BOARD & STAFF
The decision making process of Be Present, Inc. reflects our vision, mission and core values. In order to be on the Be Present National Board of Directors, a person must be in a support group that identifies itself as using the Be Present Empowerment Model® and have at least one year of experience using the Be Present Empowerment Model® in a collective decision making process in venues approved by the Be Present Board of Directors.
Community members interested in supporting the vision and mission of Be Present, Inc. are invited to join one or more standing board committees. These committees serve to train and orient future board members as well as to build individual and organizational capacity.
BOARD COMMITTEES
- Vision-Based Social Change Fundraising Committee – Be Present, Inc.’s core fundraising principle is that all people from all backgrounds are investors in and benefit from the work of social justice. We believe that collaborative learning and transformative leadership is what leads to sustainable fundraising. In 2003 Be Present, Inc. launched the Be Present Vision-Based Social Change Fundraising Team, a partnership between Be Present, Inc. community leaders (staff, Board of Directors, and Regional Organizing Core Groups members) and individuals with financial wealth known as the Capacity Building Campaign Team. This team uses the Be Present Empowerment Model® to examine the dynamics of race, class, gender and power dynamics that have an impact on their fundraising and giving practices while simultaneously raising funds for the organization. Responsibilities include increasing the visibility of Be Present, Inc. and expanding its donor base; creating and implementing strategies for raising resources/funds; building relationships using the Be Present Empowerment Model with individual and institutional (foundations and corporations) donors; and overseeing donor systems and stewardship. Contact LaVerne Robinson at if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Budget and Finance Committee – Reviews budgets; sets policy and practices for managing the organization’s finances; recommends financial guidelines to the board to ensure compliance with IRS and other regulatory bodies. Contact Margherita Vacchiano if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Communications Committee – Develops and implements communication strategies that increase understanding of the vision and mission of Be Present, Inc. to internal and external constituents. Contact Arianna Robinson if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Information Technology Committee – Monitors information technology trends and advises the Board and all committees on the impact of those trends on their plans and activities; undertakes projects that apply information technology to the operations of Be Present, Inc. and for the betterment of leadership development services. Contact RaShaunda Allen if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Program and Evaluation Committee – Oversees program development; monitors and evaluates existing programs. Initiates and guides program evaluation and facilitates discussions about program priorities for the organization. Contact Annie Tobias if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Board Development Committee – Prepares priorities for board composition; meets with prospective board members and recommends candidates to the board; suggests individuals for committee membership. Contact Noa Mohlabane if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Human Resources Committee – Oversees strategic management, workforce planning and employment, human resources development; total rewards, employee relations and risk management in partnership with executive staff. Contact RaShaunda Allen if you are interested in joining this committee.
- Historical Records Committee – Oversees the identifying, organizing, storing and transferring of records (files, publications and photographs) that tell the history of Be Present, Inc., our network and staff, as well as activities and achievements to the Sophia Smith Collection, the women’s history archives at Smith College. Contact RaShaunda Allen if you are interested in joining this committee.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Robert Holzman, MD Professor of Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Fellow, Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of Treasurer, Infectious Diseases Society of New York, 2003 – present New York City Mayor’s External Advisory Task Force on Bioterrorism Preparedness, 1997-2000 |
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Nasrah Smith, Secretary Member, Founding Member, International Alliance of Mother’s and Midwives, Inc.Founding Member,Childbirth providers of African DescentFounding Member and Health Advocator, Sisters Action Team, IncMember, International Center for Traditional Childbearing, Inc. Member, Black Woman’s Wellness Center, Inc. – Consortium Member, State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas Health Committee Served on House Resolution 1341 Midwifery Study Committee Case Manager, Public Safety Deputy, Public Safety Neighborhood Deputy Program Planning
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Kathleen Lillis, Assistant Treasurer Stone Mountain, GA
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Esther Campos Santa Cruz, CA
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Medea Pluim Oakland, CA
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Carletta Joy Walker New York, NY
Middle School Planning and Implementation Team Member, New York City Department of Education: The Academy of Collaborative Education |
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BOARD BUDDIES (BOARD SUCCESSION)
The National Board of Directors has an established Board Buddy System – a mentoring and succession program in which past members make a commitment to support the leadership development of current and future board members. Specific responsibilities include making a one-year commitment to attend and offer expertise at board meetings, participating in planning meetings, as well as coaching and mentoring new and potential board members. They also continue to actively participate on standing and ad hoc committees in the design and implementation of strategic action plans.
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Noa Mohlabane, Co-Chair Oakland, CA Communications Coordinator and Administrative Support, Harvest Time, Half Moon Bay, CA Independent Consultant Member, Bay Area Sisters & Allies Leadership Project, Regional Organizing Core Group Communications Coordinator and Administrative Support, Harvest Time 30 years experience in child-care, schools, summer camps with infants through teens 20 years experience in Early Childhood Education, Parent Education, Teacher Training M.A., Human Development, Specialization Parent/Community Work Community College Teaching Credential |
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Clare Holzman, Secretary
Clinical psychologist, independent practice as a feminist therapist in New York City Member, American Psychological Association |
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Rachel Pamelita Lowe, Teen Advisor
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CAPACITY BUILDING CAMPAIGN TEAM
Capacity Building Campaign Team members are individuals who self define as financially wealthy and commit to raising funds for Be Present, Inc. while simultaneously examining the dynamics of race, class, gender and power that influence their fundraising and giving practices. The Team’s guiding principle is that philanthropy’s success is measured not only by where money is given, but also the process by which it is given.
Be Present, Inc. staff and Board of Directors support the Team to learn and use the Be Present Empowerment Model® to strengthen relationships and deepen leadership capabilities. Together with other Be Present Vision-Based Social Change Fundraising Team members, we partner to transform philanthropy through creating new knowledge grounded in a community of practice.
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Capacity Building Campaign Team Buddy
“No more segregation between funders and funded! This collaborative fundraising team shares not only money but also thoughts, expectations, fears, prejudices successes and dreams. Through our commitment to each other, and by staying with the knowing of each person’s heart, we allow ignorant, fantastical, hopeless and hopeful thoughts to be aired in a container of trust and respect. We each grow from what emerges. Join us in this exciting and imperative journey!” |
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Capacity Building Campaign Team Buddy
Cate has spent the past 7 years working in and furthering her education about the non-profit and funding sector. Her focus is on social change, philanthropic dynamics, alternative financial systems and socially conscious investing. Currently, Cate is Co-Director of Kindle Project, which supports individuals and organizations working on healthy systemic change. Cate has completed two Be Present 18-month facilitation trainings and has been a member of the Capacity Building Team for 4 years. Cate co-founded Seeds of Justice, a fund directed by community leaders to support individuals and organizations working at the meeting point of internal, interpersonal and systemic transformation. Cate has worked closely with YES!, which connects, inspires and collaborates with young changemakers. Cate is also a talented musician and songwriter. |
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Capacity Building Campaign Team Buddy
I want to live in a world where equity and justice thrive. My involvement with Be Present has been key to my willingness to step up and out as a donor to the Women Moving Millions campaign. Be Present offers a self-awareness model and a way of communicating with others that enables me to reach across lines of race and class, to bridge differences of all kinds. Standing firm in that self-knowledge, increasingly I can build active and enduring personal relationships as well as lasting partnerships with social justice and nonprofit partners.” |
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Capacity Building Campaign Team Member and Co-Chair
“In this time when money fears and crises spread across our world, I am thrilled to be part of something that continues to grow into a radical new paradigm of working with money and funding. This team raises money and has the conversations too long held in the shadows about giving, fundraising, assumptions and fears. Many conversations, much insight, and powerful transformation are around the corner. I want to do this work with Be Present and mine the golden insights and learning that we can share with the social change movement at this critical moment in history.” |
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Capacity Building Campaign Team Member
Executive Director, Romemu (Synogogue) |
STAFF
Be Present, Inc. operates with a unique organizational web. Like a spider’s web, this web of inclusion is ever-evolving; constantly growing to meet the needs of the organization and the diverse individuals, organizations and communities with whom we partner. Agility, flexibility and creativity are core values. Ideas come from all partners, not just from the top down; and strength emerges from our interconnectedness. Capacity building in this light emphasizes cross-organizational work, constituency involvement and leadership merged with the values and principles that under gird the structure and operations of organizations.
Be Present, Inc. believes that each staff person is a partner and a leader with unique skills, knowledge, and abilities and that everyone has a personal responsibility to model a new way to act and work together. These values are transformed into practice by providing opportunities for all staff members to learn and demonstrate excellence in the Be Present Empowerment Model. The Be Present Peer Support Groups and the Regional Organizing Core Groups are two opportunities for experiential learning and practice in the Be Present, Inc. community. In addition, Be Present, Inc. provides structured ongoing training and development to support staff leadership.
CREATRIX of PLAY
The issue of generational change calls out for different frames and solutions that move us beyond the crisis view of leadership transition and towards creative strategies and structures that intentionally inspire and support young leaders. Guided by the core belief that fun, creativity and satisfaction inspire effectiveness, collaboration and sustainability, Be Present, Inc. broke new ground once again on January 1, 2009 when Lillie P. Allen, Founder and Executive Director transitioned to Creatrix of Play. This new staff position will transform the understanding, practice and development of leadership in the 21st century.
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Founder, Creatrix of Play (formerly known as Executive Director) and Lead Network Leadership Trainer, |
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Associate Director |
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Member, Atlanta Sisters & Allies Leadership Project, Member, International Special Events Society (ISES) |
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Former Member, Board of Directors, Be Present, Inc. |
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