- An Alliance For Community Action
- (970) 256-7650
- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Member profile: Kendra Stucki
Ask any organizer what their favorite part of their job is, and they will probably tell you: it is the members we work with day in and day out. We as organizers are not able to carry out our responsibilities without the fantastic individuals who align themselves with this work. This quarter, I get the pleasure of sharing about one Uncompahgre Valley Alliance (UVA) member who, along with her fellow committee members, has been instrumental in strengthening our Montrose County affiliate.
I first met Kendra back in February of this year, and I’ve been blown away by her commitment and dedication to the Alliance since. I knew upon our first meeting that she had what it took to be a guiding leader for the next chapter of the Uncompahgre Valley Alliance. She always shows up to our meetings prepared and ready to engage, with an unmatched level of focus.
Without delay, let’s hear all about Kendra Stucki!
When did you join the Uncompahgre Valley Alliance ?
I joined UVA upon moving to Montrose from the Roaring Fork Valley in 2019. UVA had the mission and goals that I respected and felt I could stand behind.
Why is community involvement important to you?
As a teacher of 35 years, community involvement always seemed to be naturally fitting.
You are a part of Uncompahgre Valley Alliance’s organizing committee! Can you explain a bit about the group and what you all are working on?
Currently, as part of the UVA organizing committee, we have been working on revitalizing membership by reaching out into the community to listen to what interests people have that align with our mission.
What’s your favorite part about being on the committee?
It’s exciting to see a small group continue to grow because of community connectedness and common goals.
You always add a lot of great insight to our meetings. What’s your background, or skill set, that has contributed to your ability to improve ideas and push the group to think out of the box?
I believe my teaching background, along with being a spirited community member in the many places I have lived throughout Colorado including the Yampa Valley, Arkansas Valley, Roaring Fork Valley, and the Gunnison/Crested Butte Valley, provides me with insight into the issues and tools to move through the action needed for outcome to match community and environmental needs.
What are you looking forward to the most as the committee moves through the organizing work?
As a parent of two active grown boys, a grandmother, a born and raised Coloradian that has always advocated for healthy, just, and self reliant communities, I look forward to working with UVA and WCA to develop leadership and build grassroot power for the many generations to come.
Thank you, Kendra! We are lucky to have you. I also want to take this opportunity to share about an event that Kendra and her committee members have been working on. Join us on December 7 to get an update on all the behind-the-scenes organizing work that will support our Alliance going forward!
You do not want to miss it! Dinner will be provided.
Bianca Diaz hails from northeast Florida, and brings a background in volunteer management, activism, and community building. She worked in the procurement world for a few years before making the big leap to move out west. She landed a position as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Colorado Canyons Association and the Bureau of Land Management to connect youth and families to the three National Conservation Areas here on the Western Slope. During her year of service, she realized that helping people and working to solve the root causes of our most pressing social issues was her true passion. Off the clock, she loves reading random Wikipedia articles, listening to music, taking care of her worm compost bins, walking her dog, and stargazing!