This month, we are proud to feature Jan Kellogg in our OCF Volunteer Spotlight. Jan is in her second year of a three-year term as an OCF Board Member and has served on the Grant Committee for four years. Jan and her husband have been Otsego County residents for over three decades. They live near the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Jan’s experience includes a 35+ year career in community and economic development. She worked with communities and businesses to help determine how they could develop and grow. Through her work, Jan developed relationships with people in many different communities throughout Northern Michigan and the Eastern UP, which is what she loved about it. Jan’s last position was a manager of the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts (GACA). During her retirement, Jan has been volunteering for various organizations, including serving on the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center Steering Committee.
To learn more about Jan, here she is in her own words:
1. What do you love about Otsego County?
First and foremost, Otsego County is a very caring place. Having worked with many communities throughout my career, I’ve found that this is not true in all towns. When I moved here, I was amazed at the number of organizations that are driven by volunteers striving to make this a better community for all. I also appreciate that this area has many of the benefits of living in a larger, more urban area, while retaining its small-town friendliness. And lastly, I truly enjoy the natural beauty found here and easy access to outdoor recreation.
2. What are your hopes for Otsego County?
Like everyone, I hope that as this county grows, we will be able to keep the small-town feeling. I know this is impossible, though. But I do hope that our growth will be made in a thoughtful and careful manner, so we can remain a place to be proud of and where we still want to live and raise families. I think that OCF is helping with this process, as we are very careful about where we invest our funds—in projects that strengthen the community in positive ways.
3. What are you looking forward to working on with the OCF?
I watched from the outside, as the OCF grew from a small, obscure organization into the powerhouse it has become. I think the staff and board have done a phenomenal job in growing into an organization that not only helps the community through philanthropic giving but also connects organizations with one another and with the constituents that need their assistance. I am proud to be connected with this group.