I am delighted to address you in this letter with inspiring updates and a renewed vision for our community. On July 16, our Board of Directors held its first meeting for the new board for the Fiscal Year 24–25, marking a significant step forward. During this meeting, we made the strategic decision to extend our monthly sessions from one hour to one and a half hours. This reflects our board's commitment to dedicating more time and effort to the growth and well-being of our Village.

In my previous message as the incoming president, I introduced the concept of a "lagniappe year." Lagniappe, meaning "a little bit more," perfectly encapsulates our ethos of going above and beyond. Our board's decision to extend meeting time is a testament to this spirit of giving a little extra. It signifies our willingness to do more for our community and to ensure we are always striving to exceed expectations.

Over the past few years, the Village has experienced remarkable success in pursuing our strategic plan. We have broadened our base of support and dramatically increased our membership. One of our aspirational goals was to reach a membership of 200 by 2025. When we set that goal, many thought it was overly ambitious, but we decided, in the spirit of the apothegm “a man’s reach should exceed his grasp,” that we should commit to this goal. I am thrilled to announce that we achieved this milestone in June 2024, a full year ahead of schedule. This accomplishment is a testament to our collective efforts and the strength of our community.

Our executive director has detailed many of our accomplishments in an impressive report available to all Villagers. I encourage you to read it and take pride in what we have achieved together. As we celebrate these successes, we must also reflect on our journey and the values that have guided us. Our previous president, Sue Kujawa, who was “present at the creation,” reminded us of these values in her outgoing letter. For 12 years, these values have been the foundation of the Village, and they remain crucial as we navigate our impressive growth.

The challenge before our new board is to manage the changes brought about by this growth while steadfastly maintaining our core values. It is heartening to hear from our new Villagers that they find the Village to be a welcoming environment. This feedback reassures us that we are on the right path. Our commitment for FY 24–25 is to uphold these values, ensuring that the Village remains a place where everyone feels at home.

Our spirit of giving and dedication has brought us to where we are today and will propel us into a bright future. Each of us plays a vital role in the Village’s ongoing story, and together we can achieve even greater heights.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. Let us continue to work together, think about what we can do to give a little bit more, and make the Village an even better place for all.

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