An update on our Executive Director search and other important news we want to share.
Announcement from Pathways to Promise 04/26/23
Update on Pathways Executive Director Search
For most of our history, Pathways has been led either by volunteers or paid consultants. Through a discernment process last fall, the board decided that we needed to enter a new chapter by taking on paid staff to lead us. After our previous Executive Director/Lead Consultant Rev. Jermine Alberty resigned in January, the Pathways board began an extensive search. With nearly 70 well-qualified people sending their resumes from all over the United States, the board was privileged to have the assistance of Strategic Impact Coach Bud Browne as executive recruiter. The board will interview a highly qualified candidate later this week. Board President, Rev. Mark Stephenson, has served as Pathways Volunteer Interim Executive Director since Rev. Alberty’s departure at the end of January.
Pathways Board Hires Director of Operations
Pathways' board has hired a Director of Operations, Annette Miller. Annette is our new contact for Pathways including The Companionship Movement. Annette’s responsibilities include Operations, Programs, Human Resources, IT, and Marketing plus supporting various administrative functions. She has a background in supporting small business startups, serving as an operations consultant, and has a heart for mental wellness.
Pathways Consultants Update
Several Pathways consultants have served Pathways well and are transitioning out of their roles with Pathways as Annette Miller begins her new job. Their last day is noted in parentheses. The Pathways board expresses its gratitude to these individuals:
Jessica Dexter (April 30) has consulted with Pathways for most of the past six years. In her early years she worked closely with Rev. Alberty in creating the Companionship curriculum based on the work of Rev. Craig Rennebohm, and Jessica has served as a National Trainer for Companionship Workshop Instructors. In recent years, Jessica has coordinated our work in Mental Health Ministries, which was founded by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder. Jessica will continue as a certified Companionship Instructor.
Linda Milan (April 30) has provided administrative support to The Companionship Movement which included National Trainer apprentice. She continues as a certified Companionship Instructor.
Linda Thomas (March 20) has supported the administration of our Pathways programs by responding to emails, setting up appointments for the Lead Consultant, mailing training materials to training participants, as well as providing support for the bi-monthly Engage, Learn & Connect forums.
Susan Houston (January 31) has provided bookkeeping services for Pathways for the last six years.
Rev. Robin Sandbothe, who has been serving as Pathways' Communications Associate for the past three years, will continue in that role. In addition to providing editorial support for the Mental Health Ministries Spotlight newsletter, she manages the Pathways to Promise and Mental Health Ministries Facebook pages, as well as providing support for other communication needs for the organization.
Pathways Board Decides to Pilot Affiliate Model
At the April 17 Pathways Board meeting, the Pathways board approved a draft Affiliate Operating Policies and Procedures Handbook. Affiliates will be extensions of Pathways to Promise with its national identity and scope, and will extend the work of Pathways in their regions.
April Training Events
Through all the transition, the work of Pathways to Promise and The Companionship Movement continue to thrive. This month, nine attendees received training in our online “Become a Companion” workshop, and four people received certification as Companionship Workshops Instructors. We also certified two new National Trainers: Robert Skrocki and Amy McNicholas.
