When I was on summer staff at Camp Gravatt in the 90s, I had no idea the work that really went on behind the scenes to keep things running. Being a positive role model, creating memorable experiences, and keeping campers Numero Uno (while also having a blast) was my focus. After graduating college, starting a career, and moving away for a while, the call of my second home pulled me back to that special place in the woods. Eventually, I was asked to join the Board of Trustees and that’s when I truly began to understand all the innerworkings of Gravatt. There is a web of people – staff, volunteers, alumni, vendors, community members – who contribute to the success of Gravatt Camp and Conference Center.
The Board of Trustees is a group of 11 volunteers who are the governing body of Gravatt; who are trusted with “the management of the business and affairs” of the organization. You don’t have to be a former staff member, camper, or conference attendee to be a member of the Board. However, several of our members have a personal connection, whether it’s through their own experience, through their church, or through their children. Board members serve terms of 3 years and can serve two terms in a row before taking at least a one-year break. We have 4 official board meetings each calendar year, including an overnight retreat during the summer. Meetings are when we get to hear from Scott and his staff about what is going on with Gravatt. Some things are fun such as the incredible events we host and the amazing summer campers experience, while some things aren’t so exciting such as facilities upgrades or maintenance. But all of it is important to health and wellbeing of Gravatt.
Each member is vital to the effectiveness of the Board. We look for strengths that could help Gravatt. For instance, I’m a human resources professional, so I tend to offer HR advice/guidance to Scott and his staff. We’ve had financial, construction project management, non-profit, pastoral, and other types of professionals who bring their expertise to better the organization. Generally, we provide guidance and perspective to the Gravatt staff. There are certain actions that require a vote from the board; we take our responsibility very seriously, since actions we take can have lasting impacts. Thoughtfully, we work to keep our traditions firmly planted, while also looking to the future to secure our longevity.
Gravatt has grown tremendously in the last 75 years. Please take a look at our latest Impact Report to get an idea of all the exciting things we have accomplished. But even with all of the growth – which at times may bring physical changes – the heart of Gravatt is still the same: a community; a sanctuary; a place we can all run home to.
Shalom,
Jenny Buck
Chair, Gravatt Board of Trustees