Looking Back
2021 was a challenging year for the Eastside Forum. Despite the impacts of COVID-19 on our organization, we were still able to successfully action on our 2020-2021 workplan.
Legislative Session Participation
With the support of consultant Liz Mills, board members Barbara de Michele and Amy Falone helped support Forum priorities and testified during the legislative session specifically for the SHB 1236 “just cause” eviction bill.
COVID-19 Support
The Forum partnered up with other Eastside agencies to create a COVID toolkit for nonprofits, working alongside AEA, Eastside Pathways and the Executive Directors Forum.
Restructured The Forum
The Board of Directors hired an external consultant Liz Keever to help the Forum identify operational and structural changes that would improve the effectiveness of EHSF in the community. The Board moved forward with amending the bylaws and the mission, with an emphasis on changing the mission to read “Educate – Advocate – Collaborate”.
Hired an Executive Director
We announced our new Executive Director November 1st. After long discussion, we recognized the need for dedicated leadership and were pleased to welcome Caitlin Pontrella as a part-time ED. You can read the full announcement here.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to 2022, The Forum is in a period of transformation. We have identified several major projects that will be moving forward in the new year.
Establishing Knowledge Coalitions
The Forum is in a unique position to connect, center, and amplify the expertise of our front-line providers and service organizations in educational activities that will reach elected officials and key decision makers in the community. We will be establishing Knowledge Coalitions that will help us pro-actively, rather than reactively, provide education and raise awareness amongst our city councils.
Evolving our Education & Legislative Committees
Our two core committees will restructure and serve in a support capacity to our Knowledge Coalitions, facilitating meetings, building and maintaining critical relationships, soliciticing input from elected officials, and ensuring content generated by our members is distributed.
Strategic Planning
The Board will be working on created and adopting a multi-year strategic plan that centers building capacity, expanding our network, and introducing new programming.
eastsidehsf.org 