BOARD PROFESSIONALS

An Introduction to the GCA Advisory Board

     For most nonprofit entities, an advisory board is an integral part of

 the organization.  These dedicated volunteers offer a valuable

 connection to the community, provide useful advice, serve as

 knowledgeable advocates and fundraisers.  The members of the

 Georgia Council for the Arts Advisory Board are an exceptional group

 of volunteers.  They are appointed by the Governor because of their

 expertise and devotion to the arts.  In fact, many are accomplished

 artists. 

     The GCA Advisory Board currently consists of twenty-five

 individuals representing the state’s  twelve congressional districts. 

 After a review of nominations, each is appointed by the Governor,

 including one individual who is appointed as Board Chair. 

    Kathleen Williams is the current Chair of the GCA Advisory Board.  Mrs. Williams has participated in several agency events including serving as a judge for the pilot year of Poetry Out Loud, participating in multiple Peer Review Panels and representing the Advisory Board at many arts events throughout the state.  “The arts organizations here in Georgia have created a strong

 community that is passionate about serving the citizens of this

 state," Williams acknowledged recently. " The staff of Georgia

 Council for the Arts is just as passionate about serving the needs of

 those organizations and I am proud to be a member of the Board.”   

     Additional members of the GCA Advisory Board include Ira Lynn

 Acuff, Sandra Bailey, Millie Bankston, Cay Dykes, Norma Edenfield,

 Linda Fulford, Shirley Guhl, Heather Heath, Gerald Ray Horne, Leeta

 McDougald, Debra Mundy, Marjorie Ann Newman, James Nord Jr.,

 Gloria Ragland, Kimberly Schussler, Elaine Trimble, and Richard S.

 White.  Recently, seven new members were appointed to the Board: 

 William Adler, Connie Averitt, Betty Ann Bell, Martha Bush, Warren

 King, Marie Nygren and Sheri Threlkeld.  GCA also recognizes the

 work of Board members who have recently retired:  Joy Jinks, Art

 Rosenbaum, Linda Summerlin and David Yu.

     As Executive Director of GCA, Susan Weiner works closely with

  the Advisory Board.  “We have an extremely active Board with whom

  I am pleased to work,”  she states.  “The Governor has provided this

  agency with a unique and well-accomplished group of arts

  professionals and patrons who understand the needs of the agency

  and of our clients.  I’m looking forward to working with the new

  members and am honored to have worked closely with the former

  members who completed their terms of service.”  

     Each issue of the GCA Newsletter will provide an introduction and  brief background on several members of the Board. Get to know the  professionals of the GCA Advisory Board and find out how they are  connected to your community.  

Photo, Above:  GCA Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Williams with Allen Bell, former Executive Director of the Rome Arts Council.  Bell recently accepted a position as Program Director - Contemporary Arts & New Initiatives  with the Southern Arts Federation, a regional arts organization.

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 More Newsletter Articles:

• One on One with the NEA:

           Local Federal Funding Available

• The Future of Fundraising: Nonprofits vs. the Economy
• Notes from the Field:  A Winning Strategy
• End Notes: Useful Information & Interesting Items