Grab a Chair and Celebrate Los Osos
The fundraiser to replace chairs at the Red Barn venue in Los Osos that Estero Bay News reported on last issue was a success.
With the help of community members, Celebrate Los Osos raised money to purchase the much-needed new tables last year and this year’s chair project rapidly saw 100 new chairs for folks to use who rent the location for wedding, reunions, family parties and more.
The chairs cost $4077.85 (including the tax). Everything went so smoothly the County Parks Department asked the non-profit to add three carts to hold/store the chairs to the goal.. They cost an additional $1072.49 and are in use now.
“County Parks staff under the direction locally of Supervising Ranger Lasca Gaylord have been over-the-top helpful to have the deliveries made to El Chorro Regional Park, assemble the carts and deliver everything to the Red Barn this past Thursday,” said Pandora Karner-Nash, CLO president. “The first event — a wedding — was scheduled. And while the guests may not realize there has been a huge change, we locals do. We all will be able to sit there and be silently and genuinely grateful to all who made this happen. Even though we were part of the process of raising the funds, ordering the chairs and posting about them, we really had absolutely no idea what the visual impact new chairs would be. Wow is the only thing we can say.”
To learn more about Celebrate Los Osos, go to celebratelososos.org
Poly’s New Senior VP for Administration and Finance
Cal Poly appointed Allison Baird-James as the university’s new senior vice president for administration and finance (A&F). She replaces Stan Nosek, who has served as interim vice president for A&F since April, and Cynthia Vizcaino Villa, who retired in March after more than eight years as Cal Poly’s senior vice president for the division.
Baird-James has spent 14 years at UCLA, most recently serving for two years as interim vice chancellor and chief financial officer. Additionally, she served for 12 years as associate vice chancellor for business and finance solutions at UCLA, overseeing financial management and reporting, treasury services, insurance and risk management, procurement and travel accounting, student accounting, payroll services, tax, and business operations & systems.
Prior to her work at UCLA, Ms. Baird-James spent 13 years at Stanford University, in a variety of university finance roles.
“Ms. Baird-James brings a wealth of experience and insight to this important role, as well as a track record of innovation and success, and I am pleased that she is joining the Cal Poly team,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.
Baird-James is a CSU alum, having earned a degree in business administration from Chico State. She is also a graduate of the executive program in management at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, and she completed the Leadership at Stanford Program. She has served on several governing boards including the UCLA Foundation and the UCLA Investment Company. She also is an inactive certified public accountant.
A&F is the steward of Cal Poly’s resources and comprises nine units (Audit, Cal Poly Corporation, Facilities Management and Development, Financial Services, Information Technology, Performing Arts Center, Public Safety, Strategic Business Services, and the vice president’s office and operations) that fulfill major operational roles for the university. A&F is responsible for oversight of the university’s enterprise-wide annual budget of $814 million and capital budget of over $1.5 billion.
Party for Rotary Past President
The Rotary Club of Morro Bay celebrated Dan Costley, the past president for 2023 – 2024. In his time as president, he awarded many for their contributions to the Club, but the party was all about his contributions to the service organization.
The Rotary Club wanted to give a special thank you to Jude Long, John Solu, Kim Cade and Chablis Cruises for a wonderful job on this “Step-Down” event—a night of recognition, and a lot of laughter. Pictured are Club members John Solu, Dan Costley and Jude Long. Photo by Kim Cade.
Succession Planning with Spokes
Spokes, an organization providing resources to support and empower the nonprofit community, offers Succession Planning: A Proactive Approach to Leadership Change on August 29.
The class, which includes a lunch from SLO Provisions, will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 3533 Empleo Street in San Luis Obispo. Advance registration is required and closes August 22.
Designed to provide nonprofit organizations with the proactive tools to sustain successful operations amidst leadership change, Succession Planning will address the importance of organizational assessment, succession planning and interim leadership.
The class is presented by Alisa Chatinsky, a consultant with decades of experience helping nonprofits identify their lifecycle stage, assets, areas of improvement, organizational goals, and the strategies to accomplish their objectives.
“Change is a constant, and we know nonprofits are certainly not immune,” said Chatinsky. “When an organization neglects to do the legwork to plan ahead for leadership change––especially when it occurs abruptly––it can cause dire disruption. This class will help you learn how to protect the health and future of your nonprofit.”
Cost for the class and a SLO Provisions lunch (multiple options provided) is $35 for Spokes members and $60 for nonmembers. For more information, and to register, visit https://bit.ly/SpokesSuccessionPlanning.
Woods Joins PACT
Woods Humane Society has committed to the tenets of PACT, People and Animals in Community Together, put forward by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA).
According to the AAWA, “PACT is a compassionate, transparent and thoughtful model of how shelters, rescues, and other animal welfare organizations can best support vulnerable animals.”
There are nine tenets of PACT that the organization says result in the best possible outcomes, and Woods Humane Society joins animal shelters across the country in officially committing to them.
Woods CEO Emily L’Heureux says, “We wholeheartedly agree with the PACT assertion that every community has a responsibility to its animals and should demand that animals receive the care and respect they deserve. Woods is proud to contribute to making San Luis Obispo County a socially conscious animal community by providing access to thoughtful animal welfare resources and services, and by officially making a ‘PACT’ to uphold these industry-approved best practices and philosophies in our shelters.”
The nine tenets of PACT include:
1. Ensure every unwanted or homeless pet has a safe place to go for care.
2. Place every healthy and safe animal.
3. Assess the medical and behavioral needs of homeless animals, and ensure these needs are thoughtfully addressed.
4. Alleviate suffering and make appropriate euthanasia decisions.
5. Align policy with the needs of the community.
6. Enhance the human-animal bond through thoughtful placements and post-adoption support.
7. Consider the health and wellness of each animal and community when transferring animals between communities.
8. Implement inclusive policies and practices.
9. Foster a culture of transparency, ethical decision making, mutual respect, continual learning, and collaboration.
PACT has been adopted by shelters and rescues across the United States, and it is also being considered in Australia. The AAWA recognizes that for PACT to truly be successful in a community, the tenets must also be embraced by veterinarians, law enforcement, community members and policymakers.
To read more about PACT, visit www.WoodsHumaneSociety.org/PACT.
Are you or a neighbor Taking Care of Business. Is your business, including non-profits, supporting our community? Maybe you’re launching a new business, or you’re making updates to your current business model, or re-opening. Perhaps you have a job opportunity, or have been doing some volunteer work, or are collaborating with another business or a non-profit. Or maybe you know someone who is. Submit your awesome local efforts for publication to Editor@EsteroBayNews.com.
