Mapping Out the Plan Forward
Friends,
Prompted by many shifts in our world in the past few years (COVID, cultural youth changes, cultural changes to faith communities and increasing regulations, just to name a few) the Sonlight Board of Directors recently hired a camp consulting firm to review the Sonlight Camp organization and operations. We desire to stay strong and stay relevant to youth.
After a review of Organizational data, Participant data and Financial data the firm Run River has provided the Sonlight Board with a preliminary report, outlining some key findings.
“Sonlight is probably entering, or is already in, a new phase in its life as a nonprofit. Like any other organism, nonprofits have distinct phases to their existence. There have been several monumental changes for Sonlight in the recent past which signal new stages, and which require consideration of some new patterns and activities……… The board is charged with designing the form of staff leadership that is appropriate for what lies ahead for Sonlight, as an organization that is continuing to grow.”
Pam Harris | Principal Consultant
Run River
One piece of what we have learned is that moving forward we need some organizational changes. The Sonlight Board of Directors has made the hard decision to not renew the staff agreement that we have with our current Directors, Emrys and Sara, for the coming year. We will take a big step back and focus on Board Development. We will also accept the charge to design a structure of staff leadership that is appropriate for what lies ahead for Sonlight, as an organization that is continuing to grow.
It’s not an easy time. The Sonlight Board of Directors values the hard work that Emrys and Sara have done for the last several years, and all the good things they bring to Sonlight Camp. We also are passionate about ensuring that Sonlight Camp is sustainable for years to come, and creating a staffing model that is healthy for the camp as well as the staff.
Emrys and Sara will work through October 10, 2021. At that time Mary Marugg will step back in as an interim director allowing the Sonlight Board of Directors time to focus on Board Development, explore a staff leadership model that will move Sonlight Camp into the next generation of leadership.
Thanks for your prayers during this difficult time. The Sonlight Board of Directors and Advisors is grateful for the wisdom of the Run River Consultants. We are grateful for the Sonlight Camp community for being so extremely supportive through a pandemic and we are encouraged that we can do the work of moving to a new phase of growth in our non-profit life.
Vaya Con Dios,
The Sonlight Camp Board of Directors and Advisors
Jon Dunham
Mary Marugg
Winston Marugg
Brian Land
Meredith Weatherby
We invite you to send a note of thanks to Emrys and Sara. Join us in praying for the next steps in their journey.
Dear Sonlight Friends,
As you read in the communication from the Sonlight Board, our time at Sonlight is drawing to a close. We are filled with gratitude for all the Sonlight relationships that have blessed us for the past 11 years (Sara) and 5 years (Emrys). It has been our joy to have our lives intersect with yours during this season. From registration phone calls to late night conversations in the dining room, we value you and will miss those times together. We are very sad that our time at Sonlight is coming to an end. But we expect that God will continue to use Sonlight to bring kids and families together in the love of Jesus Christ. We hope that our paths will cross again. Thanks for being a part of the Sonlight community—staff, campers, families, and retreat guests. We love you!
We will remain in Pagosa Springs through this school year as we discern where God may be calling us to serve next. We’d love to stay in touch if you wish to do so. We can be reached at emrystyler or saratyler, both addresses are (at) gmail.com.
With Gratitude and Love,
Emrys & Sara Tyler