May 2, 2022
Dear Friends,
I began working as a community organizer with ESTHER in 2016. My goal was to continue the successes of my predecessors in building a powerful and respected social justice organization in NE Wisconsin. Over the course of the last 6 years ESTHER has indeed grown in terms of budget, membership, task forces, and the issues which we have won. In retrospect, I am the one who has grown and been blessed over the years by the incredible volunteers, donors and leaders who are the lifeblood of the organization. It is within this context that I have decided that now is an appropriate time for me to retire from full-time organizing with ESTHER on July 1.
I believe that ESTHER is in a strong and stable place right now that will enable it to continue well into the future with a new organizer. We have a strong and capable board, excellent leadership among all our task forces, a vibrant relationship with WISDOM, new collaborations with sister organizations, and a brand new member database system that will allow us to do even greater advocacy work.
I have developed many wonderful relationships over the past 6 years because of my work with ESTHER. I continue to be passionate about the work and the issues that we are working on. I will undoubtedly stay involved in some capacity with the organization because my work as an organizer was never just about earning a paycheck. It was about making a difference in the community and helping to raise the voices of those impacted societal injustices.
I am filled with gratitude for the support and love that everyone in the ESTHER family has shown me during my time of serving as your community organizer. I know that you will continue to demonstrate the same amount of grace and understanding to your next organizer.
Peace,
Bill Van Lopik
ESTHER Community Organizer
