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Blanchet House PICTURES AND PERSONAL BIOS OF
ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS WILL
Of Hospitality APPEAR IN THE NOVEMBER MAILER
340 Northwest Glisan, Portland, Oregon 97209 Telephone 503-478-6664 • Fax 503-222-4071
The Blanchet House
Is ‘Passing The Torch’
After fifty years of helping govern the work of the
Blanchet House of Hospitality and as one of its foun-
ders, I strongly felt that now was the time to 'pass the
torch' to a younger group of men. Most of my fellow
members of the Board of Directors agreed. Most all
of us are in the twilight years of life and getting more
cantankerous . . . if that were at all possible. The con-
cept of bringing younger members onto the board has
been discussed many times in the past and attempts
to implement it were tried. But new members failed
to stay very long because of the overwhelming con-
trol by the older members. A number of us finally “Passing the Torch” — Gene Feltz (right) outgoing president, presents
the gavel to Thom Faller, accepting as new president of the Blanchet.
concluded that this concept would never work and
that a new board composed of mostly younger men Younger Men Join The
should take over immediately upon retirement of the
old board members. As we all believed that the con-
Blanchet House Board
I think that we'd all have to agree that fifty years of
tinuance of the Blanchet House for fifty years was
continual work for the homeless and needy is a very
the work of Divine Providence, it was very prudent
long time. And, that's what the four men who helped
that a group of young men came forward and offered
found the Blanchet House of Hospitality felt. They
to assume the responsibility of continuing the work
decided that it was essential to change the makeup of
of the Blanchet. After considerable debate, discus-
the Blanchet Board with an influx of much younger
sion and hand wringing, 'the torch' was passed on
men. That view was also shared by other older Board
July 1, 2002. On that date the new Board of Directors
members. It was fairly unanimous that the Blanchet
After considerable debate, discussion and hand Board wanted to turn the reins over to younger men.
wringing, 'the torch' was passed on July 1, 2002. It was decided that this transition should be done
over a proper period of time. The composition of the
took over responsibility of continuing the work of new Board would be seven younger men, and seven
Blanchet House into the future. To assist in the men from the present board (four of this seven were
changeover the current officers and two old board the present officers.) A group of younger men, led by
members agreed to serve on the new board for a Dave Gunderson, a former Blanchet member, had
while. The new board members are not strangers to met with these men and discussed the possibility of
Blanchet. Four grew up with Blanchet as sons of old assuming a responsibility with the Blanchet. Many
board members and one is a son-in-law. The others of this group were sons of the present Board, so were
are quite familiar with the work of Blanchet. It is very knowledgeable candidates. In April of this year,
with complete confidence that we 'pass the torch' to an election was held, with unanimous approval of the
these new board members. We old members are not 14 candidates. The list of the new Board is shown
leaving Blanchet. We will continue to pray for elsewhere in this bulletin. On July 1, 2002, the new
Blanchet and assist the new board members in what- Board assumed the reins. At the same election, all
(Continue on page 2) (Continue on page 2)
(Passing the Torch continued from page 1) Four Founding Members…..
ever way we can. We are confident that they will fol- …..New Emeritus Board Members
low the admonition of Christ, which has been our
guiding principal for the past fifty years …
"Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren, that
you do unto me. For I was hungry and you gave me
food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a
stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you
clothed me."
We wish them well!
(Younger Board continued from pg 1)
men who were not elected to the Board, were elected
to an Emeritus Board. These Emeritus members are (left to Right) Dan Christianson, Pat Carr, Gene Feltz, and Jim O’Hanlon.
not planning to 'walk away' from the Blanchet. There Board of Directors
are many ways that they will continue to contribute President ……………….. Thom Faller
their knowledge and experience to the younger men. Vice-President …………. Jim Christianson
Serving on various committees is just one possibil- Treasurer ……………….. John Moore
ity. And all Emeritus members know the importance Secretary ……………….. Bob Wack
of retaining a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.
They will continue to attend Mass and receive Holy Executive Director . Bill Muir
Communion every Saturday morning at St. Mary's
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. After Mass Board Members
they will meet in the Church cafeteria for coffee and Jim Drum Ed O'Hanlon
donuts. The Board of Directors and Executive Direc- Tom Dulcich Dan Petrusich
tor will also be present to keep the Emeritus mem- Steve Feltz Bill Reilly
bers informed of all Blanchet business. Dave Gunderson Rich Ulring
Kim Lusk Pete Van Hoomissen
American Youth
They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three stu- Emeritus Board
dents filing into the already crowded auditorium. Don Broderick Joe Moore
With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional Pat Carr Tom Moore
caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dan Christianson James O'Hanlon
Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and John De Zell Joe Van Gulick
moms freely brushed away tears. This class would Gene Feltz Larry Williams
not pray during the commencements—not by choice
but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. (Youth continued)
The principal and several students were careful to graduating class had found a unique way to invoke
stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. God’s blessing on their future…. With or without
They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, the court’s approval. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one Leave it to our American youth to find a way…..
asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.
The speeches were nice, but they were routine…. Blanchet ‘Get-Well’ List
Until the final speech which received a standing ova- Dave Gunderson, newly elected member of the
tion. A solitary student walked proudly to the micro- Blanchet Board is recuperating from recent bypass
phone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, surgery for heart artery blockage.
and then he delivered his speech…. An astounding And Danny Christianson is undergoing a series of
SNEEZE! The rest of the students rose immediately chemotherapy and radiation treatments. We send our
to their feet, and in unison they said, “GOD BLESS prayers, and ask others to remember these two men
YOU.” The audience exploded into applause. The and others of the Blanchet Family who have suffered
(Continued next page) medical setbacks.
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