Hello Members and Friends,
Following the DHC Bylaws, Article IV, 4.1, the DHC Board unanimously approved the following board members for renewal of one term. This will provide continuity and expertise to the board.
Please read the Letters of Interest from DHC Board Members who would like to continue their service. These Board members will be up-for-vote at the Annual Meeting of Members on Nov. 19, Spokane Valley Library, 6pm.
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Stuart Grossman:
To the DHC board of Directors:
I am very excited to continue on the DHC Board of Directors. I am reaching the end of my first 3-year term and feel that I have a lot more to contribute for my second 3-year term. I am part of several committees: The Education committee - I have participated in the Kids in the Hills program the last 2 years by helping teach the kids during their visits to Camp Carol. The Stewardship committee - I go on field trips and go to committee meetings where I have learned a lot about what we are doing to keep the Dishman Hills properties in good shape. The Conservation committee - I recently joined the committee on the field trip to walk the Buzz Mountain parcels and learned about all of the possibilities this land has to offer and details on different way to acquire this property.
I have been the Executive Secretary of the DHC since the beginning of the year. I was happy to volunteer when called upon to take this on. It's been a great experience, and I am looking forward to continuing in this position on the Board.
I also enjoy leading hikes in the Dishman Hills for our members. I have hiked in the Dishman Hills ever since I was a kid. My Dad would lake me hiking with him when I was growing up. When I lead hikes, I have lots of knowledge to share about many aspects of the Dishman Hills. I find the members enjoy learning these things.
I don't hesitate to help out when needed. During our fundraising events, I have happily invited friends to fill a table. I have a good background in running my own business, advising clients about how to build retirement savings to have a good retirement, and got my Finance degree from University of Washington.
I would like to mention that I was very active in the Boy Scouts growing up. That developed my love for the outdoors. I even received my Eagle Scout award. I became a Scout Master when my son was in the scouts. That was a great experience to lead a scout troop.
I also am looking forward to helping new Board members learn what they need to know, just as other board members have taught me the things that I needed to learn. This should be valuable to get these new Board members up to speed more quickly.
I hope all this information about me gives you a better sense of what I can do to continue helping the future growth of the Dishman Hills Conservancy!
Stuart Grossman
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Michael Hamilton:
Dear Board of Directors:
I am asking the Board to approve an extra 3-year term on the Board of Directors as an extension of my 35 years+ of continuous service with the Conservancy. This extra term will serve to apply my skills and experience with the Conservancy’s mission as a bridge between the old and the new during transition times for the Board. My involvement with conservation land acquisition as Chair of the conservation committee has me in the middle of a number of land deals that need continuity to be effective. I will be there for questions from the Board on “what happened when”, “how was this handled before”, “who was involved”, “what went wrong or right”, or just as a reminder of the values applied by the founders and other dedicated to our conservation mission over the decades. Lastly, an old timer on the Board would serve nicely during fund raising as a visual example of the continuity and dedication of the organization to serve the community and be there for the future, as it has been for the last 60 years.
Sincerely, Michael Hamilton 10/20/2026
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Chris Kopczynski
From: Chris Kopczynski <chris@kopconstruction.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 12:15 PM
To: Ruth Gifford <ed@dishmanhills.org>
Subject: Board Member
Ruth,
I am writing to ask that the board of directors consider keeping me on the board for one final term. With the upcoming change of board members, and a bright future ahead for DHC, I feel I can offer insight and history to the past. I was a teenager climbing with Bill Fix and the Spokane Mountaineers club on “Bug Rock” in the mid 1960’s… prior to the formation of the DHC. I have watched, and helped, the conservancy grow from the very beginning.
Hopefully, I can offer some wisdom for future expansions and/or conservation.
Sincerely,
Chris Kopczynski
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Carol Neupert
Fellow Board Members,
I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving on the Dishman Hills Conservancy Board of Directors. With more than 30 years of professional fundraising experience and six years on the Board, I bring both professional expertise and a strong personal commitment to the Conservancy’s mission.
During my board service, I contributed to organizational and development planning, shared my expertise on fundraising and drafted a Development Plan to help strengthen the Conservancy’s fundraising capacity and long-term sustainability. The lack of staff to implement fundraising plans has obviously had a negative effect on the financial health of DHC. This issue can be successfully resolved with a dedicated development person on staff.
I have been actively involved both as a committee member and chair of events, the most significant ones being the annual fundraising dinners, and have assisted with communication strategies and products, designing a brochure for the 60th Anniversary.
I recently took on the task of governance, doing so with a focus on organizational compliance, Board development and best practices toward accreditation as a way to secure lasting conservation and enhance public awareness and trust. This included addressing areas of non-compliance, amending the bylaws, reviewing, revising or creating policies, recruiting and interviewing Board candidates.
I believe effective board leadership requires thoughtful governance, responsible financial stewardship, strategic planning, and a shared commitment to the mission. I would appreciate being considered for another term, essentially for continuity, but also to continue putting my experience, skills, and dedication to work to help ensure that Dishman Hills Conservancy thrives for future generations.
Sincerely,
Carol
