After six years of dedicated service, Lorna George is stepping away from her role as Treasurer on the Carman Wellness Connections (CWC) Board of Directors. Throughout her time with CWC, Lorna has contributed financial expertise, thoughtful leadership and a strong commitment to creating lasting community change.
Her contributions extend beyond budgets and financial reports. Lorna has also helped shape CWC’s approach to addressing poverty and building a stronger, more supportive community.
Learning, Listening and Making a Difference
When Lorna first joined CWC, she admits she had much to learn. “I didn’t know how much I didn’t understand about poverty and its effects in general, and how poverty affected my own community,” she shared.
That willingness to listen, learn and ask questions became one of her greatest strengths.
As an accountant, Lorna brought valuable financial expertise to CWC. However, she soon discovered that addressing complex community challenges requires people with different perspectives, experiences and skills. “Someone said they needed my skills,” she recalled. “I realized that there is a variety of knowledge needed to work on these issues and that I could be of use to the organization.”
And useful she was.
Six Years of Financial Leadership
Throughout her six years on the CWC Board, Lorna helped guide financial reporting, budgeting and organizational decisions. As Treasurer, she also developed financial systems and records that will support future planning. “As an accountant, I am happy to be leaving a set of records that is useful for future financial planning,” she said.
However, Lorna’s contributions extend well beyond the financial side of the organization. “As a board member, I feel I have been part of a group that has made some very effective changes in how our community handles the many challenges of poverty, and created a good base for the ongoing work to be done by new board members.”
For Lorna, meaningful community work involves more than addressing immediate needs. It also means creating sustainable solutions that make a difference over time. “You will be part of a forward-thinking organization committed to addressing the immediate effects of poverty while, most importantly, creating lasting solutions to break the cycle, creating long-term change in people’s lives.”
She also encourages future board members to embrace opportunities to learn. “Ask questions!” she advises. “I had almost no real experience dealing with poverty, but I received lots of support to better understand the issues.”
Beyond the Boardroom
Outside of her work with CWC, Lorna enjoys yoga, perhaps a fitting balance to her analytical work as an accountant. She’s also proud of returning to school as an adult with three young children to earn her Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation.
That accomplishment reflects the perseverance and determination she has brought to her personal life, career and community involvement.
Looking Ahead: Building Lasting Solutions
As Lorna concludes her board service, she remains hopeful about CWC’s future. In particular, she would like to see progress on affordable housing and stronger collaboration between organizations working toward similar goals.
“I would love to see us build affordable housing with various groups involved in this mission under one roof,” she said.
That vision emerged through CWC’s strategic planning process and reflects her belief in working together to address community challenges.
Ultimately, Lorna hopes for a future where organizations like CWC are no longer needed because communities have the systems and supports necessary to prevent poverty from creating barriers.
Despite the challenges involved in this work, Lorna looks back on her six years with CWC with appreciation.
Asked to describe her experience in just a few words, she chose three:
“Informative, inspiring and fun.”
Lorna, thank you for six years of dedication, thoughtful leadership and countless hours of work behind the scenes. Your financial expertise, willingness to learn and commitment to lasting change have helped strengthen Carman Wellness Connections.
You’ve helped build a foundation that will support CWC and our community for years to come.