This is a letter I wrote to the Board of Directors after attending the Diocese of Southern Virginias' Annual Council February 1-3 . I hope this keeps everyone in the loop and up to date on events and issues.

February 4th, 2008

Dear Chanco Board of Directors,

I want to pass along the good works of those who attended our diocese Annual Council at the Williamsburg Lodge this weekend. There were approximately 1,200 delegates, clergy, and onlookers that were present. Many important decisions were made for our entire diocese.

Friday afternoon, Talley, Ann Tansey, and I put together a Chanco booth that focused on colorful pictures of campers at camp. It received many complements and attracted many visitors. We received our camp brochure, a professionally developed and printed flyer, and the year end report from Professional Printers the morning of Council. Not a minute to soon!!! These were available in abundance on our booth table for anyone who wanted one. Next year we will probably have a booth for the camp and one for the conference center.

Friday night the Chanco Board of Directors' list of candidates were approved in front on the entire council. Saturday morning the Bishop spoke for a long 5 minutes about the needs and importance of Chanco on the James. Chanco was one of three main points that he chose to highlight in his hour long speech. He was incredibly supportive and gave strong recommendations to support Chancos' programs and facilities this year. The Bishop set the tone for Chancos' very positive advocacy by the diocese this year.

Directly following the Bishop's time, was Talley's presentation of Chanco's past year and vision for the future. She was inspirational and her plea for financial and spiritual support of Chanco was poignant and moving. She had the most emotional talk of the entire weekend and received a STANDING OVATION!!! She was stopped by delegates, alumni, and even the Bishop's wife Peggy, thanking her for her true expression of affection for Chanco.

Our reception on Saturday night met and surpassed our expectations with around 30 people. Including Fred Poteet and his wife (Archdeacon for Congregational Development & Bishop's Chaplain at Talbot Hall), Judge Taloe and his wife (Chairman of the Standing Committee), Judge McCormick and his wife, Art Spooner (Treasurer & Administrator of the Diocese and Chanco), Bill Blunt (B.O.D), Dave Davenport (Chairman of the Capital Campaign), Karen Witherspoon (incoming Board Member), Sarah Scott Thomas (incoming President of the Board) The President of the Chanco Alumni Association and the majority of their board, as well as many other friends and supporters. I am happy to report that Jim Thurmond (B.O.D), Becky Olson (B.O.D), Peter Hogg (exiting B.O.D), Jim Smith (outgoing President of the B.O.D), and Jim Camp (B.O.D. Treasurer) were in attendance over the weekend too. (I'm sorry if I've left anyone out who was there - I was busy during the reception and could have missed people - also please forgive me if I've miss spelled any one's name). It was a success in many ways.

Sunday morning began with the Bishop and the council passing a resolution (I'm not sure if that is the correct council term) for Chanco to move forward on a capital campaign. And finally, the Bishop drew a name out of a Chanco hat in front of the entire assembly giving the lucky winner $100 off camp tuition this summer. This was a fun thing and I would love for it to be a tradition at every Annual Council.

Wow, what an eventful weekend. It's a nice reinforcement for all the difficult decisions that we made in 2007. We have increased Chanco's profile within our diocese during this council. I had clergy and youth directors coming up to our booth to arrange for me to come talk to their churches during cookies and coffee on Sundays through the spring. This will be coordinated with the CPR program.

All this is positive and I want to thank everyone involved. Art deserves special recognition for all his behind the scenes promotion of our staff, mission, and campaign with the bBishop and his staff. I want to recognixe Rev. Jim Smith for his 8 years as B.O.D. Presidents and welcome Sarah Scott Thomas as our incoming President. I want to thank the entire Board of Directors for your support of Chanco and of me in 2007. Things are starting to fall into place. If you have any specific questions, as always, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm looking forward to our overnight as we bring our new members onto the Board. They are inheriting a much more healthy Chanco than last year thanks to you all.

Life is good,
Robert Somers
Executive Director
Chanco on the James
www.chanco.org
1-888-7CHANCO
director@chanco.org