their dedicated
volunteer contributions in 2009.
According to Tom
Kenworthy, NELL chairman, “Walt Mills has been on the board of directors and
the co-chair of the NELL Preservation Committee for over nine years. More
importantly, he is one of NELL’s founding fathers, joining the group on
11/8/98, as NELL member # 7. Walt was also an active member of Faulkner’s
Light Brigade and their board of directors.”
“If you know Walt
Mills, then you know how quiet and unassuming he is. Walt will probably take
me to task for saying this, but about three years ago, when the position of
NELL membership Chair became available, I received an email from him
offering to volunteer for the position. In that email, Walt stated he had a
very good knowledge of the software Excel, which is one of the priorities
for the job.”
“To be honest, I
had some reservations about appointing Walt as Membership Chair due to the
vision challenges he has. Then I thought to myself, ‘Walt wouldn’t volunteer
for something he didn’t feel he could accomplish,’ so I told him I would
nominate him to the Board, and thanked him for volunteering. The Board
approved Walt’s nomination and the rest is history.”
“Of Walt’s many
accomplishments as Membership Chair, one was the extensive overhaul, update,
and improvement of NELL’s membership roster. Walt also designed NELL’s
membership application, directory and renewal notice.”
“Many NELL members
are unaware that Walt took it upon himself to go through old rosters,
compiling a list of the ‘lost members.’ He then composed a letter and sent
it along with the newly designed membership application, which reflected
NELL’s many accomplishments, and asked if they would like to rejoin.”
“Walt received
many positive responses to his letter and NELL gained several ‘new’ members
because of his efforts.”
“Walter, you are
doing and outstanding job and I – no, we all, thank you for your dedication
and commitment to NELL and lighthouse preservation.”
Posted: 11/21/2009
