Diana R. Sieger is the president of the Grand Rapids Commmunity Foundation. For more information, visit Diana's President's pages or view her biography.
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President's Point of View: Congratulations to Lynne and Marcia!
January 27, 2008
I have made some really bad, bad decisions both professionally and personally in my life! Some real clunkers! However, two of the best decisions I have made were to hire Lynne Black and Marcia Rapp back in 1988 in snowy and cold January.
I was alone back in 1987 for about four months prior to the board and I making the decision to bring people in to lead the charge in the areas of grantmaking and organizing our administrative operation along with the financial underpinnings. Frankly I was also lonely!
Lynne Black, VP, Finance, has been the person managing the financial aspects back when the Foundation’s assets were $35 million to where they are today at close to $250 million! Understandably staffing has increased and Lynne has had the ability to manage that process as well. When thinking about where technology for office systems was 20 years ago, know that we have all gone through at least a century of change in that area in just this relatively short period of time! When we walked in the Foundation, there was a large - and I mean large - word processing machine and one copy machine. We have gone from those inauspicious beginnings to very quickly moving to PCs and now handheld devices to well … who knows what is next! Not to mention the software advances! Lynne has carefully guided us in all these things and is now in charge of the planning of our move to our “new to us” building. She does all of this and then some with patience and tremendous wisdom. Thank you Lynne for your intelligence, your perseverance, your “we can do this” positive attitude, your laugh, and your exceptional kindness.
Marcia Rapp, VP, Programs, manages and leads our grantmaking processes, community initiatives and the elusive area known as “community leadership” which is what our field of community foundations is calling anything related to embracing change and addressing key issues in our area. We have been doing this long before the field gave it a name. Marcia is one of the fairest people I know which is critical in her role and she is ten times smarter than I ever can dream of being. Her knowledge of community needs and resources along with the people involved in our area’s nonprofit organizations is unmatched. However, one thing that people may not know about her is that she is our in-house humorist! The secret is now out Marcia! She has built a great team of staff as Lynne has and is outstanding in every way. Both Lynne and Marcia keep me grounded! Thank you Marcia for your tenacity, your wisdom, your seemingly quiet demeanor that many have made the mistake of misjudging, your extraordinary sense of humor and your warmth.
To Lynne and Marcia I say - I owe you both a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you both for your 20 years of making this community foundation the best that it can be! Most importantly, thank you for being such great friends.
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Comments
Marcia and Lynne,
Congratulations on 20 years of exceptional work at the GRCF. I have had the pleasure of knowing both of you dating back to your United Way days before your joining the GRCF. It is your dedication to this community that shines through in the great work you do at the GRCF. Congratulations! Marcie
Posted by: Marcie | January 28, 2008 8:58 AM
Congratulations Marcia and Lynne on 20 years of exceptional work! You are such community gems. It has been a pleasure working with you and an honor to call you friend. Thank you for everything you do for the community.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy Jackson | January 29, 2008 9:08 AM
What a great article! I've been so lucky to have been Marcia's assistant for the past 5 1/2 years. She has taught me so many things about our community, philanthropy, and of course how to have fun at the same time! I've also have had the opportunity to work for Lynne for almost 2 years now....and she has also taught me many things. I'm honored to have been mentored by both of them and to say they are my "boss". Happy 20th Anniversary Marcia & Lynne! Your co-worker, assistant and friend- Ann
Posted by: Ann Puckett | January 27, 2008 6:11 PM