A trio of dedicated TPC members is offering a match of up to $5,000, effective immediately. For each of you who renews between now and midnight on the evening of our Grants Award meeting on May 29, your renewal will trigger a $50 donation toward our mission-related and administrative expenses.

Because donations for this operational support are vital every year, please take these two steps:

• Renew Now!

• RSVP for the Grant Awards meeting (Remember that for the first time, you are invited to introduce TPC on this evening to as many friends and colleagues as you wish.)

Many thanks for taking immediate action and to this trio of TPC fans.

PS: New members, please watch your inbox tomorrow for an invitation to an orientation meeting coming your way in May.

Members occasionally ask how a woman can be considered for the Board. Answers follow!

Who becomes a Board member?
Board members are those who have a history of helping run TPC: they serve on or chair committees, host and run our Connect the Dots gatherings, lead and serve on grant teams, help fundraise, staff our Grant Awards meeting, and fill vital roles like being a Liaison and/or participating in Volunteer Days. Because we are volunteer-run with the exception of Alison, our part-time administrator, we look for women who have shown “historical willingness” to help run TPC. We seek women who do what they’ve committed to do with timely follow-through, who communicate well, and who work collaboratively to accomplish our mutually agreed upon goals.

What is the timing for Board selection and service?
In early fall, the Governance and Nominating Committee (GNC) asks the Board if there are specific skills and talents needed on the Board. At the Board’s annual meeting in November, it votes, per our by-laws, on officers (our President, Treasurer, and Clerk) for 1-year terms and for new Board members with terms starting January 1. Young Philanthropists serve for 2 years while members older than 35 serve for 3. Each is eligible for a second term with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Who provides recommendations?
The GNC solicits possible Board candidates from Committee Chairs and co-Chairs, the Board, and other TPC leaders. Each recommender submits a summary of her history with the candidate, including experience working together, and of the candidate’s skills and experience.

Presently, our by-laws do not cap the number of members on the Board, which is currently 14. The GNC prioritizes the recommendations, and speaks with each candidate about potential interest in a Board position. If the candidate is interested in serving, she is given our document, “Expectations of a TPC Board Member”, asked what skills she would be interested in contributing to the Board, and has her questions answered. This process continues until the number of desired Board seats is filled.

Want more details about TPC’s by-laws? They live on our member portal under the “Members Only” section.

Interested in volunteering immediately on a one-time basis? Please contact Ruth Isaacs, our Volunteer Coordinator: ruth@firstjobhelp.com.

Interested in volunteering on or supporting a Committee, or being a Liaison? Be sure to respond promptly to the member survey coming in June.

Interested in learning more about TPC’s current Board members? Bios of the 14 women can be found at the About Us section of our website.

Have questions about our Governance and Nominating Committee? Please contact Committee Chair, Caitlyn Clarke: caitlyn.a.clarke@gmail.com.

TPC liaisons (and Board members) Cathy Konicki and Sue Meehan interviewed Laurie (Duck) Caldwell, the Executive Director of the Boston Area Gleaners (BAG).

“Gleaning” is the act of collecting surplus crops from farmers’ fields, a practice that dates back to ancient times when landowners invited peasants onto their fields to glean after the main harvest was over. BAG has been practicing gleaning since 2004, with the help of groups of volunteers. These volunteers make trips to local farms where they harvest high-quality fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. The organization then distributes this nutritious produce to food banks, food pantries, and other agencies serving families facing food insecurity. BAG is seeking to build a sustainable supply chain of healthy produce from local farms to people in need.

Continue interview with Laurie (Duck) Caldwell