In Memory: Michael Bono

756fbc99-5153-47a8-ba3c-c1b30e43efedWe are saddened to share some difficult news with the NAWRS community. Michael Bono, cherished member of NAWRS, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2016. His official obituary is available in the L.A. Times.
 
The NAWRS Board wanted to share the following words in memory of Michael’s contributions to the association:
 
Michael led the NAWRS Board of Directors for several years, longer than anyone in recent memory. Those who have presided over non-profits staffed with volunteers know well the level of selflessness this requires. Michael made enormous contributions to NAWRS during his many years on the Board, from reviving our sponsorship program and working closely with the organizations that contributed to the success of our Workshops to thinking broadly and strategically about the NAWRS mission and organizational structure. His patience, kindness, energy, and intelligence shone through in all of his roles.
 
(It’s okay to get a little choked up at this point.)
 
Michael studied child development, mental health, and assistance programs for low-income and disadvantaged populations in his “day job” as Research Services Director, working with “Big Data” in LA County before that term was a buzzword. He and his colleagues at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services gave many thought-provoking presentations at NAWRS Workshops over the years. Those of us in the NAWRS community will sorely miss his easy going, West Coast manner, as well as his scholarship and insight.
 
In closing, the NAWRS Board is deeply grateful to his family for sharing Michael with us for more than a decade. We are a stronger, more capable organization thanks to his commitment.
 
As noted in the obituary, in lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for the Team Michael Bono/National Brain Tumor Society, or reelrecovery.org.
Sincerely,
 
The NAWRS Board of Directors
National Association for Welfare Research and Statistics
Theresa Anderson