HIPPY USA Moves

Gayle Hart speaking at the South/West Regional Conference in Dallas

April 2007

Our national office is closing down for the move to Little Rock. I got this email from Gayle Hart, who is the only person making the move from NY to Little Rock with HIPPY. I wish them all the very best in their new endeavors, and welcome Gayle to the neighborhood...Little Rock is after all a half day drive or 1 hour flight away...

Good Morning,

I am here waiting for the arrival of the movers and wanted to take this opportunity to send the last email from the NY office. Yesterday, Diane sent an email to the Board members and talked of turning off the lights and mixed emotions. While last night, Jen, Danette and I turned off the lights at 11 pm after a bustling day of packing; making copies literally as the docutrend movers were removing their property; faxing on a fax that decided it was mad at us and stopped receiving; and laughing with one another. Nicole had responsibilities with her new position and couldn’t join us, but she was here in spirit. Merle was with us until late in the day and even Gloria Carney stopped by to give me some last minute training on the fiscal system! HIPPY’s are HIPPY’s until the end….and beyond! J

Yesterday was a microcosm of the time that I have had here with HIPPY. There have been so many wonderful relationships and excellent staff – HIPPY has been very fortunate to truly have some of the brightest and best at its disposal. And, the staff this past fiscal year – including those who have already moved on – were the Very Best Team Ever! And, while I know that new and wonderful relationships and more excellent staff will be part of the organization in Little Rock, I still need to take this opportunity to publicly say “JOB, VERY WELL DONE!” to all of the staff. I have said to the young’uns – Nicole, Jen and Danette- that are moving into other positions, they are bound to succeed - they already have intelligence, competence and expertise working for them!

One of the things that we have found out this year is that if you ever need someone to coordinate packing up, Merle is your gal! Danette has proven that all debts CAN be collected. I cannot say enough about Jen – she makes it possible for me to accomplish whatever I do. And, Nicole has taken HIPPYCorps to new and wonderful heights. All the remaining staff, plus Gloria, Liz and Sheetal who was only here for a brief time, and Mala our accountant consultant, have made the last 9 months quite memorable!

So though right now the morning is not exactly feeling good, I welcome the opportunities the relocation brings for the organization and for me. I look forward to serving the organization with continued commitment and renewed zest. Last, but just as important, I thank each of you for your personal and organizational support during a very challenging time!

Gracias,
Gayle

M. Gayle Hart
National Program Director