To the editors:
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With the arrival of the new professional Executive Director of the YWCA, Helen Wronski, this past spring there were additional changes in job structures and in new positions. In response to the crisis line volunteers’ need to have a staff person available on a regular basis, a Crisis Line Supervisor was hired. In response to the need of the Shelter Director and staff to provide an orderly environment for the residents, a House Coordinator was hired to solely be in charge of supervising cooking and cleaning, ordering supplies and generally seeing that the physical plant was running smoothly. Both of these professionals were a welcome addition!
Logistically some of our staff offices were relocated throughout the building, and the Shelter director was given a private office in order to provide working space that was quieter, less congested and more conducive to work. Telephones moved with offices. There really was no evil plot to separate volunteers from talking to staff and residents! There was simply the intention on the part of the Executive Director to create better working areas for staff in order to better serve the residents. Yes, the atmosphere is different. It is quieter and less congested. Staff members are busy in their various spaces doing their work–as it should be. Correspondence was sent to volunteers by the Executive Director as changes were being made. (As a professional executive, she did not, however, ask the volunteers to vote on all of her decisions.)
Carolyn Kambich
