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The Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc. staff said goodbye to another friend since we last met. Sharon McLaughlin, W/NP Office Manager and official number cruncher, court jester, and head of the small miracles committee since July of 2002, logged on for Partners for the last time on July 29.
Sharon brought her considerable organizational and communication skills to the block. Her contributions during her year with us were varied and lasting. Upon her departure, the day to day operations of W/NP are a more streamlined and efficient version of their pre-Sharon self, which is vital to the health of a lightly staffed, highly active office such as that of the Wisconsin chapter of Partners. Her adaptation and utilization of the W/NP database alone qualifies her as a recipient of the "golden mouse" award for the shrewd use of office resources.
Sharon flourished in W/NP relations both internal and external. Her open and animated approach to her work made everyone who came in contact with her feel welcome and valued whether they were a Partners new member, old veteran, or student intern. She treated every request made of her as important and worthy of her time while breathing life into the office with her slapstick energy.
Sharon has since relocated to the Appleton area with her husband, Ed McLaughlin, where she has accepted a position as Business Manager for the First Assembly of God Church. Before departing, she said of W/NP: "It changes you. It really does. You can’t meet these people and be involved in this kind of work without it changing forever how you see things." Sharon hopes to continue to be active in the Las Lagunas Partnership from her new home for years to come. We will miss her.
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