My Next Era with the Ely Folk School from Lacey Squier

My dear Ely Folk School community,

I’m reaching out with a bittersweet update. My term as the board chairperson of the Ely Folk School has come to an end. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you in this way over the past six years. 

I am forever grateful for taking the Cornish Pasty and Slovenian Walnut Potica classes with Mary Louise Icenhour in the Ely Folk School kitchen in spring and summer 2019. I’ve often said that it was the confidence instilled in me through those experiences that set me up for success as an instructor – something I surely would not have embarked upon were it not for the unique call to action brought about by the pandemic. 

I joined the Ely Folk School board at the invitation of Johnnie Hyde in late fall 2019. Prior to moving to Ely, my career was in higher education; being involved with the Ely Folk School  was a comforting way to stay in touch with that part of me while working part-time as a server at Insula Restaurant. My first responsibility as a board member was to coordinate a silent auction for the holiday party that was traditionally held on the second Saturday of December. 

When the Covid closure era threatened to thwart Ely Folk School programming entirely, I was one of only two board members who knew what Zoom was. As an organization we wanted to demonstrate to our community that we would make a good faith effort to continue to serve our mission in spite of challenges. 

With the help of a roommate I was able to offer a free cooking class from my kitchen via Zoom (biscuits and gravy!). I went on to teach 5 free online cooking classes in the spring of 2020; helping to ensure that folks who had to cancel trips to Ely due to the pandemic were still able to feel connected to our special little town. 

I became board chairperson in February 2021. When our previous board chairperson, Paul Schurke, announced the sunsetting of his tenure as our leader, I raised my hand, because I saw profound potential in the Ely Folk School. I had faith, and continue to have faith, in the infinite possibilities of an educational institution dedicated to lifelong learning for common people like me and you and our neighbors.  

In that same year – 2021 – our board approved taking on a Small Business Association loan, which provided a lifeline for growth. In 2022, then-board member Johnnie Hyde secured a Propel Nonprofits grant that provided us with strategic planning support. During this era we also invested in increasing  staff and staff hours. These were team efforts, and I’m so honored to have been a part of that team. 

There is much about which to be proud, but one thing that stands out to me is the Spring Bonfire – how cool to be a part of helping to make that dream a reality! I still well up with tears of community connection when I think back on memories of hundreds of people gathering at Semer’s Park Beach to honor that special time between the thawing of the lakes and fishing opener. 

I like to think that, as a leader, I emphasized growing our network, empowering our staff, and embracing experimentation. Let us cast a wide net. Let us try and adapt. It has been awe-inspiring to behold what is possible for an organization when volunteers, staff, and board members are genuinely inspired by its mission. 

I have declined to renew my term as a board member, but my commitment to our mission (to build community by providing learning experiences that celebrate the wilderness, heritage, art, history, culture, and craft of the people of northern Minnesota) remains.  I am as passionate as ever about our potential and the positive outcomes that have already come from our hard work. 

In this next era, I am looking forward to teaching more classes. Who knows what I’ll come up with! (But perhaps the Hungarian goulash I made last night will have something to do with it). 

As our board transitions toward a focus on policy, governance, and asset management, it is my honor to pass the baton to a new board chairperson who is uniquely qualified to lead our organization in its new era. 

For now, I wonder if you would do me the honor of making a donation to the Ely Folk School in celebration of where we’ve been, and where we are going as an organization. 

Be well, Lacey