Dear Colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce that the Volunteer Executive at its March 6^th meeting elected Ann Wilcox and Debbie Kennedy as co-Presidents of the Volunteer Executive. This new role will be effective June 13, 2014 (revised date).

Both Ann and Debbie have been volunteers at the AGO for many years as School Guides and Daytime Gallery Guides. They have served on the Volunteer Executive and acted as chairs on its subcommittees as well as co-chairs of the National Docent Symposium in 2009. I am confident that both Ann and Debbie will provide our volunteers with strong leadership and I look forward to working with them in the coming years.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our current Volunteer President, Phyllis Couzin, for her years of service to the AGO. Phyllis has been the Volunteer President since July 2010 and has been at the Gallery since December 1998. Phyllis’ accomplishments during her term as Presidentinclude the development and implementation of the 2013 AGO Volunteer Strategic Plan, first-ever volunteer engagement surveyand creation of the Volunteer Alumni Group, Volunteers Connect program, and the Volunteer Blog.  Phyllis also facilitated inclusion of all volunteers in Gallery Guide content, redesign of the service recognition pins and opportunities for volunteer engagement and role development.

Phyllis will remain on the Volunteer Executive for one more year in the role of Past President, and shall continue in her role as Daytime Gallery Guide.

Sincerely,

Deb

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Deborah O’Leary

Director, Staff & Volunteer Resources