02/03/2019

Vera Bartasavich

Why should OAND members vote for you. Not only include your past but also include what you can bring to the position.

I was elected to the OAND Treasurer’s position in 2017 and have worked closely with the OAND President(s) and Executive Director during monthly discussions to provide insight and ensure the present and future of the OAND organization’s financial health is secure. As a team, we have reached out to other professionals including bankers, a financial advisor and the OAND CPA to achieve the correct financial decisions. A large number of financial transactions transfer through the Executive Director’s office. I believe by implementing an overall summarization of the finances it provides the OAND Board, membership and me financial transparency of the organization. My vision for the remainder of my term is to work with the finance committee to allocate funds for future projects that align with the President’s Plan of Work and the Strategic Five Year Plan before the finance committee sets the budget in the spring. I enjoy working on the board and ensuring the OAND organization continues its stable financial strength.

As a former staff accountant and finance supervisor in the food industry, I developed my love for numbers along with detective skills for reviewing financial accounts. Volunteer opportunities have included auditing, revamping and suggesting changes for several non-profit organizations as their Treasurer. I believe my professional and volunteer experience helps with the OAND position.

Thank you for reading. Please consider me when you cast your vote during the OAND voting!

Something personal about yourself that you would like to share. 

My hobbies include hiking, cooking and studying the Italian language (sto imparando l’italiano).

My nickname is “Sparky” and yes there is a story behind it. One evening after work, I ventured out into the parking lot with another co-worker. It started to drizzle lightly so I opened my umbrella. All of a sudden sparks were radiating from my thumb. My co-worker turned to me and said, “I believe you were struck by lightning!” The lightning traveled down the top of my umbrella to the bottom of my thumb. I was fortunate to not have incurred any burns, organ damage, cardiac arrest or death. After other co-workers got news of this occurrence they nicknamed me “Sparky” and to this day my husband calls me that when it begins to thunderstorm!

The odds of being hit by lightning in the U.S. are 1 in 700,000 during any one year or 1 in 3,000 odds during a person’s lifetime. Lightning strikes in my family happened to my father, mother and cousin too - maybe not that unusual but I feel very fortunate!