Camp Fire USA Elects O'Connor As National Board President

Camp Fire Boys and Girls
Monday, 26 November 2001

Judith (Judy) O'Connor, Washington, DC, took office as National Board President of Camp Fire USA on November 3. O'Connor was elected to this national voluntary leadership role at the organization's convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 1-3.

"Camp Fire USA is an organization undergoing significant and research-driven change with a new brand and image awareness campaign and a unique, family-focused flagship program, Community Family Club. Its major fundraising effort, Children First: Camp Fire USA's Campaign for the 21st Century, will assure our growth and long-term success," said O'Connor.

O'Connor succeeds outgoing national board president, Rosie Mauk, who diligently worked to advance Camp Fire USA's mission for the past two years, while also spearheading the organization's capital and capacity building campaign. Mauk is the newly confirmed Director of AmeriCorps.

During the convention, the organization celebrated successful steps toward realizing a strategic plan focused on growth in image, resources and participation. Comments O'Connor, "I strongly believe in and support our new vision, and am confident that 'Camp Fire USA' and our new Community Family Club program will make their way into every American household."

"We're honored to elect Judy to this prestigious position," said Stewart J. Smith, National Chief Executive Officer, Camp Fire USA. "She possesses the experience and drive necessary to head our organization's national board of trustees, which is dedicated to our goal of serving one million youth and families by 2005."

O'Connor is currently President and CEO of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards. Previous positions held by O'Connor include Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council on Foundations and Associate National Executive Director of the American Bar Association. Prior to these positions, O'Connor directed the American Samoa Justice Planning Agency and also held several positions in the U.S. Department of Justice. O'Connor serves on the board of the University of Michigan Ginsberg Center and the advisory board of the Harvard Business School Initiative on Social Enterprise.

O'Connor's professional and philanthropic achievements have earned her such honors as being named one of the nation's "Top 50" nonprofit leaders by The Nonprofit Times.

O'Connor said of her new position, "As we all strive for the betterment of America's youth, I pledge to lead the Camp Fire USA national board and staff in achieving our three strategic goals of growth in image, participation and resources and to deliver on our mission to build caring, confident youth and future leaders."

Camp Fire USA is one of the nation's leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, serving over 650,000 participants annually. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire, with national headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, provides all-inclusive, coeducational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Camp Fire USA's mission is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. By design, Camp Fire's programs, including small group experiences, after school programs, camping and environmental education, child care and service learning, build confidence in younger children and provide hands-on, youth-driven leadership experiences for older youth.

For more information, or to contact Camp Fire Boys and Girls, see their website at: www.campfire.org