Renewed HOPE & Gratitude

Members now have significant reasons to hope after the election held April 17, 2024, and the recent transition in management and on the Board of Directors.

April 17, 2024, Election: The election was a significant step by a great number of members who joined together to return the Swedish Club to a member-centered community devoted to Swedish and Nordic culture. 

As you already know, over 150 voting members attended the Annual Meeting on April 17 drawn by the hope for the future. This was an outstanding turnout! 

Change in Executive Director:   President Langdon Miller has informed the members that the Executive Director and the Board of Directors have parted ways and that three Board members have resigned. Langdon and the rest of the current Board of Directors all appear to be appropriately circumspect and courteous about the overall situation.  Let's bid the former Executive Director farewell and wish her all the best.

Neither speculating about the circumstances nor mongering gossip about any of these changes will benefit our organization. Such activity only hinders the essential collaborative Nordic spirit that sustains us.

It is simply time to move on.  The Swedish Club has existed for 132 years. Let's embrace the future of the Club's phenomenal presence in Seattle as we celebrate 2025.  As  Langdon recently announced in his "Board President's Letter" published in the December Swedish Club News, the Club will have a new Executive Director, Jenny Iverson, in early January.  Meanwhile, as announced by Langdon, Stina Cowan is our Interim Executive Director for this end-of-year transition.  Langdon described Jenny Iverson and Stina Cowan as a "dream team."  Indeed!

Members have renewed hope that we will all have meaningful opportunities to voice concerns, have our questions answered, and our suggestions thoughtfully considered.

Members have renewed hope that the bylaws will be amended to assure that the nominating and election process will be fair. Langdon has told the members in the Swedish Club News that an active Governance and Bylaws Committee is working on the issues in its efforts to recommend specific revisions to the current bylaws. 

Members have renewed hope that we will receive sufficient financial information. 

Members have renewed hope that many cultural groups, singing and traditional dancing, will return to the Club and will be warmly supported by the Club and the Swedish Club Foundation.

Members have renewed hope that former members will return and bridges will be built within the larger community.

TACK SÅ MYCKET!

Thank you, members who voted in April!  Thank you for continuing to speak up and speak out. 

Thank you, volunteers! Thanks to all volunteers who continue in traditional roles and those who have stepped up to help with the transition process.  Please keep up your great work!

Thank you, Langdon and the Board of Directors, for leadership and the courage to make difficult decisions!   You have demonstrated that you are doing your jobs with integrity, kindness, dignity and grace, and in the best interest of the Club.

Thank you, Stina Cowan, for accepting the awesome responsibility as the Interim Executive Director!  You will take us past winter solstice and into the light-lengthening days as the Club transitions to the new permanent Executive Director,  Jenny Iverson, early in 2025.  Tack, Tack!