Category

Uncategorized

Jul 31 2019
0

Who Are the 2019 Summer Interns?!?

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

We are excited to have Trina and Roda join our tSB community as our summer interns!

 

We sat down with them to pick their minds on what makes them so dope and why tSB.

Yeti: “Why did you choose a summer internship at tSB?”

Trina: “I didn’t know much about tSB before starting the internship. I was interested in getting out of my comfort zone, gaining work experience and being able to communicate with others. During my first day I learned that tSB provides youth in our community with opportunities to do fun activities and build leadership skills.”

Roda: “Before choosing tSB my SYEP Coordinator and I discussed my future goals. I have always wanted to work in the law and also help youth who are currently in the system get out and better themselves and receive opportunities they could never get. Then I came across tSB, an organization that caught my eye. Although I didn’t know a whole lot about this organization, I did know that they helped youth.”

Yeti: “What are you most excited to learn during your time at tSB?”

Trina: “I am most excited about developing my communication skills and interacting with a wide range of people. Also, I am super excited to work with my supervisor and plan tSB’s summer block party. So far some fun experiences I’ve had include grocery shopping trips for program meetings, creating videos and social media posts, and understanding all the hard work and time that goes into planning an event so it eventually comes to life.”

Roda: “I am most excited in learning how an amazing non profit like tSB runs behind closed doors and all the different tasks that need to be completed in order to provide the best services for youth. One task I am interested in is building connections with other organizations/business that will benefit youth who participate in tSB. I’m also excited in meeting new people and creating more fun memories with tSB Staff 🙂 “

Yeti: “Why is youth leadership important to an organization?”

Trina: “Youth leadership is important in an organization like tSB because tSB is an organization mainly focused on youth and it is important for us to recognize the power that youth may have that our society does not acknowledge.”

Roda: “Youth leadership is important to an organization because the youth of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. Without youth leadership our world would be lost since we are the leaders and what we do as a community whether it’s positive or negative it will affect us the most. Having a platform to learn how to communicate and work together will shape us in being better leaders.”

Yeti: “What are your plans after tSB?”

Trina: “After tSB I hope to stay connected to this program and potentially come back to help out or become a leader, as well as joining more internships program similar to this program.”

Roda: “After tSB, I would like to explore more ways I can give back to my community. I plan to volunteer with other non profit organizations that interest me and align with my future goals, and see where it takes me.”

Yeti: “What do you like to do in your free time?”

Trina: “I enjoy spending time with my friends and family or just having days to myself where I stay in and watch youtube videos or Netflix. One of my favorite movies on Netflix as of right now that I love rewatching is Another Cinderella story starring Selena Gomez.

Roda: “I enjoy spending quality time with friends and fam. I enjoying going to the movies, amusement parks, and exploring with friends. I also like Vlogging for non existent Youtube 🙂 and watching Youtube videos. I enjoy the outdoors bike riding, going to the beach, swimming and finding new places to eat.”

Nov 21 2018
0

Meet Our 2018 Program Team!

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

What’s up tSB Community?! Cole Story, tSB Program Manager, here to recap the year, and introduce our new Program Team! What a year it’s been for tSB – new faces, some Summer fun on the coast, and a successful Soiree event, just to name a few of our big moments this year! But before we go any further, we want to give a huge shout out to Benji Anderson. Benji stepped down as Program Manager earlier this year, and we are so thankful for his leadership, commitment, individuality, and general “dopeness” that he brought to tSB, both as a mentor, and as a staff member. We can’t say enough about Benji and his impact on the community, but his ability to build community and empower youth leadership inspire our team to continue carrying the torch. Thanks to Benji, tSB is stronger than ever, and we are ready for another 23 years of youth leadership, community, and shredding the mountains!

This past year’s Core Program featured an abbreviated program, as we refocused our intentions and commitments to mentoring youth and continuing to create a tight-knit community. From building community over food, to learning, listening, and discussing topics of race, gender, sexuality, homelessness, and more, to laughing, falling, and toe-side/heel-side turns on the mountain, tSB’s core values remain the same. As we look to the future, we’re so excited to continue building on our strengths, and to let the youth lead the way! Our Peer Leader group for the upcoming Core Program is full of ambitious, active, and creative young people! Just a month and half into the Peer Leader program, and they are already forming a tight group ready to lead the way for next year’s Core Program.

Earlier this year, I was hired on as the Program and Development Coordinator, and am now the new Program Manager. Stepping on midway through this past year’s Core Program was definitely a challenge, but I was immediately met with love, community, food, and fun. My first Wednesday Program night focused on self care. We rotated through stations that included free drawing, breakdancing, poetry, and yoga, and yooooo it was so much fun! I can’t dance, draw, do yoga, and I don’t consider myself to be a poet, but doing those activities with a new group, and with people trying new activities was, in my opinion, quintessential tSB. If I wasn’t hooked then, I was definitely hooked after the first retreat, and snowboarding for the first time with the group only cemented that. I’m so appreciative to have just jumped into this community, and to be so warmly accepted!

Speaking of new hires, a huge shout out to our newest members of the Program Team, Roedah Mansour and Eugene Oh! Roedah joined the team in September, and is our new Program Coordinator. Roedah has seamlessly jumped in, focusing her attention on working with the Peer Leaders and incoming mentors. A dynamic youth advocate, Roedah brings her creativity as a filmmaker, and her jovial and warm personality to the squad! We’re so stoked to have another powerful, woman of color on our team! Eugene stepped on as our Program Intern in October to complete his Social Work practicum. Eugene is completing his undergraduate coursework in both, Social Work and Computer Science, at the University of Washington. Since he’s stepped on, Eugene has been a welcomed addition to the team, bringing his positive energy, connecting with the Peer Leaders, and focusing on prophet and mentor recruitment.

As we get ready for next year’s Core Program, we can’t help but feel confident and excited! Look out for this new group of Peer Leaders and the new Program Team to continue building on tSB’s momentum!

–Cole Story, Program Manager

he/him/his

Oct 10 2017
0

Message to the tSB Community from the tSBoard

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Dear tSB friends and family,

As you know, tSB was sad to say farewell in August to Chiloe Barrera-Cloyd, our wonderful and dedicated Interim Executive Director, who has headed back to school in pursuit of a new career. Chiloe will be missed, especially her energy and dedication to serving the youth in our program. You can read her farewell message here.

As 2017 comes to a close, we will continue to search for the next permanent leader of our organization – one who possesses jut the right blend of leadership, commitment to youth, organizational management, and fundraising prowess to keep tSB thriving for years to come. We’re looking for a leader with that “special sauce” to advance tSB to new heights. It’s a tough challenge, but it’s a labor of love. We are excited to find the person who is just the right fit for our beloved tSB.

Where does that leave tSB in the meantime? Fear not, as we have been working hard to ensure this transition process does not slow down tSB’s work and its mission. To get us through this Fall and into the winter season, we are thrilled to introduce you to our new Interim Executive Director, Lacie West! Lacie comes to us from College Access Now and has been in place since mid-September. To learn about her, please read her bio here. Her leadership skills have already impressed us immensely. From organizing our annual Soiree (November 10th! Tickets available here) to working with staff to plan our 2018 Winter Core Program, Lacie is the right person to provide stability as we continue our search for a permanent ED.

tSB has been working its mission since 1995, fueled by the love and financial support of our community. Your ongoing support is as important as ever during the transition. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or feedback for us – we’d love to hear from you at info@theserviceboard.org.

The snow will fall soon and we look forward to seeing you on the mountain!

Yours in community,

Mary Cadera & Anthony Auriemma
Board Chair & Co-Chair

Oct 04 2017
0

From the Desk of Sara Bloom-Taylor – My Farewell

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

“I’d like to thank the entire tSB community, the mentors, youth, snowboard instructors, staff, and Board of Directors for providing me with the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people. I feel honored to have gotten to know some of the incredible people who make up this community and have been forever changed by my time at tSB. It was a challenging time with lots of growth; I learned so much about myself, about how to push my growing edge, and most importantly, how to learn from and be influenced by others. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and my ideas and thoughts were challenged, making me a more thoughtful and courageous person who will continue to work hard to become more aware of myself with respect to the identity of others.

The biggest takeaway from my time at tSB will forever be the youth participants I got to interact with. These young people are truly incredible. They deserve our time, energy, resources, and belief. They are EACH unique, powerful, smart, caring, kind, talented people who will forever surprise you. Do not underestimate them; instead, invest in them and continue to create space for them to shine. I want to thank all of the participants from this last year for letting me hang out with them, get to know them better, and reminding me how to let go and be a kid again.

Thank you tSB for the work you do to dismantle prejudice, build up our next generation, and create a safe space for people of all identities to belong to.”

 

Aug 23 2017
0

Thank you & Farewell!

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

August 23, 2017

Dear friends, family and community members,

One thing I have learned from my tenure with the Service Board is how relationships flex and change as people grow and take on new challenges. I write this letter as I end my interim role as tSB’s Executive Director and move onto my next big challenge!

I hope this letter may serve as an expression of gratitude, an affirmation of my commitment and lasting support, as well as naming opportunities for tSB to continue to grow.

I wish to express my resounding appreciation to the tSB staff members I have been able to work with. Their dedication to radical honesty, self reflection and commitment to excellence drives the integrity and authentic community building that makes our program unique. tSB staff  have inspired, mentored, and uplifted me. They remain the primary reason why I know tSB will continue to fulfill its mission with grit and everlasting swagger.

As a staff member, I have taken immense pleasure in contributing to an environment that celebrates youth agency and creates tight, long lasting bonds between people. Communities like ours are best practiced as a verb and cannot be upheld without shared accountability. Here is my pledge for the future to perpetuate our mission and support our collectivity:

  • I will continue relationships with the youth, peers and mentors I have connected with. I will show up and I will listen.
  • I will shepherd in new leadership at the Service Board in ways that are appropriate and helpful.
  • I will always be a resource for institutional knowledge and critical feedback.
  • I will yield to the next generation of tSB leaders and will suspend judgement as tSB innovates in unexpected ways in the future.
  • I will hold the organization accountable to the highest standard as demanded and outlined by the youth of Seattle. I will never put my voice above that of the youth we serve.

In return, I expect this organization to continue to grow and surprise me. Here are some areas where I think this can happen:

  • I look forward to watching the Service Board continue to hire and support radical, emerging leaders (folks new to the non-profit world, brown folks, folks without degrees, folks with degrees in completely unrelated fields, young people, old people, trans folks and gender non-conforming folks, queer people and especially program alumni). I hope one day to say, “oh yeah, tSB’s amazing new ED was in the program when I worked there.”
  • After 21 years, the Service Board is in a unique place to take a look at how we interact with social justice issues. Is it enough to do workshops and service learning? Perhaps the needs of marginalized youth in Seattle extend past talking about why their communities are underserved. What would it look like for social justice to be integrated into our mission? Let’s be clear about who we serve and why! How would this affect our relationships with our donors and how we can work on strengthening our donor relationships so they feel informed, are deeply connected to our youth, and feel accountable to our mission.

I look forward to supporting our youth leaders and community as we continue to wrestle with these important questions.

The Service Board has been my refuge for over 10 years. It is the place where I am told that my potential is boundless, that I am inherently intelligent, that I am worth challenging and that my voice always matters. The Service Board has been a community that has healed my wounds and even replaced them with beautiful affirmations. It has been my honor to serve this community and I cannot wait to witness the future of our organization!

WHEN I SAY T-S, YOU SAY B! TS…

With boundless warmth and affection,

Chiloe

PS. Want to know what’s next for me? I do too! I have plans to return to school and become a midwife, but as I leave the Service Board I am soundly embracing the unknown. Also, I’m getting married to my partner who I met in tSB (yay!). I look forward to sharing all my new adventures with my tSB family as I have for the past 10 years and plan to for the rest of my life!

Oct 31 2016
0

Soiree: Helping You Plan an EPIC 2017

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

New Orleans Jazz Escape

This Experience Includes:

  • 3-night stay in a standard guest room at the Hyatt French Quarter New Orleans
  • Admission for 2 including skip-the-line status to the Preservation Hall of Jazz
  • Jazz brunch or 3-course dinner with wine pairing for 2 at Commanders Palace Restaurant
  • Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 from within the 48 contiguous U.S. to New Orleans, LA
  • Winspire booking & concierge service

NASCAR Driver Experience

This Experience Includes:

  • NASCAR car racing experience for 1 at your choice of participating locations throughout the contiguous U.S.
  • 2-night stay in a standard guest room at participating Hyatt Place hotels
  • Round-trip coach class airfare for 2 within the 48 contiguous U.S.
  • Winspire booking & concierge service

Enjoy a package for one participant that provides classroom training AND the ability to drive real NASCAR Sprint Cup cars on a professional super speedway track during two 8-minute racing sessions.

There is no lead car to follow and no instructor riding with you. Personal racing instructors communicate with you using 2-way radio racing electronics, as well as be your spotter, coaching you during the racing sessions and helping you achieve fast speeds safely. Passing is allowed — pass the slower cars as you catch them, putting the pedal to the metal and seeing if you have what it takes to be a NASCAR driver!

The 3-hour experience begins when you arrive at the race tracks infield at the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage. After check-in, get suited up and attend the Drivers Meeting with the Crew Chief that covers all training, instruction and a video presentation. Package includes a graduate certificate, souvenir license, liability and insurance.

Participant must at least 18 years of age or older, be in good physical condition, and have a valid drivers license. Because of safety reasons, cars are restricted to those under 6’7″ tall and weighing less than 270 lbs. Minimum height requirement 5′. Note: Additional driving experiences can be purchased at the time of booking.

Oct 12 2016
1

tSBIG News

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Dearest tSB Community,

 I’m writing today with sincere appreciation, abundant love and humble confidence to share that I will be transitioning out of my role as Executive Director at the Service Board over the next few months to pursue new career opportunities that have recently presented themselves.

 While this has been a hard decision, tSB could not be in a better place. Finances are healthy, our incredible staff team is rock solid and core program 2017 is already filling up. Additionally, our board and community are wrapping up a 6 month long inclusive strategic planning process that will position the new leadership to carry us into our next unified and bold chapter.

Serving as the Executive Director at the Service Board for the last two years has been the greatest honor and privilege of my personal and professional life. I am so very grateful for all the relationships I have built-the tSB prophets who are literally changing our world, the mentors and volunteers who pour their hearts and love into our community, donors who believe in our mission and show up year after year, and the board and staff who work their hardest to ensure tSB continues to be the impactful and life changing organization we have always been.

Despite my career taking a new direction, my support of and belief in tSB are not. I will forever champion tSB’s cause and I am so grateful I can continue to see you all at program happenings, events and out and about in Seattle.  

Sincerely,
Alex Okerman
Executive Director

Dear Everyone,

As Alex moves into his next chapter, we’re grateful to him for taking the Service Board to new heights. No really–under Alex, tSB launched New Heights, a program dedicated to continuing engagement with tSB youth after high school. Alex has been a strong leader, supporting the staff, the board, and most importantly, the youth with his endless energy, focus, and positivity. He’s amazed us all with his exhaustive fundraising efforts and he fearlessly oversaw a strategic planning process that has given us a five-year plan and decision framework. “The Alex Years” have been good indeed.

While it’s always sad to see a leader of Alex’s caliber go, he leaves us in very strong standing. Best of all, he leaves us with an interim director whom we are very excited about. Stepping into the role is Chiloe Barrera-Cloyd, who’s gained great strategic insight into tSB over the past two years in her role as Program Manager. She’s excited to “see the whole puzzle” by taking on broader responsibility. As a woman of color who participated in tSB as a youth, she understands the power of taking on this role, and hopes to begin a legacy of a leadership ladder through which our youth take more ownership of the organization. Chiloe wants to provide stability and a connection to the organization’s past and her historical knowledge will provide continuity as we enter a period of change.

At this point, our ED search is on schedule and running smoothly and we hope to announce a new ED in early 2017. We’ve curated a thoughtful balance of board members, staff, and community stakeholders who are working hard to steward the process.

tSB has been working its mission since 1995, fueled by the love and financial support of our community. Your ongoing support is as important as ever during the transition. The snow will soon be falling and we look forward to seeing you on the mountain!

Yours in community,
Mary Cadera
Board Chair

Sep 26 2016
0

Program Coordinator Needed!

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

Hi tSB Fam,

It is official. We are looking for a new Program Coordinator for this coming year. We are looking for someone committed, energetic and passionate for working with youth. Because we love the idea of hiring somebody from in the community, we are conducting a brief but competitive hiring process.

This person will be responsible for:

  • Coordinating and facilitating the development of relevant weekly programming incorporating peer and youth leadership, mentor support, and community partners whenever possible.  
  • Maintaining regular records, reports, and reflections on community status at all times including attendance, family groups, weekly emails and online updates.
  • Professionally and compassionately addressing issues and individuals in a timely manner in accordance with tSB Community Agreements and Values.
  • Honoring and developing gifts and capacities of Peer Leaders, volunteer mentors, and youth participants.

Compensation & Timeline:

Full time (32-40 Hours weekly), $18 to $21 Hourly DOE. . Medical, dental, sick leave and vacation time included. Season passes to the Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens pass available.

Start date November 21, 2016.

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume to jobs@theserviceboard.org by Monday, October 10, 2016, no later than 5PM. Questions can also be emailed to jobs@theserviceboard.org or by calling 206.324.7771  

For more details here are the announcement and job description: