“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.“—Albert Einstein
Members of our Chinook family—founders, staff, supporters, neighbors, and board members both current and past—gathered in January with Jerry Millhon to honor his extraordinary leadership over the last five years, and to entrust our shared purpose to new Co-Directors Heather Johnson and Bill Koenig. View photos from the event here!
Among other highlights of the evening, a brief ceremony was held to entrust symbols of leadership to Heather, Bill, and Board Chair Gabriel Shirley. Each was given a stone and a feather.
The smooth, heavy stones, formed up to 2 billion years ago and sourced from present-day Iona, represent the long view—a vital perspective which includes the past, present, and future of the organization, and of the world to which it is of service.
The feathers, dropped by barred owls, represent the view from above—a perspective removed from day-to-day matters, from which one can gaze with owl-like wisdom upon the full landscape and all those therein.
In addition to these sacred and lovely items, Jerry loaned to Heather a favorite talisman of his own—a jester’s hat, for the handling of challenges through humor and a light heart. We could not hope for a more genuine gesture of goodwill from Jerry, our past Executive Director, current Thriving Communities program leader, and forever friend.