During a very trying period of my life, I had been out of work for about 6 months, I began searching for a way to keep active intellectually and socially outside of my usual job hunting activities like networking and interviewing while giving back to the community I call home. I came across The Center for Arts in Natick and thought that this might be the type of organization for which there might be mutual beneficial gains. You were gracious enough to take me out for lunch and chat with me to see what type of fit there was and what types of abilities I have that could be utilized by TCAN. The results of such a simple lunch have far exceeded any of my expectations.

The friends I've made in you, Marsha, and Cheryl are friendships that have grown into relationships that will last forever simply from a love for the arts. These relationships were built on the trust we have in one another, respect for others, and most important the drive and motivation to work tirelessly at something with pure passion regardless of the number of hours and without taking into account the type of financial gains that could be made if that effort was focussed elsewhere.

I'm writing this as I have no doubt that all the volunteers, many of the TCAN members, and much of the Greater MetwroWest Community feel as I do, the three of you ARE the Heart and Soul of TCAN. I've been involved in many organizations over the years, whether businesses I've worked for, as a member of a non-profit/social organization, or as a member of their staff, and rarely have I seen a leadership team that can infuse the people working for them (whether paid or not) to want to work as hard as the TCAN volunteers, not because they have to, but because they want to thanks to the compassion and empathy you've shared with the volunteers, and will and determination they see in you to make TCAN a success.

I have no doubt that should anything ever occur to disrupt the current organizational structure, it would be a devastating blow to TCAN. I would be at the head of pack as all the volunteers quit the organization. The sense of community that's developed would be shattered. And lastly, TCAN would be hard pressed at best to find replacements for a group of three people that accomplish what should be the work of ten.

I hope there is never a need for me to leave an organization that I am so beholden to not because of the organization but because of the people.

Your friend always,
Joe