The annual meeting of the CARE for Children board of directors was held Thursday evening at the Bradford Club.

During a special presentation, Norm Strotman, board president-elect, announced that CARE is a recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ Seal of Excellence for successfully completing their rigorous Standards for Excellence® accreditation program.  

“The board of directors and organizational leadership recognize the value of the accreditation as the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ in the nonprofit sector but beyond that — it is an incredible internal yardstick to measure the health and effectiveness of the organization,” said Strotman. “The adoption of best practices advances a framework for organizational relevance and accountability — for management, fundraising and board governance; and provides a strong foundation for the delivery of CARE for Children’s mission of improving the lives of children of all abilities.”

CARE for Children has been accredited through the Standards for Excellence program since 2002. This summer CARE submitted its third application for re-accreditation. A review by a jury of non-profit peers and the staff at PANO concluded that CARE complied with all 67 standards and has again been awarded the Seal of Excellence as a visible symbol of a well-managed, responsibly governed organization.

Also at the meeting, the CARE board honored fellow board members Karen Gelston, Mick Marshall, and Joseph Yaros with the organization’s 2017 Community CARE Awards. Tina Martin, executive director, presented the three awards.

“The board chose to honor Karen, Mick, and Joe in recognition of their outstanding volunteerism, leadership and contributions to the organization throughout the planning, construction, capital campaign, and completion of the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center,” said Martin. “Each of these honorees have provided outstanding leadership for CARE and we appreciate all they have done, and continue to do, to strengthen CARE for Children as an organization.”

During the meeting, CARE Board President Karen Gelston, provided a review of CARE’s 2016-2017 fiscal year highlighting the organization’s establishment of formal vision and value statements, the ongoing success of the annual fund campaign, and the board’s adoption of a long-term sustainability plan.

Gelston also recognized the new slate of officers including Strotman, Tyler Hannah, vice-president-elect; Yaros, treasurer; and Thomas E. Ball, secretary who will begin two-year terms as board officers, beginning in January.

The CARE board recognized Alexis Close, M.Ed. for reaching five years of service at the organization. During her tenure at CARE, Close has worked as a preschool teacher and birth to three special instructor. Kimberly Engstrom, M.Ed., preschool director, presented Close with her milestone service award.