b'Yaateeh shikis Among RCACs many accomplishments, its diversity, (Hello my friends),equity and inclusion (DEI) work holds a special place for For many reasons, 2020 was anme. For RCAC, DEI is not reactionary, nor is it perfunctory. unforgettable year. A globalIt is integrated into our core values, and has been central pandemic claimed both livesto RCACs mission for years. After the horrific events sur-and livelihoods, often dispro- rounding George Floyds wrongful death and the national portionately more in Indigenousoutrage that followed, the DEI Committee held a series of communities and for people oflistening sessions with our staff. These yielded powerful color. Racial injustices and sys- and candid discussions about how race, power and privi-temic racism that have long been common knowledgelege are intertwined with the work we do and the people to Indigenous and minority communities were yet againwe serve.brought to light.Through it all, I cannot praise Suzanne Anarde enough The RCAC family also mourned an esteemed Board mem- for her leadership. We all hoped to ease her into the CEO bers passing: Richard Elas. As a Board member, Richardposition thoughtfully, but the past year made that nearly brought the heart of an activist to every discussion.impossible. Sometimes we choose the moment, but He challenged us to think deeply and used a commonother times the moment chooses us. Suzanne conveys closing in his writings: #Resist #MuchLove. His spirit willoptimism and authenticity as CEO and she brought always have a seat at the RCAC Board. steadiness to RCAC at a time when it was needed most. Like many, I was eager to see 2021 get underway. But I wasI am honored to be co-leading RCAC with the Board, not solely motivated by a desire to put as much distanceSuzanne and our amazing Senior Leadership Team. This as possible between myself and the year that was. Rather,past year, we had little time to learn each others rhythms I am genuinely optimistic about the position RCAC findsbefore being thrown onto the dance floor. As Board itself in as we enter a new fiscal year. RCAC is a resilientPresident, I often say that no one person carries the full organization. I believe we do our best work during tryingweight of the endeavor. Everyone in the organization lifts times. Within days of a national shelter-in-place ordertogether and moves the vision forward. RCAC is poised in March 2020, our nearly 170 staff in 13 states began toto implement a new Strategic Framework with the lens work almost entirely remotely, and dozens of in-personof leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality, and trainings were converted to virtual. Just a few weeks later,integrity; we will gracefully flow into 2021. I enter the we responded throughout the rural West by processingnew fiscal year with a profound feeling of optimism and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, procuring safe- excitement.ty equipment for water and wastewater operators, and dropping off shipments of personal protection equip- Standing in our power with resilience and hope,ment (PPE) to Tribal and rural communities.Ahhee (thank you),As the months went on, we slowed down and reflected. What steps did RCAC need to take to best position itself for service in the new normal? Steps included creating a fund for businesses re-emerging in the post pandemic economy, a rural rental assistance program and a new Strategic Framework to guide RCAC through 2021 andVickie Keatseallyboy Oldman beyond. All the while we continued to make progressPresident, RCAC Board of Directors (2021)in our core programs, secured new contracts and new funding, and kept longstanding projects on track despite the years many curveballs.4 | RCAC Annual Report'