The Legacy Of A Standard Of Excellence

After 31 Years And Countless Success Stories, E. Kim Rhim Will Turn The Baton Of Leadership Over To The Next Leader. In This Announcement Of Her Retirement, Rhim Reflects On The Accomplishments Of The Training Source And Plans For The Future.

The following is written by Ms Rhim:

This year, I have spent a significant amount of time reflecting on The Training Source’s 31-year history. I become emotional when I realize all that we’ve accomplished and all the lives we have impacted. With partners and supporters like you, The Training Source has served more than 42,000 individuals since 1993. Despite the recession and pandemic, we have sustained our operations and skillfully managed our annual budget which is currently $635,000. We have re-engineered our staffing model to employ full-time and part-time staff members, contractual employees, consultants and outsourced service providers for the programs and operations functions at The Training Source. I’m personally proud of our accomplishments and extremely proud to have earned and maintained the prestigious Standard of Excellence® accreditation and Candid® Platinum rating for operating at the highest level of ethics and accountability. We really are engineered for excellence!

At this time, after 31 years of serving as the Founder & Executive Director of The Training Source, I have announced my retirement to the Board of the Directors, and we have begun the search for the next leader of this fine nonprofit organization. After assisting with the smooth transition of leadership for The Training Source, I plan to spend some time resting to replenish, for I have truly dedicated my life to the success of this organization. Most importantly, this transition will allow me to embrace my new role as Grandmother-In-Chief.

Since my retirement announcement, The Board of Directors has engaged in an intensive process to build additional internal infrastructure to ensure The Training Source’s success long after my retirement. Throughout this transition I’ll still be around The Training Source, continuing to facilitate classes when needed and applying my experience as the founder in service to the Board of Directors when requested. Additionally, this will open space for me to pursue other personal goals and professional desires as a transformational coach using innovative approaches to build capacity in businesses and promote movements that benefit the common good.

My last day as Executive Director was initially scheduled to be December 31st. However, we will officially announce my retirement date after completing the search for my successor. After my official retirement, I’ll be taking a Sabbatical to restore, replenish, seek inspiration, and most importantly serve as Grandmother-In-Chief to my two new grandsons who have changed my life and priorities.

The past 31 years have allowed me to work closely with so many professionals, groups and organizations, in short-term and long-term capacities. My life is richer because of these experiences. I invite you to reach out for coffee, a walk, or a quick email, as I’d love to hear what this transition means to you as well as any questions you might have for me.

As I draft this note, I recall so many faces, so many tears, so many brave steps we’ve all taken; our anxious conversations throughout the recession and the COVID-19 pandemic; bold projects and many successful partnerships. I count founding and sustaining The Training Source as one of my greatest life accomplishments and it never would have been possible without community, without you – board members, staff, consultants, funders and donors, elected officials, partners, vendors, program participants, families, neighbors, and more. I truly believe that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Good things have continuously happened, even when failure or tragedy seemed certain. There was a blessing in every lesson that led us to where we are today.

As mentioned previously, this transition process has been in the works since the beginning of this year and many leaders and stakeholders of The Training Source are busy at work with me planning for what the new year has in store. The Board of Directors has engaged with Creative Mindset Consulting to launch a nationwide search for the next Executive Director. I would kindly ask that you review the job positing here and share within your networks. It is our hope that a new Executive Director will be named by the end of this year.

Once a new Executive Director has been named, The Training Source will conduct a series of meet and greet events with the next Executive Director. The Board of Directors is developing a support plan to fully integrate the new Executive Director into The Training Source family.

It is with deep gratitude, hopeful anticipation, some sadness, and an overall sense of right-timing that I extend three debts of gratitude: to those who invested time, talent or treasure in our early years as we developed into a credible and impactful nonprofit organization; to those who are supporting our current-day work in the DMV in any capacity; and to those who have trusted us to provide what they needed to achieve their goals and whose lives are richer as a result. My vision is that The Training Source is here to stay and the best is yet to come.

With Gratitude,

E. Kim Rhim

Founder & Executive Director