Meri Maben, Board Chair of the San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF), commits herself to servicing the community surrounding her home in San José. But before San José, Meri’s first home was Greece.
Meri lived in Greece for 11 years before moving to the United States. “Greek was my first language, and I came here speaking with a little bit of an accent,” she said. “I was like a fish out of water.”
“I learned how to relate to people who are not the norm,” she said. Since settling in the United States, Meri has continued to find opportunities to serve her community, especially those who feel like outsiders.
“I’ve always been involved in some organization that is serving the community,” she admitted. “I think because I see a need for people of privilege to give back.”
Meri has been a Women’s Commissioner for Santa Clara County, helped children with visual, dental, hearing, and emotional issues as the Chair of the Healthier Kids Foundation. Now, she brings that wealth of experience to her role as Board Chair.
Meri discovered the board through a friend and initially didn’t believe she could contribute much to the library. “I’ll do this as a courtesy to her. Books and libraries weren’t something I thought I would be able to contribute to,” she said. However, her mind quickly changed. “When I got there and opened up the brochure, I saw all the programming and saw the collaboration between the library, the Foundation and the commitment of our city leaders, and the depth that the Foundation serves.”
“We’re teaching immigrants to read, we’re helping childcare providers, we’re helping young people who didn’t finish high school come back and get their degree. So I was really excited when I left that meeting.”
Besides leading the board meetings themselves, Meri still has many other obligations as Board Chair. “The biggest responsibility is all the background work,” she said. “Working with our CEO, meeting with her every three weeks, meeting with the head librarian, being involved with the city councils…the background work is very heavy. But what it’s given me is a deeper appreciation and knowledge of how impactful the foundation can be.”
Meri’s value in service to others largely influences her position as Chair. “It’s really important to see your whole community and not people who are just invisible to you in your normal life,” she said. “I feel an obligation to help them, and I’m also passionate of the fact that the system put people there. So, how can we help people navigate the system so that they get all the advantages that they deserve?”
Additionally, nonprofits must step in to guide people through the system when the government no longer can support them. “Nonprofits serve a real need where the government can’t continue to fund,” Meri said. “They bring the community together. We do the social service work that government entities are overburdened with, and we can assist there. I think it gives people a sense of place and identity in their city and community.”
Meri plays a role in the search for potential board members. Meeting with them is crucial in seeing firsthand their experience and values they bring to the table. “Personally, I look for people that have lived experience and can bring a different perspective,” she explained. “I look for people who are willing to contribute financially, who can either give or raise money, and people who have energy and enthusiasm for the cause.”
“This is an incredible opportunity to deepen the impact that you can have in your own community,” Meri said. Joining the board extends your networks and gives you a window to uplift the San Jose community with your work. “It’s an opportunity to get to know other people who share your values and come together for the social good.”
Written by Jillian Cheng, Communications Intern