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We are pleased to announce the addition of Joseph Luther to our staff as Program Director. In that capacity, he will be responsible for preparation and procurement of corporate, governmental, and foundation grants, marketing the organization, and program management.
Joseph joined our staff on May 12 and has already won the hearts of all who have met him. Previous to being interviewed for the position, he volunteered to load containers for the last shipment, so he has seen the physical labor, cooperative effort, and volunteer aspect first hand.
Joseph wrote the article "A Continuum of Change," which appears in this issue of the newsletter, with no previous history or knowledge of the organization. Joseph researched W/NP to capture the essence of the organization, its history, its programs, the challenges, and the collaborative efforts. We think he did a marvelous job especially considering the time allotted. Joseph came to us highly recommended and we are already convinced that everything we heard was true.
"Since I was first warmly welcomed into the offices of W/NP recently, I have been both taken aback and energized by the scope and depth of the work that the people here tirelessly pursue. I'm looking forward to tapping into my individual strengths in order to contribute to an organization that has already done so much.
"Born in Eau Claire and raised in Madison, my interest in Central America was first sparked at the age of eighteen during a six month stint in Honduras through an American Field Society exchange. An experience like that opens your eyes and things never look quite the same again. Upon returning, I was lucky enough to begin my college career with advanced level Spanish classes, thanks to my total immersion in the language in Honduras. Two years off from college after my sophomore year took me into the non-profit arena where I gained valuable experience and insight working for a habitat conservation foundation in southern Wisconsin.
"Degrees in Conservation Biology and English from UW Stevens Point provided the background to begin a freelance technical writing business based out of Stevens Point. Though successful for me, I could never have expected the rewards and challenges that W/NP has to offer.
"While there is much to learn, I'm anxious to get started: to make W/NP's pursuits my pursuits, to make its goals my goals, to make its commitments my commitments, and to continue to cultivate new relationships and bonds both locally and internationally."
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