Meet Our Board
The Board is designed as a forum to bring together representatives from a variety of backgrounds to strategically examine issues, to generatively create a vision for the organization, and foster collaboration and partnership, to collectively strengthen Thurston County's many diverse communities.
Governance Board (Board of Directors)
Before we introduce you to our small but mighty Board in their own words, we want you to know we are actively seeking members. Do you have a passion for social, racial, and/or educational justice? We are recruiting community members with intersectional life experience/expertise. Parents of school age children, LGBTQIA2+ folx, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are encouraged to apply! Our Governance Board will meet ~6 times per year. Want to know more? Email us at info@watogether.org with questions, submit a Board application, or reach out to schedule a call or meeting with our Executive Director or a member of our Board.
President
Dr. Melvin J. Fields Jr.
(he, him)
Dr. Melvin J. Fields Jr. has more than three decades of local, state, and government leadership experience in the military, public schools, collegiate level, and non-profit. He credits his spiritual connection for everything he’s achieved including his marriage of 35 years. Both of their adult children earned STEM degrees from the University of Washington. Dr. Fields earned his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a focus on Social Justice from Saint Martin's University.
Melvin has traveled around the world in service to his country and earned military honors and achievements during combat. Despite having worked hard to earn all the personal and professional accolades; belonging, safety, and peace has yet to be realized for him and many others here in Thurston County and beyond. Melvin enjoys spending time with family, traveling, going to the gym, learning new things, and reading.
“The truth is found in the origin stories of those who experienced trauma and negligence is produced when one chooses to be willfully ignorant about the happening.” -Melvin, 2023
Board Members
Board Member
Jack George
(he, him)
Jack George is a creative based in Washington State, he has carved a unique set of skills that has allowed him to thrive on many different artistic fronts such as graphic design, photography, and videography.
Owner of Jackama graphics & media. Jack has been commissioned for logo designs for business startups and franchises alike. Jack has experience in the following photography styles: graduation, headshots, family portraits, event, sport, wedding, landscape, concert, street, product and fashion photography, with many more styes being shot every day. Jack films, edits, and color grades his videos using industry standard recording equipment and software, he has shot interviews, music videos, drone footage, events, and more as his career continues to develop. Jackama is a nickname given to him that refers to his affiliation and enrollment with Yakama Nation, one of many federally recognized tribes here in Washington State.
Jack currently works full-time with Nisqually Indian Tribe as a multi-media specialist, his skillsets mentioned above are put to full use in his day-to-day work schedule. Jack aspires to be the best he can be and applies himself full-time, on and off the clock practicing his craft. With a heavy focus on cinematography and videography methods, he hopes to tell stories for organizations and people, as we all have a story to tell.
Ready to rock?
TOGETHER! has vacancies on our Governance Board. Interested? Service terms are 3 years long, and service is limited to 3 terms (9 total years). Ready to apply? Email your completed application to:
Let's partner to help you utitlize your knowledge, passions, and life experience to further our shared goals of advancing health and educational equity and justice!
APPLY HERE
Ways to Support Our Mission:
From past Board Members
"Serving on the board was an incredibly fulfilling experience. The intentional collaboration among board members, staff, and partner organizations created a powerful space for advancing social, racial, and educational justice. TOGETHER!’s commitment to equity and inclusion is reflected in every decision, and I encourage those with intersectional life experience to join and help deepen the impact."
- Charli Terminelli
"North Thurston Public Schools has partnered with TOGETHER! in prevention [and more]... I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact the TOGETHER! program has made on the students in Thurston County. I am honored to work collaboratively with a community-based organization such as TOGETHER! ... ."
- Karen Johnson
"The work TOGETHER! does in Thurston County is extremely important. TOGETHER!’s programs have a [long] history of making meaningful, positive change."
- Rick Hughes
"The organization’s mission is critically important for our community’s positive future."
- Celia Nightingale