A Big Thank You to Tim Schneider

TIm Schneider and Executive Director Celine Kuhn

When Tim showed up on Cow Island for his first Telling Room board meeting and retreat many moons ago, he demonstrated his fearlessness by leading a team in a raft building exercise. The raft was to be made out of duct tape and other island scraps, and we had only a small amount of time to build and launch it into Casco Bay's icy waters! I recall hearing him say something like "let's do this thing” and then immediately put his elbow grease to work.

I cannot remember the details of whether he and his team "won" the competition, but I do remember his team spirit and his willingness to be uncomfortable. That indomitable sense of self and spirit helped us all weather the last 14 months at The Telling Room, especially when it felt like we were wading into deep, cold water in a raft that was unsteady. Just like that day on Cow Island, we’ve managed to come through the pandemic strong, creative, and solvent thanks to Tim and his teamwork. 

“Tim gets the importance of The Telling Room and the gravity of sharing stories, and always has,” says Young Writers & Leaders Program Lead Sonya Tomlinson. “I remember in the early days of the pandemic, Tim took a break from his work at Tilson Technologies to attend a Telling Room staff meeting. He shed tears at the opening of the meeting during the ‘mission moment’ when a new piece of student writing was shared and said, ‘I've missed this.’ We are so grateful for his steady demeanor as the president of our board, and look forward to welcoming him in a new role as a Telling Room parent this summer when his daughter joins one of our camps for the first time!”

“In his role as Board President, Tim has helped to steer The Telling Room Board through a fraught time and emerge stronger than ever,” says incoming Board President Anya Endsley. “This is due to Tim's deep sense of ownership and responsibility over the organization, unwavering moral compass, humility, and his willingness to approach big and small issues head-on. Despite a global pandemic, Tim's leadership has somehow brought the Board closer together over the past two years and enabled us to address some really important issues. At his core, he is grounded in his dedication to the mission of The Telling Room and to putting student voices front and center, and that comes through in every aspect of his leadership. I know that I speak for the whole Board when I say that he will be greatly missed.”

Program Director Nick Whiston adds, “Ever since he became involved, Tim has shown up for The Telling Room, our staff, and students both in spirit and in-person. No matter where our events were or what time they were at, it seemed like he attended every book launch, reading, and Show & Tell. Tim has been a steadfast supporter and courageous leader of The Telling Room for years, and I, and all the staff, are grateful for his thoughtfulness and dedication.”

Tim first connected with The Telling Room through the Maine Association of Nonprofits’ Emerging Leaders program, and has brought his energy, commitment, and ingenuity to our community ever since. On behalf of The Telling Room’s staff, students, and board, we would like to share our gratitude towards Tim for his service as the board treasurer, vice president, and then tenure as president. 

We cannot wait to see what’s next for you, Tim, and we thank you with full hearts for all that you have done! 

With Gratitude,

Celine Kuhn
Executive Director
she/her/hers
celine@tellingroom.org