News from Dawn Walter
I am Dawn Walter, director of Citizens For Swimming. I feel like you’ve heard me describe this program in so many ways over the last 6 years, from the pulpit to the newsletter and everywhere in between! This time I’m taking a different tack, I’m recruiting you to be the next director. As I start my first year as USR Board VP, and as I continue to be the daughter of two 89-year-old, Midwest-based parents, I have decided to step down as Citizens for Swimming director after this summer’s program. (Which will be held at Graydon Pool on August 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22!)
And so, you should take my place. It is a 9-day program, that leaves 356 days to prepare. There are already tons of dedicated and capable volunteers. The program has been running continuously since 1968 – it practically runs itself at this point. Before I leave I am committed to finishing my efforts to organize, standardize, and proceduralize the program. That means I will leave documentation on how to do everything. Everything! I brought my energy, my ideas, and my areas of talent to the program for 6 years. The program needs your different ideas and talents. I am convinced that new leadership is a key to keeping this program vibrant and relevant.
There is a wonderful new director at our partner organization, CAMP YDP. She has many ideas for how Citizens can fit into her vision for CAMP’s future. You can get a tan while volunteering. (In my case it was more of a controlled burn.) There’s pizza. You don’t have to be there every day of the program. The job involves lawn chairs and sandy feet. The program is not strictly a USR program, many members of the wider Ridgewood community support Citizens. I will stay on as a volunteer and will be available to support the new director as much as possible. Finally, and most importantly, you will love the children. They are grateful and joyful and full of fun. All they want to do is spend some hot summer afternoons in the pool and learn how to swim. You can make that happen for them. Will you?
