Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. “People Helping People” www.tvoc.org
2012
September Newsletter Tri-Valley Board of Directors Announces Succession Plan for Chief Executive Officer Dennis P. DeMers (Crookston, Minn.)- The Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. Board of Directors announced today the company will initiate a two year Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan commencing on October 1, 2012, and culminating with the smooth transition of Jason Carlson, Operations Officer, replacing Dennis P. DeMers effective October 1, 2014. Over the past two years the Board of Directors has gone through an exhaustive Succession Planning process leading to its decision to expedite the Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan this year. “The Board of Directors voted unanimously to recommend Jason as Dennis’s successor to the Chief Executive Officer position. While serving as the Operations Officer, Jason’s dedication to serving Tri-Valley constituents, attention to detail, accuracy in reporting, and overall commitment to the organization and its employees led the Succession Planning Committee and subsequently the entire Board of Directors to believe Jason is the right choice to replace Dennis as Chief Executive Officer,” says Tri-Valley Board Chairperson Dr. Linda Neuerburg. Since 1965, Tri-Valley has been a leader in providing services to clients and communities throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and Michigan. Over the past 20 years the execution of programs, services and community collaboration has been the responsibility of DeMers who has been with the corporation in leadership roles for over 40 years. The Tri-Valley Board Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan will help the company move forward and will make this major leadership change smooth, seamless and effective.
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. Launches New and Improved Company Website (Crookston, Minn.)- Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. announced today that the company has launched a new and improved website at www.tvoc.org. The new website was designed with improved navigation features that will help promote the mission of Tri-Valley and its programs to the communities the company serves. Updated features of the website include a calendar that contains Tri-Valley events and important dates for individual programs and a renovated news page that showcases each program’s accomplishments. Improved search features allow users to find information quicker and easier and a media/marketing page includes brochures and other digital marketing materials that are resources for additional program information. “We hope that this improved website will encourage our clients and communities to use our services more effectively and for Tri-Valley to become even more responsive to their needs,” shared Tri-Valley Chief Executive Officer Dennis P. DeMers.
Upcoming October Calendar Items: * Oct. 8- Region V Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council. (6:30 pm) * Oct. 9- Tri-Valley Board of Directors Meeting (7 pm) * Oct. 29- Teddy Bear Clinic Sponsored by CFSC @ Riverview Health (6:30 pm)
Tri-Valley Program Gives Kids Head Start
(Story Continued) Head Start does educational and health Article and Photo by Jodelle Greiner – Staff Writer , screenings, makes sure kids are on track with immunizations, and enhances education at an appropriate age level. For exFairmont Sentinel ample, teachers in the toddler room work on colors. Older kids may learn numbers. Games include matching colors and WINNEBAGO – Giving kids the tools they need to shapes. make it in school is the goal behind Tri-Valley Opportunity Council’s Head Start for migrant seasonal work- Mostly, they just get the kids adapted to being in a classroom. ers at Winnebago. “Socialization is a big thing when the kids had no preschool,” “Our ultimate goal is to prepare the children for kinder- said Ingebritson, pointing out that some of the kids have stayed garten, so they succeed long term in school,” said Cally at home with older siblings in the past. Ingebritson, family and community services specialist. “It’s a challenge just because the population we serve is so mobile,” she said. “These chilTri-Valley has 14 locations across the dren haven’t had any services in the past few state, but this is the first year for the one in years. Having them in a safe center, learning Winnebago. Each location times its Head and happy is a better option.” Start to coincide with the crop cycle in the area, so the one in Winnebago began in Since it is the program’s first year in Winnebago, Ingebritson has no comparisons on June and will conclude at the end of this the impact it has had on the children, but month. Other sites could run late into the she said that national studies of Head Start fall. programs have shown that every dollar invested will save the government between $7 There are about 30 children at the Winand $19 down the line. nebago site, located at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, ranging in age from infants to “Statistically, more kids who go to Head those who have started kindergarten in Start programs will graduate, avoid disease, the past couple of weeks. are less likely to need remedial support, are less likely to have teen pregnancies and go to jail, ” Ingebritson said. The parents of these kids follow the crops, working in fields or factories, nearly always on the move. She has much higher hopes for these kids. “Most of the kids are born in the United States,” Ingeb“Our goal is to make sure they are educationally and developritson said, “and live their whole lives in the U.S., but mentally prepared for school,” Ingebritson said. “I’d like them like birds, their families go between Minnesota and to graduate high school and go to college, long, long-term.” Texas.” It’s a tough life, she said. “The families work really hard; these are the families who are feeding us,” Ingebritson said. “Farm work is the lowest-paid work, second only to domestic housework. These children face a lot because their families are so low-income; multiple challenges other kids don’t face. “It’s hard for these kids to stay on track with their education,” she said. “That’s why there’s a special version of Head Start.” (Story Continued on top of page)
Did You Know?...
* You can receive more information on Tri-Valley’s programs and services by calling 218-281-5832 or 800-584-7020. * You can keep up with Tri-Valley news on the TVOC website at www.tvoc.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TVOCInc and on Twitter at @TriValley_TVOC. * Everyone can receive the Tri-Valley Newsletter. If you know of anyone who would like a copy please have them contact Mitch Bakken at 218-281-5832 or mitch.bakken@tvoc.org.
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. (TVOC) is a community action agency headquartered in Crookston, MN. It is our Mission to provide opportunities to individuals and communities in order to improve the quality of our lives. In existence since 1965, TVOC provides services in 84 counties in Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota. For more information on services offered by Tri-Valley please call 218-281-5832 or 800-584-7020. This information is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Contact us at 1-800-5847020 or by calling the Telecommunication Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer/provider. EOE/M/F/D/V
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.