June 2020 | Page 22

WASBO STAFF UPDATES My Grandma Plan Tina Hafeman WASBO Accounting and Technology Coordinator It is with great joy, and some sadness, that I share my plans to leave WASBO at the end of the summer for a new position. As many of you know, Kaitlyn Peters is not only my co-worker but also my daughter. She and her husband Matt are expecting their first child the end of the month. We are so excited to meet him. If you have not guessed, I am planning to be a full-time grandma! Our parents were very involved grandparents and a tremendous help to us as we raised our children. It was a gift and I hope to share the same gift by being a part of my new grandchild’s life. I also intend to spend more time with my parents and the rest of my family. I have been a part of WASBO, and WASBO has been a part of me, since 1993 when my father-in-law Don Hafeman asked if I would help him out on a part-time basis – doing things like stuffing mailings. I had no idea where that would lead. I have worked full-time since 1997 as Administrative Assistant and then Associate Executive Director. After a short break from 2015-16 to care for my father-in-law, I was fortunate to return to WASBO as the Accounting & Technology Coordinator. I have worked with 4 excellent executive directors including Don Hafeman, Don Mrdjenovich, Woody Wiedenhoeft and Mike Barry. There have been several WASBO staff members along the way – Jeanne, Marsha, Joyce, Cate, Bonnie, Ainé, Deb, Clare, Kristin, Kaitlyn and Ryan. I have learned something from each and enjoyed what they brought to WASBO. They have all been a part of WASBO’s success and growth. WASBO is an amazing group of individuals. You are some of the most dedicated and caring people I know. Children are your top priority and you make sacrifices and fight to ensure they are cared for and educated with the resources at hand. No time like the present has shown this more. You are committed to working with your colleagues to help each other when you have a challenge and share what you have learned. Many of you have Meet Baby Peters Kaitlyn and Matt welcomed Mason Matthew Peters on Monday, May 18, 2020 at 9:37 am. He is 19 ¾” and 6 lb. 5 oz. Everyone is home and doing well. Grandma Tina is with them hoping to allow them to sleep from time to time. given back by serving WASBO on the WASBO Board, committees, regionals, presenting at conferences, mentoring, and more. I cannot express how much respect and gratitude I have for you and the job you do. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know you as professionals and as friends. This will not be goodbye; I hope to stay connected to WASBO and help out from time to time. I believe in what we do and am not ready to completely walk away from my WASBO family. I am looking forward to accomplishing more before Fall and look forward to being part of the transition to a new WASBO staff person. (P.S. – WASBO is looking for a new staff person.) Have a great summer and stay well! 22 June 2020 • Taking Care of Business • WASBO.com