09 May 2016

Echelon SF charter members stand with Divisional Leaders, Lt. Cols. Tim & Cindy Foley, and local corps officers at the February 2016 Echelon SF networking event, held at GlassyBaby in San Francisco.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA: The Salvation Army has launched a new Echelon chapter for San Francisco, joining a network of only seven other chapters nationwide. The San Francisco Chapter -- made up of diverse young adults, ages 18 to 40 –is intended to help serve The Salvation Army through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising, and service and volunteering.

The San Francisco Echelon Chapter held its first networking event in February at GlassyBaby, in conjunction with the Union Street wine walk. The event was well attended, and fostered many new connections for the chapter. In addition, glassybaby donated 10% of sales for the day back to The Salvation Army.

In March, the steering committee solidified the chapters bylaws and elected a new executive committee:

• Kazan Braechman, President (ICONIQ Capital, Investment management)
• Dennis Duong, Vice President (PWC, Assurance Senior Associate)
• Jim Kennedy, Chair of Finance (Walmart eCommerce, Financial Analyst)
• Meg Panlaqui,Chair of Development and Fundraising (SF Chamber, Coordinator of Partnerships Development & Engagement)
• Brandon King, Chair of Service (SF Fitness)
• Scott Tashjian, Chair of Corporate Relations (Helpshift, Community and Events Manager)

Additional San Francisco Chapter charter members include: Rachel Gaddy and Breanna Reynolds.

Echelon was founded in 2010 in Dallas, Texas and has since been branded as the National Young Adult Auxiliary of The Salvation Army. Its estimated more than 600 young professionals nationwide are active members of Echelon.

Young professionals in Echelon are driven to “do the most good for the most people in the most need”. The Salvation Army pursues its mission 365 days a year and serves the entire community through a number of services, so there are ample opportunities to address needs in the community, improve people’s lives, and influence change. Individuals are expected to be active participants and will work closely with the organization on a regular basis. There are two primary elements to Echelon participation:

• Call-to-Action: Members work alongside Salvation Army personnel and supporters to support the organization’s mission. “Action”includes service and volunteering, assisting with garnering donations and supporting fundraising initiatives, and serving as brand ambassadors by recruiting new talent and friends to build the Army’s network.
• Personal Growth and Professional Development: Echelon members are afforded the opportunity for personal and professional growth, through fellowship and networking, strategy and leadership roles, and faith-building.

Details about upcoming San Francisco Echelon events and initiatives can be found on the chapter’s Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information about joining Echelon, please click here to contact the Echelon SF team.