A Letter from Mary to the Oaks and Spokes members, and Raleigh Community:
We have some exciting changes happening at Oaks and Spokes that we wanted to share with you all. Our organization has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years, and we have built a sustainable foundation to be able to hire new staff to help grow and move the organization forward. I am very excited to announce that Sara Ellis will be stepping in as the organization’s next Interim Director and will help to amplify and support the fantastic foundation the board and staff have helped to build. As the first staff member and Executive Director for Oaks and Spokes, I’m extremely proud of all we have accomplished in the past two-years. Now that we’ve built a sustainable foundation for the organization, it’s time for me to head on to my next venture. I know we have laid the groundwork for additional funding, community partners and collaborations to allow Oaks and Spokes to continue to grow and support advocacy efforts for a people powered future and that is something to celebrate. Thank you to all of YOU, that make this work possible.
There is still so much work to be done. Until we have a sustainable transportation system that serves all ages and all abilities and provides equitable access for all, we need to keep working together to realize a better future. I hope you will join me in supporting Oaks and Spokes both through your volunteer efforts and through charitable giving. We must all step up to intentionally help create the future we wish to see. Consider Oaks and Spokes in your end of year giving, or become a sustainer to provide $5, $10 or $20 a month to provide foundational support for the mission and work to help Oaks and Spokes grow.
I have had the time of my life working with you all to advocate for the critical improvements our community needs to have a less car-dependent and more carbon-neutral future. I hope to continue the work for a better transportation future in whatever role I land up in next. Thank you to everyone who walked and rolled beside me. I would be remiss to not mention our incredible board here, and the role they have played in getting this organization to a point where we can work to hire staff externally to amplify program impact. I especially want to mention Nick Neptune and Harry Johnson, who were with me every step of the way building Oaks and Spokes to the non-profit it is growing into today. I’m so proud of the work we have done, and know our community, board, and staff will continue to grow the organization for it to thrive in the years to come.
I’ll look for you all in the bike lane, Raleigh! Let’s roll!