Director resigns, changes afoot for Silverton Together

By Kristine Thomas

The resignation of Silverton Together’s director has led to the cancellation of August’s annual Celebrate Families Picnic.

Director O.B. Bergin, who announced earlier this month her last day would be July 25, is leaving to pursue “other professional opportunities.”

Her departure, she said, comes at the time staff members normally would be making arrangements for the picnic. The two remaining staff members didn’t feel they could plan the picnic plus complete other projects – including the Apple Tree Supply Drive which puts school supplies into the hands of students in need – while a new director was being recruited or just starting, Bergin said.

The board has announced the job opening on its website and aims to have it filled soon as possible.

Board President Steve Kuhn said the board accepted Bergin’s resignation with “regret and sadness as she has done an admirable job as manager.”

Although Silverton Together is essentially a volunteer organization, the board relies on the manager and staff to organize the various events and services, coordinate with other community organizations, and provide accountability to donors, Kuhn said.

At a board meeting, those in attendance reluctantly agreed with Bergin’s recommendation that it would not be feasible for Silverton Together to host the picnic this year, Kuhn said.

“With our need to focus on our core responsibilities of parenting education and support, and mentoring and community connector programs, we didn’t feel that we could, during this transitional time, put on a high-quality event as we have in the past with our partner organizations,” Kuhn said.

He praised Bergin for her “exceptional management skills.”

“Thanks to O.B., her successor will step into an organization that is well-organized and effectively carrying out our many wonderful services and supports we provide to the community,” Kuhn said.

Board member Judy Schmidt said the picnic is well received by the community and understands some people may be disappointed. She encouraged community members or nonprofit organizations who would like to see the picnic continue to take the lead role in organizing it this year.

“Silverton Together would still like to be involved,” Schmidt said. “It’s just we can’t be the ones organizing it now.” Kuhn said he would like to see the picnic continue next year.

“The Community Picnic is a good event that brings people together in a fun way,” he said.

Change presents opportunities to look at things in a new way, Bergin said.

In its parenting classes, Bergin said parents are taught to be proactive and plan for the future. Essentially, she said, the board is adhering to that same philosophy by looking at its resources and what it is able to do.

“Silverton Together plans to be here in the long run,” Bergin said. “We are looking at long-term stability for the organization.”

One task Bergin has done for the organization is to help plan its financial future. The budget is currently $225,000, with $100,000 being from a Drug Free Communities grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The five-year grant – which has been awarded to Silverton Together twice – expires Sept. 30, 2009.

With Bergin’s assistance, the board has been working since last fall on a plan to bring in revenue to offset the retiring of the grant.

“Realizing we are having changes in our funding down the road, we are looking at how to strategically place ourselves so we can continue the work we do,” she said.
Bergin and Schmidt both invited input from the community.

“We can’t make good choices without feedback,” Schmidt said. “We are always seeking input and trying to be responsive to the community.”