Letter from the President and Board Members
Dear Friends of the Big Top:
In 2014 we raised the 6th new canvas tent in the 29 year history of Big Top Chautauqua. What a sight to see, that beautiful blue & gray striped canopy being raised up by a legion of volunteers. Thanks to all of the contributors who gave an extra gift to help buy the tent, and to our friend and supporter, Don Funk, for matching each of those donations.
I joined the Big Top board in 2009 and assumed the role of President in 2012. That same year our Board of Directors launched a 4-year Strategic Plan with the intention of strengthening the organization overall. We had several areas that we sought to address: Financial Stability, Marketing, Customer Service, Volunteers, Educational Outreach, and Facilities. This plan will conclude at the end of 2015 and last month we started to work on our next Strategic Plan that will take us from 2016 through 2021. It has been amazingly gratifying to see the goals we set back then being fulfilled and some being surpassed. We are undoubtedly a much stronger organization than we were only four short years ago.
None of that could have been possible without the generous help of this huge Chautauqua family of supporters that has grown up over the years. You know who you are, all of you who give of your time, your talent and your treasure to keep Big Top strong for this and future generations. It is so wonderful to know that Big Top holds an important place in the hearts of many, and that you are all caretakers of this organization that impacts all of our lives for the better. Thank you for everything you do to keep the tent standing at the foot of Mt. Ashwabay year after year, filled with amazing programs that make special memories for all of us.
With great appreciation,
Board of Directors
Kim Ogle, President
Iron River, WI
Essentia Health – Ashland, Physician
Ruth Goetz, Past-President
Ashland, WI
WI Dept. of Tourism, Retired
Kevin Hunt, Vice-President
Washburn, WI
Star North, Owner
Larry Gansluckner, Secretary
Bayfield, WI
Insurance Consultant
Therene Gazdik, Treasurer
Washburn, WI
School District of Washburn
Matt Crowell
Washburn, WI
Chippewa Valley Bank – Ashland, Vice-President
Cheryl Fosdick
Duluth, MN
CF Designs, Owner
Ron Harrold
La Pointe, WI Motion to Go, Owner
Kim Ogle Board President
Craig Haukaas
Ashland, WI Haukaas Law Office S. C., Attorney
Jim Perry
Larsen, WI
UW Fox Valley, Retired
Kim West
Bayfield, WI
The Bayfield Inn, Owner
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