The Carver

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Celebrating Excellence and Community Spirit: Highlights from The Carver's Annual Board of Directors Meeting

L-R: Mayor Rilling, Board President Phil Butterfield, CEO Novelette Peterkin, and Board Secretary Valerie Watson

The Carver, a beacon of education and community engagement, recently hosted its much-anticipated Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. Here is a copy of the Annual Meeting Report.

The event, held yesterday evening, brought together an impressive array of attendees, including Mayor Rilling, past board members, dedicated parents, enthusiastic students, committed staff, and passionate volunteers.

One of the evening's standout moments was the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Award to Maximillian “Max” Lu. Max, the youngest United States Chess Federation member to attain a master rating, has been instrumental in teaching the intricate game of chess to Carver's K-5 students through the CASPER program.

L-R: Volunteer Max Lu, CEO Novelette Peterkin, and Board Member Kenneth Shuler

The honor bestowed upon Max symbolizes The Carver's commitment to recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions to its mission of providing quality education and fostering community engagement. Max's dedication to enriching the lives of young learners through chess exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that The Carver holds dear.

Adding a personal touch to the meeting, Carver high school student Ryan Russell delivered the Program Report, sharing his experiences at The Carver. Here is Russell’s written report from the 2023 Spring College Tour. Russell's insights provided a unique perspective on The Carver's impact on the lives of its students, emphasizing the organization's effectiveness in creating a positive and nurturing environment for learning and personal growth.

Board President Phil Butterfield

The Annual Meeting is a crucial event for The Carver, allowing the organization to reconstitute its Board of Directors. This gathering provided an opportunity to review the progress made over the past year towards achieving The Carver's mission. The event also marked the declaration of goals and progress for the current fiscal year, reinforcing The Carver's commitment to continuous improvement.

In preparation for the public meeting, The Carver meticulously reviewed various plans and policies, including those related to board of directors onboarding procedures and training, bylaws, diversity and inclusion, fundraising strategies, governance, human resources, insurance, legal compliance, record retention, safety protocols, strategic planning, technology, and volunteer management. This thorough examination underscores The Carver's dedication to maintaining high standards of operation and governance.

Carver President Emeritus Charles Burns and CEO Novelette Peterkin

Despite the formalities of the meeting, the atmosphere remained festive, with refreshments provided afterward. This allowed old and new friends of The Carver to come together, fostering a sense of community and providing a platform for sharing stories and celebrating achievements.

As The Carver continues to evolve and grow, events like the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors testify to its unwavering commitment to excellence, community spirit, and the transformative power of education.