The Work of Our Hands appoints new Board President

At a recent board meeting, Kerry Thatcher was appointed Board President for The Work of Our Hands. Kerry was previously a member of the board for one year, and she has volunteered at the store since she moved to Pella in 2019.

What attracts her to The Work of Our Hands? “I love fair trade,” she said. “I like how it offers opportunities to people. I like hearing about how lives are changed.”  For example, she said, she has met a couple from Ecuador who were enabled by their fair trade business to move to a better home and send their children to school. Their business has grown to include several employees.

Currently serving as board members for The Work of Our Hands are Anya Butt, Karen Jones, Paulina Mena, Eileen Westra, and Caleb Wubbels.

The board oversees significant decisions for the store, such as where to donate profits, which wholesalers to purchase from, and how many paid staff to employ. (Most of the staff at The Work of Our Hands are volunteers.)

There are currently several open positions on the board. If you are passionate about fair trade and the success of The Work of Our Hands, please consider this important opportunity to serve your community. Newsletter readers who are interested in learning more can contact Store Manager Amanda Johnson at 641.628.8687.