Why Pangea Now: Patricia McInturff

Patricia celebrating a recent birthday in Poipu, Hawaii.

We are launching a new blog feature, Why Pangea Now. In each of these short interviews, Pangea members will share their experience with Pangea and why Pangea’s work is important to them.

Thank you to Patricia McInturff, Board Secretary and Pangea member since 2014, for volunteering to share her Pangea story.

Why are you a Pangea member?

Mission and model—I love the international mission of Pangea. I have done some HIV/AIDS work in Zimbabwe and Zambia and seen firsthand what a significant impact a small amount of money can make to grassroots organizations. In terms of model—I like that Pangea is primarily a volunteer-driven organization, and I especially like our fundraising model which does not require time and energy on auctions, luncheons and other traditional fundraising events. I also enjoy the opportunity to meet and socialize with individuals who share a common view of the world.

When did you first get involved with Pangea?

Primarily because a good friend asked me to join (Jill Marsden) and another good friend was already a member (Ken Bounds). As a new retiree I was looking to get involved in organizations that had both a mission I found compelling and members I would enjoy spending time with—I was also attracted to Pangea because of its fund raising model. I was not interested in joining another non-profit board that spent 50% of its time raising money.

How have you participated in Pangea as a member?

I have been a board member since I first joined. I enjoy the policy aspects of the organization and the people on the board. I have not participated in a pod or a site visit.

What is one interesting thing about you that you think other Pangea members would like to know?

For the first 10 years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, I was the King County Public Health lead/voice in terms of HIV/AIDS policy and design and implementation of the King County continuum of care. King County was viewed as a national model in terms of prevention, care and community collaboration.