Star of Hope board member Susan Maly had been selected as one of the 2013 Judith O'Conner Scholars.

Star of Hope is proud to announce that board member Susan Maly has been selected as one of 15 national 2013 Judith O'Connor Scholars. The Judith O'Connor scholarships enable emerging nonprofit leaders to participate in the annual BoardSource Leadership Forum. The Forum, November 7-8, 2013, in Los Angeles, provides the Scholars with opportunities to advance their leadership skills, learn about progressive practices in good governance, and interact with nonprofit sector leaders from across the country. BoardSource is the leading national provider of resources related to exceptional nonprofit boards.

The Judith O'Connor Memorial Fund was created to honor the legacy of the late Judith O'Connor, former BoardSource president and chief executive officer. Judy firmly believed that citizens working together to address community issues are the very essence of a vibrant, democratic society. She was committed to strengthening the ability of the nonprofit sector to serve as a vehicle for engaging all citizens in civic life. Her passionate advocacy for building effective nonprofit boards touched nonprofit leaders around the world.

"We were pleased with the extremely competitive pool of applicants this year," said Anne Wallestad, BoardSource president and chief executive officer. "I know Judy would be honored to have her legacy live on through the outstanding achievements and backgrounds of this year's Scholars."

The BoardSource Leadership Forum is the only national conference focused on the impact of nonprofit boards and the unique role they play in advancing the public good. Every year, approximately 700 nonprofit leaders from around the world gather with an impressive array of experts to discuss the newest thinking and practices in nonprofit governance and solutions to current leadership issues.

Susan Maly, 31, was born at West Point, NY and grew up in Germany, Kansas, and Virginia. She is currently a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the United States Air Force Academy with a minor in German and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Susan served in the Air Force for six years as an aircraft maintenance officer and speech writer to generals and was stationed in Italy for two years, where she nurtured her love of travel, gelato, and brick oven pizza. She is actively involved in her community through Compass DC, a non-profit that provides strategic business consulting services to other non-profits in the local Washington D.C. area. Susan and her wonderful husband Greg were married in 2010, are part of a strong church community centered on Christ, and currently reside in Falls Church, Virginia.

The Star of Hope Board and staff extend a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks for serving.

CONTACT

Prof. Don Williams is a retired university professor of biology who has been a career-long educator both at the public secondary school level and in higher education. After graduation from Montrose High School, Montrose, CO in 1966, he attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS for his undergraduate degree in biology and education. During his 40+ years in teaching, he successfully earned his masters degree from Western State College, Gunnison, CO in 1978 and his Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) from Ball State University, Muncie, IN in 1998. He taught sciences, drivers' training, and coached at the secondary level at Hanston, KS for three years and Lyons, KS for 15 years from 1970-1988. His higher education experience included both Sterling College, Sterling, KS for 15 years and Park University, Parkville, MO for nine years until he retired in the summer of 2012. He still continues to teach and develop online biology classes for Park University on a part-time, adjunct basis.

Don and his wife, Jan, whom he married in 1968, will celebrate their 45th anniversary in 2013. They now live in Great Bend, KS to be close to their son Ryan Williams and daughter-in-law Sara, and their eight children. They attend Grace Community Church, help in the AWANA program, and are members of a short-term mission team going to Indonesia in April, 2013. Besides their son of Great Bend, they have three daughters, Pamela Williams who lives in Las Vegas, NV, Sarah Williams Loretto living in Pleasant Hill, CA with her husband Michael, and their third daughter, Amy Williams, who lives in Spangdahlem, GE.

The Star of Hope Board and staff welcome extend a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks.

Our page was hacked on the 25th and we are working on that issue and updating content, please bear with us. Unfortunately some of the mail and information functions will not be working.

Will You be in the Great Bend, Kansas Area, Sunday March 10? Reza will!

Sunday March 10th Star of Hope presents Reza live at the Crest Theater, downtown Great Bend. Reza is an illusionist, but don't expect rabbits being pulled out of hats. This show is electric and will dazzle. Suitable for all ages it is sure to be enjoyed by all.

The big plus? The children in Marigot, Haiti will benefit from this event! Their school is in danger of being closed due to lack of funding. Simply by buying a ticket and attending this event, you can help prevent that from happening.

Tickets are available now at Perks Coffee Shoppe, Everything Under the Son and the Star of Hope office in Ellinwood. Group rates are available, call (620) 564-3355 for more information or to order tickets over the phone.

Central Kansas has more than 12 inches of snow on the ground. The four men making up StarTeam13-01 will leave their homes and families at 3am Saturday for Haiti.

These men will work on the school builidngs in Jeanton, Haiti. While they are only gone for a week, they leave their families behind to give of their money, time and themselves. They bring such encouragement to the people of Jeanton and our Star of Hope Haiti staff.

They will become the gift!

Two more teams are scheduled for Haiti this year. They could use your help for materials they will use on their trips. Your gift will allow them accomplish more and reach more kids.