Letter from the President
01/06/2021
Dear Chestnut Group,
New Year Greetings and best wishes for a truly different year!
It is my privilege and honor to serve as the next President of The Chestnut Group. Following in the footsteps of our very dedicated past President, Sheryl Waugh, it is my goal to continue to support, promote and explore new opportunities for this incredibly talented organization. I have personally been a member for 12 years and credit this group of talented and generous artists with my own growth and shared dedication to the preservation of our wild spaces and historical properties in Middle Tennessee.
This year has been extremely challenging for all of us and especially our Partners. Despite these challenges, I have personally witnessed your dedication and volunteer spirit as you showed up to paint outs with mask covered faces ready to paint. Donating paintings for the tornado relief online auction and supporting the group through PYHO 2020 and the Nashville Tree Conservation Corps Show are just a few examples of your generosity and can do spirit even during a pandemic.
Along with this year of challenges, the board has had to take hard steps to ensure the solvency and future of our group. These steps were thoroughly and with great care, made to move us forward with ever-changing technology, social media skills and the increasing need for a robust and evolving website. Due to these pressing needs a new job description for an Operations Coordinator was developed. Rachel Blair, who has served as the Executive Director since the positions inception, did not feel that she could carry the new job tasks. With heavy hearts, we accepted her choice to step down.
We owe Rachel an enormous note of gratitude for all she accomplished for the Chestnuts.
The board carefully drafted the new job description and following in-depth interviews we are excited to announce we have contracted with Suzannah Green with Greentree Consulting as our Operations Coordinator.
Suzannah has worked as a strategic marketing and communications professional more than 20 years. It is our belief that she will work with our volunteers and partners providing in-depth expertise and support.
I am also very pleased to announce that Dale Finley will serve as Vice President for 2021. Please join me in thanking him for stepping up to support us and move forward to President in 2022!
Looking ahead to 2021, I am excited to share with you that we will have two shows. The new partnership we started last year with FRIENDS OF FRANKLIN PARKS will continue as planned for a show in August. Also, our old friend is returning in RADNOR LAKE with a show scheduled in November. Both partners are ready for us to get out and paint the seasons.
So many of you have given of your time and talents toward the cause of this amazing group. I sincerely hope you will continue to bring your unique skills and artistic spirit together as only The Chestnut Group can!
Kindest regards,
Karen Philpott
President, The Chestnut Group
