Treasurer's News
- Eileen Strider
One year ago I accepted the role of
Treasurer for Avanta. During this past year, I've enjoyed every minute of
working with Margarita and Louise. Hilda Richards, the previous Treasurer,
gave me her wisdom and I sought the expertise of Mark Eddingston, our UBS
account manager for over 10 years.
I've also used my personal experience as bookkeeper, banker and chief
worrywart for Strider & Cline, Inc., the consulting firm owned by my partner
Wayne Strider and me. I'm a consultant and come from the world of
information technology where I have been using Satir methods for over 15
years. I was unsure how I might fit in with the Board and how I might
contribute. The Board members welcomed me and together we are finding our
way through challenges and changes to bring Avanta to a financially stable
and sustainable place.
We have re-arranged our investments to better fit with our financial needs
this year as well as position us for next year. Your Board has committed to
live within our income and to operate with a balanced budget next year. In
order to operate in this way, we will not have a full-time Central Office
next year. We are very pleased that Louise Witt has agreed to continue her
administrative support on a part-time basis next year. In addition, each
Director will take on a portion of the work previously done by the Office.
You will indeed have a very hard-working Board. We have already begun
learning and planning how we will work together next year. It will take a
lot of care and work by the Board to meet our commitment next year.
For 2006, we have met our income goals from the Conference and the Book
Store and are very close to our goal for fund development. Please accept my
appreciation for each of you who attended the Conference, shopped at the
Book Store and contributed to the Auction and the Satir Wall of Peace and
Justice. Your support this year is positioning us to begin 2007 in sound
financial condition.
If you didn't make it to the Conference and the Book Store, please check out
our on-line Book Store for new products
http://www.avanta.net/BookStore/BookStore.htm. You will find the newly
published "Applications of the Satir Growth Model", edited by John Banmen,
which is a practical "how to" book and a good resource for anyone - student,
teacher and practitioner. We also have two new DVDs available. "Reflections,
An Oral History of Virginia Satir" by Jesse Carlock and "Jean Houston
Presentation at the Satir Conference." Jean Houston's DVD will be available for a
limited time.
I look forward to being your Treasurer for a second year with much hope for
Avanta and great enthusiasm for our mission in the world. If you have any
questions or just want to talk with me about Avanta's finances, please call
me at 816-746-8118 or email be at Treasurer@avanta.net.