2011 June

June 21, 2011:
The National Students of AMF Support Network is pleased to announce that we have received 88 applicants for our Executive Director position. We have a 7-member Search Committee that has begun to narrow that pool down. We plan to have the next Executive Director decided on by the middle of July.

He or she will be responsible for programming, fundraising and day-to-day management of the organization in Raleigh, NC. Incorporated in 2006, the organization’s mission is to provide support to college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one. The organization helps students start Campus Chapters, provides information and grief support through www.studentsofamf.org, and raises awareness about college student grief through programs nationwide. Experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and volunteer management is essential for success in this role. This is a unique opportunity to create a legacy within this vibrant, young organization.

May 25, 2011: After meeting with over 25 community leaders in the Raleigh-Durham area, the Governance committee selected eight dynamic, passionate leaders to join our existing seven Board of Directors members.

These new members include:

• George Apelian
• Autumn Qiu
• Alison Anderson
• Kit McConnell
• Ramona Ivy
• Tony Talerico
• Allan From
• Gary Park

Go to: http://www.studentsofamf.org/about/our-team/board-of-directors/ to read more about these members.

June 10, 2011: Five years ago, Ben Chesson and I’s dream to develop a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting college students nationwide who were grieving the illness or death of a loved one became a reality. Since that time, we have worked with students from over 160 colleges and universities to start chapters, we have developed 37 official Campus Chapters, and our groups have changed the lives of thousands of young people in need.

Recently, we have had even more change. Our first, full-time Executive Director stepped down in April. During her tenure, she significantly strengthened the organization’s infrastructure, opened our first office (that wasn’t my college door room!), and expanded chapters to 11 new campuses. I have been fortunate to have my health improve significantly over the last couple of months and was thrilled to be able to take over her duties as the current interim Executive Director two months ago along with starting back with my duties as Board Chair.

Good news: I have been out of the hospital since February 15, off of chemotherapy since April 18, and continue to feel better and better every day! I am planning to return to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in August! I will continue to receive an experimental, targeted treatment every three weeks, indefinitely. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidfajgenbaum for more information.

I have spent much of the last several months recruiting, vetting and selecting 8 new members to our Board of Directors. Also, we have created a Search Committee, developed a search plan, and are pleased to begin a search for the next Executive Director this week. Please visit http://www.studentsofamf.org/about/our-team/edsearch/ for more information about the new position in the next couple of days.

Thank you for being such a special part of our work for the past five years and for years to come!

David Fajgenbaum
Co-Founder, Interim Executive Director & Board Chair
National Students of AMF