Above, left to right: Joyce Ligi, Eileen Walker, Bill Wyman, and Theresa Santoro
Comes a time when the contributions and history of a volunteer are so significant, and so valued, that a special designation is due to express the gratitude and depth the organization feels for that individual.
This month, RVNAhealth bestowed a special honor, and brand new title, on two cherished members of our Board, who have steered and served RVNAhealth with intelligence, wisdom, and deep affection for many decades. They are Joyce Ligi and Bill Wyman and they are now RVNAhealth’s very first Directors Emeritus.
The honor was presented at the RVNAhealth Annual Meeting on December 1 by Board Chair, Eileen Walker, who introduced the new role and lauded the contributions of Joyce and Bill. “RVNAhealth has benefited from long-standing volunteer support in the communities it serves,” she began. “Passionate community members who give their time, talent and treasure to the organization — some for years, others for decades — to assist in promoting and executing RVNAhealth’s mission.
“Past directors and officers of the Board who have served RVNAhealth in extraordinary ways are eligible for recognition with the appointment of Director Emeritus. Those nominated for this honor have made a distinct mark on the agency through their leadership. They are individuals who have led RVNAhealth to greater success in delivering on its mission and securing the agency for the future.”
Joyce Ligi and Bill Wyman fit this bill. Joyce became involved with RVNAhealth in 1977, and Bill has been actively involved with the agency for nearly two decades. Both served two terms as Chair of the Board (Joyce from 1997-2001 and Bill from 2005-2009) in addition to holding other roles and serving on a breadth of Board committees.
During her tenure, Joyce Ligi initiated a semi-annual newsletter, established the Annual Meeting dinner, and the Nightingale Award, and worked on the Centennial committee. Over the years, she also served on the Finance committee and chaired the Development committee. Joyce has played a key role in outreach to Ridgefield and neighboring communities served by RVNAhealth, even recruiting her mother, Dana Casavecchia, to our volunteer ranks.
As a former Chair of the Board, Bill Wyman is largely credited with transforming RVNAhealth into a highly competitive 21st century business in a dynamic market, never compromising the mission or values. Since finishing his terms as Board Chair, Bill has served continually on Board committees — including Finance, Technology, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Audit — offering extraordinary hands-on value and insights.
In their role as Directors Emeritus, Joyce Ligi and Bill Wyman may continue to serve on Board committees, as well as attend Board meetings, with no vote and no responsibilities or, as Eileen Walker, explained it: “You can wreak havoc on the Board and committees for as long as you like!” Sincere and passionate for decades, Joyce Ligi and Bill Wyman have certainly earned this privilege and we are forever grateful, and better, for their service.
