Dear SLN Members and Supporters,
Happy New Year! This past year was incredibly challenging for everyone, as we learned how to navigate our new “normal.” As siblings, we learned to navigate this for ourselves as well as our sisters and brothers. In such an uncertain time, I am honored to be assuming the role of Board Chair of the SLN.
This past year has been a year of change for me, and not just due to Covid-19. This fall I moved from Nashville, TN back home to Cleveland, Ohio, where I purchased my first home and started a new job in a new industry. I moved to be near my family, including my sister, and I feel blessed to be able to be closer to them during this crazy time.
As 2020 has come to an end, I would like to thank everyone that donated to our holiday donation drive. With all your support, and our incredible matching donors, we raised a total of over $9500! These funds will help us continue to further our mission of providing siblings with the support and tools needed to advocate with our brothers and sisters.
I am so excited for what is coming in 2021 for the SLN. First of all, we have several leadership role changes. Nikki Donnelly concludes her time as Board Chair and will be transitioning to the Outgoing Chair. I would like to thank Nikki for her leadership this year, and I look forward to continuing to work with and learn from her this coming year. We have four new faces joining us on the Board of Directors, Shawnnita Buckner has been elected as Vice Chair and Shirley Valladares has been elected as Secretary. Additionally, Chung eun Lee has become the new Co-Chair of Research and Kristin Lanari is the new Co-Chair of Chapter Development. Thank you to our departing Secretary, Jessica Buettner, and departing Co-Chair of Chapter Development, Barb Sapharas, for their service—we will miss you! Secondly, we are looking forward to hosting our 8th National SLN Conference this summer in Jacksonville, FL, and for the first time ever, virtually! We hope that you will all be able to join us in June. Please visit our Conference website for more details.
As our roles as siblings have changed this year, I encourage you to become more involved with the SLN. We all have unique experiences to share and having a support network is more important than ever. The following options are great ways to get involved if you have not already.
- Become a member or take on a leadership role within your state chapter.
- Help support the development of a state chapterif you live in one of the areas which hasn’t yet created a chapter.
- Connect with us and share your thoughts via our Facebook Page, Facebook Group, and on Twitter.
- Donateor increase your financial contribution to your chapter and/or the SLN’s national organization.
Additionally, I would challenge each of you to invite a sibling you know from your community, who is not aware of the SLN, to become involved with our network. They say there is strength in numbers, and we all could use a little extra strength right now.
I wish you and your families a very happy and healthy New Year!
Kelsey Sullivan
SLN Chair
