Board Member of the Month: Brooke Sullivan

Brooke, at our 2nd Annual Beer & Wine Tasting fundraiser (9-30-11)

RTS is excited to introduce Brooke Sullivan as our Board Member of the Month. "We are very lucky to have Brooke on our Board," said Executive Director, Margie Thirlby. "Brooke brings constant enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a great sense of humor to our Board (take Brooke's Verity Mom Cartwheel for a Cause video entry as one example). Brooke is an asset to our Finance Committee and has helped streamline our financial procedures over the years to create better, efficient systems for our office. She also is a great connector, constantly introducing new volunteers, donors, and businesses to RTS through her personal, academic, and professional networks. Most importantly, Brooke is a joy to be around and always ensures we'll have a good laugh at our Board meetings!"

Brooke with her husband, Matt Sullivan, at our Beer & Wine Tasting

Brooke with former Board President, Val Gorder

Brooke with Co-Project Manager and Board President, Arnie Mondloch, at their Gonzaga Alumni project for Spring Rebuilding Day (4-30-11)

Let's hear from Brooke!

1. How did you first get involved with RTS?
The Gonzaga Alumni Seattle Chapter was just starting and we wanted to do a service project to kick things off. We were assigned to a wonderful woman named Mary. She was 95 years old and lived with her son who had some disabilities which limited their ability to do some major projects around the house. Every time Mary did laundry her washer would empty into a big bucket and she would have to carry it out and dump it in the yard multiple times per load. Our group dug a trench and put in a drain so she did not have to do that. Needless to say, after that project, I was hooked. She was such a gracious woman and still stays in touch with some of our volunteers to this day (over 5 years later.) We continued to do a Spring rebuild Day every year and it has been a very rewarding and successful program for our alumni chapter!

2. What do you enjoy most about being a board member at RTS?
A couple things came to mind when I got this question. Without a doubt, the board and staff are the most passionate and hard working group I have every volunteered with. We also have a lot of fun! (Including recording short videos of cartwheels to try to make money for the organization...) Another aspect I love is the idea of skills based volunteerism. I love the idea that our board is diverse from experience in finance, real estate, volunteering, marketing, construction and so much more. Volunteering by using the skills we have from our day jobs really has shown to grow and improve the organization.

3. What are your hopes for RTS in the years to come?
I can't wait for more and more people to find out about the good work of the organization. I have been so impressed that in this economic environment our organization has continued to grow in fundraising dollars received (which is difficult in a recession!) and in number of homeowners served (which is so vital when so many people are struggling financially).

THANK YOU, BROOKE!