I’m Leaving the Wren’s Nest in September
The title pretty much says it all. I’ve accepted a job in Chicago, and they’ve graciously allowed me to phase out my duties here until just after the Decatur Book Festival.
When I started at the Wren’s Nest, my objective was to turn the organization around. Recall:
- • We didn’t have a website.
- • We didn’t have a brochure.
- • We had $112,000 in various debts to 19 different creditors.
- • We were only performing the Brer Rabbit stories 6 times per year.
- • We didn’t have any other programming.
- • The house — a National Historic Landmark — was kind of falling apart.
Today’s organization is very different from what I found in 2006.
- • We have a website courtesy of Lampe-Farley Communications. We also have a Facebook page and a Twitter account.
- • We have a sweet brochure courtesy of Huey + Partners.
- • We have only 1 debt now, and it’s a lot less than $112,000.
- • We performed the Brer Rabbit stories over 225 times each of the past 2 years.
- • We have a summer publishing program and are kicking off a middle school writing program next week.
- • We’ve put about $200,000 of work into the house.
Plus, people now know that the Wren’s Nest exists, which is helpful in terms of our survival.
In short, I felt like it was okay to start looking around for other jobs in fields where I’m better suited. I’ll always be involved at the Wren’s Nest in some capacity, but there are folks much better qualified for my position.
Over the next few months I’ll be working very closely with our board to develop a succession plan. Of course, I’ll keep y’all posted throughout the process.
It’s a little premature to thank y’all, but I want you to know that this blog and its readers have been such a great source of inspiration over the past few years. The Wren’s Nest is much better for your help, your comments, and your involvement. And I’m much saner for being able to have an outlet like this one.
So, thank you very much everyone. I really appreciate your help in making this organization viable again.
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Amber Suitt
Program Director
Lain Shakespeare
Executive Director
15 Comments to I’m Leaving the Wren’s Nest in September
Lain:
Congratulations on the new opportunity! But we will miss you being in the middle of the Atlanta cultural organization scene. You have done a masterful job at the Wren’s Nest, and lots of us are grateful to you for that time and work.
Laura
Say it ain’t so Joe..er…Lain! Wow..the blog won’t be the same without ya. Does this also mean that Amelia is leaving too? I have to say though, I have heard other folks tell me that Chicago is awesome, so that’s cool for you. Best of luck!
Welcome to Chicago! Who is the new job with, if I may ask?
Head swim coach of Evanston Township High School. Go Wildkits!
You dog! My heart stopped for a second.
I heard that the real reason you are leaving is because you did not agree with the board’s decision to nominate the Wren’s Nest for inclusion in the National Trust’s old urbanist experiment.
That had me for a second. It reminds me of this great joke I heard once: http://bit.ly/b0AePo
If you say this isn’t an April Fools thing, I’ll reach across the internets and slap you! Actually… either reply will have the same outcome.
Lain,
I think you did an excellent job at the Wren’s Nest and will surely be missed! If a small museum in Meadville, Pennsylvania can find your website, send off an email, and receive a plethora of help from a museum half a country away- that says quite a bit about their leader, his vision, and just how far away people can be and still be considered “neighbors.” Good luck!
Joshua
Uh huh
Amazing accomplishments though. You should be very proud, Lain.
Lain – this has been the best week of blog posts in a long time. Please keep up the good work, as today I have tried to jump out of the 31st floor windows three times. Work is so boring.
I can’t believe you posted swim coach for Evanston over swim coach for New Trier. Do you have any decency or respect? Double insult today, Lain (and Amy).
My heart really skipped a beat as I read this today instead of yesterday. Good one.
[...] Fools’, y’all. I appreciate the kind words though, both in the comments and on our Facebook [...]
Whatever, Lain. Did you remember to wipe the excrement off the seat after you were done typing that?
Seriously, your April Fool’s jokes aren’t funny and last year’s “announcement” of Disney’s Song of the South being released was very offensive as many people including myself have been waiting and hoping for the release of the classic movie.