On Servant Leadership....

A servant leader can be defined as someone that:

… believes their primary mission is to serve the needs of their constituents;

…measures their effectiveness in terms of their ability to help others and not just a bottom line;

…sees themselves as working for the group as a whole instead of seeking individual recognition;

…is self sacrificing and humble, always using their talents to help elevate a group;

…is one that not only develops budgets and strategic plans but also helps to develop people, giving them an opportunity to gain new skills and shine in their own way;

While this definition describes every Down Syndrome Indiana board member, there is one in particular that I would like to recognize and that is current DSI board President, Steve Simpson. Steve has been President since 2005 and announced his desire to resign from the Presidency earlier this year. During his term, the organization has come incredibly far! I remember being present at a board meeting several years ago when the question was raised that if IDSF were a car and you looked under the hood, would you really see a well oiled/ well maintained vehicle? Or, might you be disappointed with what you saw? I don’t have the answer to that question but, I am so proud to say that if that question were posed today, the answer would be an easy, we may not be a fine tuned machine yet but we are certainly always striving for constant improvement to reach that ultimate goal of excellence! Steve, has taken us from the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation to Down Syndrome Indiana and what we are today. Where there was not one before, we now have a clear mission to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our strategic plan serves as the roadmap for the work that staff does. An organized internal structure, an amazing working/ functioning and evolving board, as well as the best volunteers any organization could ask for, serve as our compass. Our programs and successful events, like our Holiday Party and Summer Picnic, where families come together and make needed connections serve as the vehicle to get us where we want to go. In short, Steve has helped develop DSI into a sound and professionally run organization that truly believes in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. He is absolutely to be commended for everything he has done. So, to my mentor, my coach, my supervisor and my friend, ….. Thank you!

During the November board meeting, our board voted in a new President, Jeff Huffman, that will take office beginning January 1st, 2010.

Steve, again you are leaving us in a place that is much better than when you joined it. In my opinion, that is the true mark of a leader. It is my hope that DSI can continue the legacy and the charge that you are leaving with us.

Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,

Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director