By Executive Director Jenn Meeropol
Almost exactly three years ago, on Friday, March 13th 2020, I emailed the RFC Board to let them know that we were closing the RFC office for two weeks due to COVID-19. I reassured Board members that we had forwarded our work phone numbers to our cells, planned to meet via FaceTime and had a schedule in place to collect the mail and monitor the office while working remotely. I shared my assessment that we could operate that way for a week or two but that I wasn’t sure how we would deal with a lengthier shutdown if one became necessary. I didn’t mention Zoom or pivoting to a permanent remote or hybrid structure or new Google Voice options or many other terms that have become part of our vocabulary over the last few years.
I don’t think any of us could have predicted that three years later, we would still be dealing with the pandemic and working in a hybrid mode. While the transition has not been painless or without miscues, we've managed to make the best of our hybrid work environment and the staff and Board have functioned relatively smoothly. Some of our processes have changed, but we continue to work collaboratively, conduct Board meetings, award and process grants, communicate with beneficiaries and donors and even convene some virtual programming to try to stay connected with our community.
Email remains the easiest way to reach us. We also have several new Google Voice phone numbers, check mail and messages at the office frequently and have maintained a presence on social media and our redesigned website (see contact info box). The pain and uncertainty of the last few years has been significant; through it all I am so grateful for the patience, flexibility and grace of all the members of our community as we navigate these difficult, uncertain times to continue to stand with targeted activist families.
Contact Info:
Granting questions/issues: Cleo Rohn (granting@rfc.org, 508-275-2258)
Communications/donation or general questions: Rachel Harb (info@rfc.org, 413-239-2711)
To reach Executive Director Jenn Meeropol: jenn@rfc.org or 413-239-2711
Facebook: /rosenbergfundforchildren
Twitter: @wwwrfcorg
Instagram: @wwwrfcorg