#rcclv

How does she have time to do it all? Our board Secretary Sue Kroft is a great-grandmother and retiree who has lots of interests. Luckily for us, one of her passions is helping the community and The Rape Crisis Center! We learned more about her in a recent Q & A:

Q: Describe your journey with the RCC and how you ended up on the board?

A: In 2011, I was introduced to The Rape Crisis Center by a good friend who was active on the board.  I was brought in to help RCC with some operational duties to grow their Signs of Hope Counseling Center.  During that period, I met some very good board and staff people and was impressed by their commitment and dedication. So when I was asked if I’d join the board, it was a definite 'yes.' 

Q: What has been the best part of being on the board and what has been the most challenging?

A: The best part has been learning more about the difference and impact RCC makes in the lives of the survivors. Then it’s about people –the staff, the volunteers and the board. It’s about how we work collaboratively within the community – schools, prison, and how we collaborate with other community leaders in the outreach part of our program. I was so impressed when I got a personal tour at UMC and was shown the private special room a survivor waits in to receive care and treatment.  When I think about it, there's not been anything that I would categorize as being the most challenging.  `

Q: When your time with the board is over, what will be your best memory?

A: I will always think back to the hard-working staff and dedication of the board, which helped with the successful growth of the counseling center and the well-attended support groups. RCC has been able to make this type of service available at no cost, which is a great feeling.  

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Spare time?  Hmmm... as a retiree, wife, mom, grandmother, and also great-grandmother, I enjoy the ability to do anything I want 'when' I want.  I love flowers and zoos and have so many interests that my days are always filled.  I love new challenges and also learning new things, which fits my energy.  

Q: If you could have one superhero power, what would it be and why?

What three words does Board Member Toby Hyman use to describe herself? Get that answer plus learn about her background and goals for the board in this profile.

Photo: Toby and her precious dog Maya enjoying a walk.)

Q:What made you decide to join the Rape Crisis Center of Las Vegas (RCC) Board of Directors?

A: I retired from the State of Nevada in January 2016 and was asked by Jodi Tyson, a RCC Board member, and Daniele Dreitzer, RCC executive , if I was interested in joining the Board.  I have known Jodi for over 20 years and I worked with Daniele when she was executive director of HopeLink, a Family Resource Center in Henderson. I have worked in the Human Services field for the 26 years I have lived in Southern Nevada, and I have always been aware of the wonderful work done by the staff and volunteers of RCC.  When I was asked to join, I was excited to finally have the time to get involved with promoting the mission of RCC.

Q: What are your goals as a board member? A: My goals are to continue to help gain the community’s support for awareness of the horrors of sexual assault.  Also to help the RCC’s mission of preventing sexual assault and educating children on ways they can keep themselves safe from abuse.

Q: What do you see as the biggest obstacles or issues facing the organization? A: The fear and ignorance of people who think the victim is to blame for an assault and the challenges of educating school children, Kindergarten – High School, on how to recognize inappropriate sexual behavior and how to keep their bodies safe from abuse.

Q: What are three words you would use to describe yourself? A:Tenacious; Energetic; Committed.

Q: Aside from serving on the RCCLV board, what do you like to do in your spare time? A: Work out at the gym, long walks, try new restaurants, help care for my mother who has dementia, spend time with my partner, Chuck, and enjoy Happy Hours with friends.

“Coming full circle” describes the journey board member Renee Rivera-Shaffer has taken with the Rape Crisis Center. We caught up with her at a recent nightclub compliance training where we saw her in her element and learned more about her background and what she hopes to achieve as a board member.

(Photo, left to right:   TAO Director of Security Kevin Clark, Renee Rivera-Shaffer, and LVMPD Convention Center Area Command Captain Christopher Tomaino)

 Q: What is your background and how did it influence your involvement in the Rape Crisis Center?

A: I was working with the District Attorney’s office in Brooklyn on their sexual assault unit and then moved to Las Vegas. I wanted to stay within the field, but couldn’t find a relevant job so I volunteered with the Rape Crisis Center (RCC). That was 35 years ago!

I found my way to The Gaming Control Board, where I stayed for more than two decades and eventually retired as deputy chief in enforcement. After that I was hired by the TAO group in the compliance department and I’ve been there for five years. This is what led me back to the RCC. TAO formed a partnership with the RCC to work together to build awareness of the Party Smart campaign in the nightclub and dayclub industry. And from there I became a board member. The experience truly has been full circle – volunteer 35 years ago to board member in 2015.

Q: What do you hope to achieve during your tenure as a board member?

A: My goal is to have every hotel as an active partner in the Party Smart campaign. My hope is that every property, nightclub and dayclub is well educated on measures that can be taken to ensure the safety of their employees and guests.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being involved with the RCC?

A: There have been several rewarding aspects of my involvement including the formation of the partnership between TAO & RCC. I’m proud to represent the nightclub/dayclub industry in this role and of the annual Night Out event, which is always a success. It’s also rewarding to see the safety education that has been provided to our staff because they are our family!

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that people would be surprised to know?

A: I love to dance, especially Salsa. My mother and father loved to dance so I grew up thinking it was normal.

Q: If you could live in any period of history, when would it be and why?

There is one word to describe The Rape Crisis Center’s Board President Tanna Prince, and that’s committed. She has been working with our board for eight years now, with no signs of slowing down. We sat down with her for a quick Q and A….

Q: What made you want to serve on the RCC board? How long have you served?

A: I’ve served on the board for eight years. I was seated as a juror on a rape trial. After a long week, it ended in a hung jury. Half of the jury didn’t want to convict as it was a case of women blaming the victim. It was scary and I immediately searched for a way to get involved and make a difference.

Q: What has been the most rewarding thing you have encountered as a result of being on the RCC board?

A: Since the RCC is small and not well-known, the most rewarding thing has been spreading the word about the center – the hotline, the services we provide with UMC, the Party Smart program. If we can tell just one more person that the services are available, then it’s a big deal.

Q: What are your goals for the RCC for the coming year?

A: My first goal is to continue to build an amazing board. My second goal is to spread our “tentacles” - our version of one person telling another person. It’s like our version of six degrees of separation. We want the board to talk to people and increase awareness of our services and outreach.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Travel, specifically international travel. I’ve been lucky to travel around the world and learn new things. I went to East Asia last year and I’m heading to Panama next month. I also like to cook and garden.

Q: What motivates you?

A: This may sound cliché, but I am motivated when I believe I can make a difference. With the Rape Crisis Center, I feel like I’m making a difference.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

A: Christiane Amanpour. As an international journalist, she is not a lightweight, and is not afraid to take a tough look at things. She is a real role model and my idol.