally, personally, I want to thank you, the community, for supporting Maitri's mission during both placid and more nuanced times. We hope that you receive something in return, as I have in manifold ways during my 10- year relationship with Maitri.
My very best,
Michael Niemeyer
Board President
Here's what we have for you in this issue:
Please consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend who may not yet know us. As always, thank you so much for your generous support of
Maitri's programs benefiting our residents who struggle every day with advanced AIDS.
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New Interim Executive Director, Bill Musick
 San Francisco's Maitri Compassionate Care has announced the appointment of Bill Musick as interim Executive Director. He will take over the reins from Michael Sorensen, who resigned for personal reasons effective June 16th.
Musick, who served as Executive Director of Maitri during the organization's capital campaign and construction of its Duboce facility, will serve in an interim capacity while the Board of Directors conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
"Bill Musick offers exactly the right experience and history with Maitri during this time," said board chair Mike Niemeyer. "The Board is grateful that he is able to make this interim commitment to bridge the transition to a new, permanent Executive Director."
Bill Musick is currently a Principal at Tower Hill Resources and a Senior Associate and Project Manager for Corridor, which provides guidance to non-acute healthcare providers. For over 30 years, he has provided healthcare organizations management, financial and systems analysis, and project management. He is a respected expert in feasibility analysis for the development of hospice and end-of-life care services. Bill has served on the Sonoma County Commission on AIDS (as Vice Chair), the California State HIV/AIDS Planning Group, and on the Inpatient Forum of the National Hospice Work Group. He is currently on the Advisory Board of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), an affiliate of the Home Health & Hospice Financial Managers Association (HHFMA).
"Maitri is an organization that is near to my heart, and being able to return as interim Executive Director is a real blessing for me personally," stated Musick. "It is a tribute to those who have led Maitri in the intervening years that the organization has continued its important mission of compassionate care to those living with HIV who otherwise might fall between the cracks of our current health and social systems."
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Resident Spotlight
Robert Washington came to Maitri in 2009 with debilitating AIDS. He had severe medical conditions that were stabilized by the nursing team upon his arrival. Robert was counseled by our nutritionist and food services director and his weight increased. Robert was stabilized and he was released from Maitri into permanent housing. Robert says "Maitri counters absolute devastation with absolute hope. Maitri was hope to me." Today Robert is doing well and living independently on
his own.
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Maitri News
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Cindy Gee started as a CNA in the fall of 2014. She recently graduated from City College of San Francisco with a diploma as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
Congratulations Cindy and Maitri is very proud of your hard work.
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Spring Events in Words and Actions
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Maitri Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Staff, Volunteers,
Residents and Board Members
Maitri celebrates 30th Anniversary with intimate party for staff, volunteers, residents and board members at the SF LGBT Center in the rainbow room on Saturday, June 17. Guitarist Megan Slankard performed and Director of Food Services Ann Kong and her staff prepared the delicious treats. The event was organized by Volunteer Coordinator Madeleine Mulderrig and Board President Mike Niemeyer spoke to the crowd.
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Volunteers, Staff, Residents and Board Members
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Academy of Friends 2017 Oscar Gala
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Maitri was represented by Board Member Jill Stockwell and ED Michael Sorensen.
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Maitri was a grateful beneficiary of the Academy of Friends 2017 Oscar Gala. Academy of Friends gave Maitri $8,100, on May 18th, and total cumulative of $217,000 since 1997. Thank you to the Academy of Friends for selecting Maitri as a beneficiary and to all the volunteers for all their hard work on behalf of Maitri at this wonderful gala.
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BLISS 2017 (30th Year Anniversary)
As a result of the sponsors, supporters and donors, Bliss 2017 (held the first of May) as Maitri's most successful fundraiser in our 30-year history. We raised $175,000 (net of all costs) to benefit our resident programs and facility. Comedian Marga Gomez hosted the event and performances by Lawrence Beamen, Dale Johannes, Man Dance Ballet Company and Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF highlighted a wonderful show. Board Member Jill Stockwell was the Development Chair and the event was held at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio. Bliss 2017 was our 30th year anniversary and the atmosphere was full of love, as always. Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsors: The Dorian Fund and CPMC/Sutter Health.
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Bliss 2017 Gala at Golden Gate Club at the Presidio |
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Performer Lawrence Beamen and Special Guest Sheryl Lee Ralph of the Diva Foundation
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Comedian Marga Gomez, Performer Lawrence Beamen and Auctioneer Dale Johannes visits Maitri and Shows Love to the Residents and Staff
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Michael Sorensen, Marga Gomez, Lawrence Beamen, Dale Johannes
and Sengchan Johannes
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Chef James Schenk of Destinos hosted the pre-gala dinner after the Maitri tour. A special thank you to Marga, Lawrence and Dale for making our 30th year anniversary the best gala ever.
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Pre-Gala dinner at Destinos
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Volunteer Update
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Volunteers Rishi Raje, Ray Lapointe, Joaquin Castillo Arana, Mark Silva and Madeleine Mulderrig
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Maitri would like to welcome new volunteers to the Maitri family. Volunteers are at the heart and soul of Maitri. We are so thankful for volunteers that assist our residents and bring cheer to our community.
Volunteers help with all facets of life at Maitri, including taking residents on outings and to medical appointments, sitting with ill or dying residents, helping with administrative projects or fundraising events, and volunteering in our community garden.
Please consider becoming more deeply engaged with Maitri as a volunteer.
Our next training weekend for new volunteers is August 18-20. For more information about volunteering, or to get started sooner, please contact
Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, Madeleine Mulderrig, [email protected] or (415)558-3004.
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