The Village Green Board of Directors recently announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Director Ann Self effective in December. Self is the founding executive and has led the organization since 2012.
“It has been such an honor to serve The Village Green and the Cashiers community,” said Self. “I am proud of all that the organization has accomplished, and I will be leaving The Village Green in a greater position to propel forward into the future. I am humbled to know so many generous donors and dedicated volunteers, including board members, who help achieve our mission. I am looking forward to spending more time with family as well as pursuing new creative opportunities. I am also hoping to be more involved as a volunteer in this community.”
Ann Self rides on a Cashiers-Glennville Volunteer Fire Department truck in the Cashiers Christmas Parade in 2018. Read more HERE.
Self added that 2020 was a challenging year, but thanks to a supportive community The Village Green will continue to thrive.
“While 2020 presented difficulties and obstacles to overcome, it has been so gratifying to see what a vital place The Village Green is for people to experience rest, recreation, and renewal in numerous and diverse ways,” she said. “Because of the generosity of the community, reimagined fundraising events and several local grants, we have endured and are currently in a stable position for further recovery and growth. I am confident that The Village Green will continue to thrive under new leadership.”
From left are a Joiner from MoreSun Timber Frames, The Village Green Executive Director Ann Self, and VG Board Chair Joe Thompson riding a scissor lift to place a wreath at the highest point of the timber frame for the new Commons at the Topping Out ceremony on April 4, 2019. Read more HERE.
Self’s achievements while leading The Village Green is substantial. Among them are the annual Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting that started in 2012 and was enhanced with the addition of the holiday Village Lights last year. Thousands of lights were on display for the 2020 season.
Another addition during her tenure began when Jackson County cut funding for July 4th fireworks displays. In 2013, The Village Green stepped up to initiate the annual community Independence Day celebration, Fireworks Extravaganza On the Green.
After the Gobble on the Green 5K was finished in 2019, a family from South Carolina showed up to the race late. To save a child from utter disappointment, Ann Self set up an entirely new race with starting buzzers, megaphones, cheering, timers, the works; all so this family could enjoy the day at The Village Green. Pictured above is the boy and his father crossing the finish line with Self cheering away. Read more HERE.
Many capital improvements were also made during Self’s time as executive director. Four new gardens have been installed in the park, adding beautiful spaces to enjoy when visiting The Village Green. The newest of these, a butterfly garden has been donated and will be dedicated when it is complete.
A StoryWalk was added this spring. This project to display the pages of a children’s book with interactive activities throughout the park has been a community collaboration to foster reading and recreation with families and children.
From left are Anna Crespo, Kat Ford, and Ann Self at the dedication to the StoryWalk at The Village Green. Read more HERE.
Self has also been instrumental in the park venue expansion with the opening of The Village Green Commons Hall, the 5,400 square foot cultural events and community activities building.
“The vision has been to provide an indoor gathering space for additional civic, cultural, and educational offerings as well as private event space. The uses and potential are numerous and varied to enhance community life,” said Self.
Ann Self accommodates annoying media to promote the new Commons building at The Village Green. Read more HERE.
Board Chairperson Sue Lewis credits Self with tremendous growth The Village Green has experienced in recent years.
“When Ann became executive director, she had a milk crate with files and a general information binder about the park in a makeshift office area in the kitchen of her home,” said Lewis. “She quickly began to build relationships, develop donors and board members, and strengthen organizational operations, including identifying and recruiting an outstanding support team for park management. Ann has been a champion for community-building leveraging the many ways people enjoy The Village Green. Her ability to connect with donors and the community is genuine and we will miss her passion. Nobody loves The Village Green like Ann.”
Ann Self making sure operations run smoothly at the Plein Air Festival. Read more HERE.
The Village Green Board has identified and hired Self’s successor who will begin later this fall. An announcement concerning this will be made at that time.
To learn more about The Village Green, the 13 acre privately conserved park for the people of Cashiers, click HERE.
Ann Self wishes the community a merry Christmas at the Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting in 2018. Read more HERE.
Photos by Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Article courtesy of The Village Green
As a Board member for the last six years, I’ve observed first-hand how much time and effort Ann has committed to The Village Green. Until very recently, she was the only employee so everything fell to her to complete. She did so very competently and Cashiers has been lucky to have her! She will be a first-rate volunteer for our community.