More than 500 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation volunteers will gather in Washington, D.C., for the 15th annual Volunteer Leadership Conference (VLC), teamMATEs: Together Until It's Done, from March 16-17, 2018. This invitation-only event, open to everyone via livestream, will bring together teamMATEs from all over the country. Together, the Foundation and volunteers will swap fundraising success stories, hear medical and scientific updates, and share best practices.
The conference will be led by 2018 co-chairs, Bonnee Binker of Palmetto Bay, Fla. and Paul Motenko of Mission Viejo, Calif.
In addition to co-chairing 2018 VLC, Bonnee has been a member of the Foundation's Miami-Dade advisory board since 2011, and currently serves as its chairperson. She began volunteering for the South Florida Office of the Foundation when her granddaughter, Delaney, was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago. Since then, she has chaired and co-chaired numerous events, including the Great Strides Miami walk, Miami's Big City Affair, and Miami's Night for a Cure, and has participated in numerous CF Cycle for Life and CF Climb events. Bonnee is a staunch CF advocate, and has attended the Foundation's annual Florida CF Day as well as March on the Hill.
Paul Motenko is currently the chairman of the Orange County Chapter's Volunteer Board, and serves as the chairman of the Volunteer Leadership Council's Individual Giving Committee. He has been involved with the Foundation since his daughter, Stacy, was diagnosed with CF 31 years ago. Paul serves as co-chairman of the Orange County Chapter's largest fundraising event, Pipeline to a Cure. An avid hiker, Paul has participated in numerous Xtreme Hike events throughout the country. He is also a strong advocate and attends both March on the Hill and the California State Advocacy day each year. As one of the founders of BJ's Restaurants, Inc., Paul spearheaded the “Cookies for Kids” initiative, which has raised millions of dollars for CF.
The Foundation is thrilled to work with Bonnee and Paul on this important conference to honor and celebrate CF Foundation teamMATEs across the country. Stay tuned and check back to watch VLC live in March 2018.