Letter From the Executive Director

I would like to introduce myself as Interim Executive Director (ED) of Body Positive, Inc. I am fortunate to be working with some extraordinary people. Our staff is made up of a dozen full-time staff, and about the same number of Peer Educators. And we are also lucky to have many dedicated volunteers who keep our Helpline staffed and provide other needed services. Did you know we have an entire department dedicated to finding, training and overseeing our Volunteer Program? More on this later. ...

As some of you may know, I have served the past several years as BP's Board Treasurer, a volunteer position. In 1999 and early 2000 I was called upon to serve the agency in the capacity of ED in addition to continuing in my position as Treasurer. Once again I am here as your Interim ED, so that our dedicated staff, peers and volunteers have a person who is accountable for keeping the agency moving forward.

We've been quite busy at 19 Fulton Street over the past few months. We are now working in a renovated space that includes a Helpline Office and a new library that consolidates many computer and print-based resources in one accessible location, so that information is more easily obtained and distributed. Other space has been reconfigured to better serve the work, meeting, and program needs of the agency.

BP exists in its current form thanks to the many volunteers who come to the table and ask us "How can I help?" Please see the article in this issue highlighting our Volunteer Program. Call us and we will tell you how you can help! You can contact us 24/7 at 212-566-7333; just dial extension 15 and leave a message for Tim Wearne, our Volunteer and Client Support Services Coordinator (or e-mail him at twearne@bodypos.org). Tim is the staff person who will see to it that you find a rewarding way to participate at BP. Our commitment to you is that we will help you to find something to do which you find satisfying. We will train you and support you so you are well equipped to handle the work, and you will be helping to bring a variety of programs to those affected by HIV/AIDS. I know this is rewarding work -- I was a volunteer once myself!