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Search on for new United Way director

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Trish Bennett, Editor

CIRCLEVILLE – The search is on for a new executive director for the United Way of Pickaway County following the resignation of long-time director Michele Lanman.

Lanman’s 15-year tenure as head of the agency will come to an end July 1.

Jama Cobb, UWPC board president, said applications are currently being accepted, and the board hopes to have a new director in place by Aug. 1.

United Way’s mission, she said, focuses on uniting resources and people to improve the lives of Pickaway County citizens while focusing on the community’s needs. UWPC emphasizes initiatives that help children and youth reach their potential, provide financial stability and independence, improve people’s health and resolve crisis situations. The agency also focuses on programs that provide educational and mentoring components to strengthen families and invest in local youth.

Programs currently supported by United Way of Pickaway County are the Pickaway Senior Center (Alzheimer’s respite and home-delivered meals); Southern Central Ohio Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Haven House (domestic violence advocacy and transitional housing advocacy); PICCA (free tax clinic, Head Start behavior support, homeless prevention and Wheels to Work); Berger Health Foundation (palliative care); Pickaway Addiction Action Coalition; Pickaway County Family YMCA (preschool, Y Club and Summer Fun Club); Emergency Clearing House Food Pantry; Simon Kenton Council-Boy Scouts of America; and Circleville City Schools Foundation.

Information on applying for the executive director position can be found here. The deadline for applications is July 10.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Michele for her years of dedicated service to this great community,” Cobb said of Lanman’s time as director. “Michele loves Pickaway County, and that was evident in everything she accomplished in her role.”

The board accepted Lanman’s resignation at a special meeting held June 19.

In her letter of resignation, Lanman said she wishes only the best for the United Way of Pickaway County, its board and its partners as they accomplish great things for the community, but it was time for her to move on and explore other options and opportunities.

Looking back, Lanman said the major change she saw as head of the local agency is its transformation from a funding source to a true community impact organization through partnerships with other local agencies and organizations.

“We were able to really reach out and bring resources together and make changes in the community,” Lanman said. “We are such a small community and such a small United Way, but when I really sat down and thought about it, it makes the most sense. Where the funds are more limited, if you can’t come together and work together, you’re really just working against each other.”

Another major source of pride during her 15 years of service, Lanman said, is the development of Team KA (Kindness Always), the youth board for UWPC.

Team KA is a self-funded program of the local United Way agency that engages fellow youth through community service days, youth fun and game nights, golf outings, teen dances, awareness campaigns, educational programming and more.

“It encourages our youth to become leaders,” Lanman said. “I think the younger you get them started, the more apt they will be to be engaged in the community when they get older.”

Team KA, she said, has not only made an impact in Pickaway County but also has become a model for other United Way agencies throughout the state.

This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal