Endowment explains Community Advisory Council role and new member appointments

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The New Hanover Community Endowment has appointed seven new members to its Community Advisory Council,  a group that serves as a connection between the organization and the community it supports.

Endowment leaders recently spoke with WWAY following the announcement, explaining the council’s role in helping guide community engagement and provide feedback on local needs.

The Community Advisory Council now consists of 18 members who bring experience across the endowment’s focus areas, known as its pillars: education, health, public safety, social equity and community development.

According to the endowment, council members help ensure community perspectives are represented as the organization works to invest in initiatives throughout New Hanover County.

Endowment President and CEO Sophie Dagenais said diversity is an important consideration when selecting new members.

“We also try to calibrate, if you can call it that, and make that our Community Advisory Council represents community, but also across our pillars we really want diversity of perspective across our pillars and so we really monitor that closely as well,” Dagenais said.

The seven newly appointed members officially began their terms June 1 after being approved by the endowment’s board. Each will serve a three-year term.