{"id":1587,"date":"2016-05-05T22:16:52","date_gmt":"2016-05-05T22:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opalclt.org\/?p=1587"},"modified":"2016-05-05T22:16:52","modified_gmt":"2016-05-05T22:16:52","slug":"opal-recaps-busy-year-honors-lisa-byers-at-2016-annual-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.opalclt.org\/es\/opal-recaps-busy-year-honors-lisa-byers-at-2016-annual-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"OPAL Recaps Busy Year, Honors Lisa Byers at 2016 Annual Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Celebrating

Celebrating Lisa Byers\u2019 20th year as OPAL\u2019s executive director are (left to right) OPAL co-founder and trustee Penny Sharp Sky, Lisa Byers, returning trustee Helen Bee, and newly elected trustee Anne Bertino.<\/p><\/div>\n

Following a recap of OPAL Community Land Trust\u2019s activities in 2015 and the election and recognition of new and retiring trustees, a highlight of OPAL\u2019s 26th annual meeting on April 26 was the surprise celebration of Lisa Byers\u2019 20 years of leadership as executive director..<\/p>\n

\u201cLisa became executive director of OPAL in 1996,\u201d said co-founder and trustee Penny Sharp Sky, who told the story of first meeting Byers back East through mutual friends and encouraging her to move to Orcas.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past two decades Lisa\u2019s hard work and devotion to the people and life of this island have been extraordinary,\u201d said Sky. \u201cShe has helped make possible every one of the 114 affordable houses and apartments that OPAL has added since she arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 70 islanders packed the Episcopal Parish Hall for OPAL\u2019s annual review of affordable housing activities. Byers reported that in 2015 OPAL moved, renovated and sold to new owners five \u201crecycled\u201d houses from Orcas, Seattle, Poulsbo and Belfair. In addition, OPAL staff facilitated the resale of seven other OPAL homes.<\/p>\n

New homeowners include islanders who work in restaurants, retail, carpentry, photography, education and social service.<\/p>\n

It was reported that last year 360 households and businesses supported OPAL with contributions of $302,469. In addition, OPAL was awarded grants of $166,461 from federal, state, county and private foundation sources.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year was also significant in that OPAL received more than $1.5 million in bequests from strong, steadfast supporters,\u201d said Byers. \u201cThose dollars were added to OPAL\u2019s endowment to secure the organization\u2019s long-term sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Out-going trustees Rollie Sauer, Suzanne Olson and Douglas Ellis were recognized and thanked for their many contributions.<\/p>\n

Anne Bertino, a member of OPAL\u2019s building committee, was elected to her first three-year term as a trustee. She brings experience in green building and design, energy efficient systems, and interior space planning.<\/p>\n

Helen Bee, who heads the OPAL fundraising committee, and previously served as a trustee for nine years, was welcomed back to the board after term-limiting off last year.<\/p>\n

Board president Bob Gamble and trustee Vicki Brems were re-elected to three-year terms.<\/p>\n

Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 132 rental and ownership Orcas Island households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house in the traditional market. For more information, go to: www.opalclt.org<\/a> or call (360) 376-3191.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following a recap of OPAL Community Land Trust\u2019s activities in 2015 and the election and recognition of new and retiring trustees, a highlight of OPAL\u2019s 26th annual meeting on April 26 was the surprise celebration of Lisa Byers\u2019 20 years of leadership as executive director.. \u201cLisa became executive director of OPAL in 1996,\u201d said co-founder […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-news","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t