A Message from Ned Holstein, M.D., M.S.,
Chairman of the Board
Ned Holstein |
It is with equal measures of regret and optimism that I announce Glenn Sacks’ decision to resign his post as Executive Director of Fathers and Families. Fathers and Families grew faster during the past three years under Glenn’s leadership than it has at any point since I helped found it 14 years ago. To my personal regret, Glenn has decided to move on. (see Glenn’s statement below).
Beginning five years ago, I sat with Glenn and his family in his California back yard, trying to cajole him into joining Fathers and Families. I knew I was talking to a special talent. As a journalist and blogger, Glenn had amassed the biggest audience in the world on gender-related issues as seen from the male point of view, including reform of the family courts. He wrote and spoke with precision, a solid grasp of the facts, balance, and with respect for both men and women.
It was a wonderful day for Fathers and Families when he eventually agreed to become Executive Director. With Glenn at the helm, we were
able to develop a two-pronged attack on gender bias and injustice in
the family courts: 1) the “air war,” using the media to
create an identifiable national brand-name organization for family
court reform; and 2) the “ground war,” working with volunteers and financial contributors to develop chapters in as many states as
possible. As a result, we now have affiliated chapters in
Massachusetts, Ohio, and California, and Working Groups in half a
dozen other states, with more on the drawing boards.
Glenn, this organization will miss you, as will I. We still have a long way to go, but you have helped build the engine that will get us there.
Rita Fuerst Adams
|
I also approach this transition with optimism. The Board of Directors has appointed Rita Fuerst Adams as our new Executive Director. Rita has been an invaluable behind-the-scenes advisor to Fathers and Families since 2003. She knows our operations, personnel, and issues backwards and forwards. She has already proven herself a
hard-driving, tireless leader, a relentless organizer, and an inspiring
motivator. Now she makes the transition to Executive Director.
A native of Ohio and current resident of Boston, Rita has more than twenty-five years’ experience in not-for-profit management, organizational development, and fundraising. She has served many charitable and philanthropic organizations, created and built affiliates of national organizations, and established fundraising programs. Rita also teaches a course on Entrepreneurship for Nonprofits at Wheelock College in Boston. She is the author of several articles and the editor of a book on fundraising regulations and laws. She holds an MBA from Capital University and a BS in Journalism from Ohio University.
Rita has had the opportunity to work with our Directors, affiliates, contributors, and members. Rita said, “Fathers and Families has the most committed and dedicated volunteers I have ever had the honor to work with and serve. I look forward to working even more closely with them.”
She said that one of the sweetest phrases she has heard after speaking with many people who contact Fathers and Families is “I finally saw my children.” She hopes to hear this more often.
When asked why she accepted the position as ExecutiveDirector, Rita responded, “I believe Fathers and Families is poised to bring about fundamental social change. We are opening doors with our simple message of shared parenting and gender equality, with equal rights and responsibilities for fathers and mothers. We will make this the norm and the expectation in every state. I believe anything less penalizes innocent children.”
As we make this transition, we wish Glenn the very best in all future endeavors, while we step forward into a promising future with Rita.
For those of you who wish to communicate with Glenn or thank him for his service, the email address GlennSacks@FathersandFamilies.org will no longer reach him. He should be emailed at Glenn@GlennSacks.com.
Ned Holstein, MD, MS
Chairman of the Board
Boston,
Massachusetts
Moving On
Glen Sacks |
After three years of serving as Executive Director of Fathers and Families and 11 years of working to correct the injustices of our family court system, I have decided to move on.
I am proud of what Fathers and Families has accomplished. When I became Executive Director in January of 2009, Fathers and Families was primarily a Massachusetts organization. Since then we have become a national force, with tens of thousands of supporters throughout the US and abroad.
Our accomplishments during these three years include:
- Helping pass 11 family court reform bills in six states, and helping block numerous harmful ones
- Garnering 350 separate media mentions, including three dozen opinion columns and placements in numerous major media outlets
- Waging 15 protest campaigns or campaigns in support of legislation, the overwhelming majority of them successful
- Working in the face of a terrible economy to make our 2009 and 2010 revenues greatly exceed those of 2008, and make 2011 our best fundraising year ever.
Fathers and Families is stronger than ever, and I urge all of you to continue to support its growth.
The email address GlennSacks@FathersandFamilies.org will no longer reach me — my current email address is Glenn@GlennSacks.com.
Together with you in the love of our children,
Glenn Sacks, MA
National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families (January 2009-January 2012) |
