Chaparral 2024-2025: Here Comes the Sun: Reflecting the Grievance Process with Cindy Pollack

Here Comes the Sun: Reflecting the Grievance Process with Cindy Pollack

Chaparral asked Grievance Officer Cindy Pollack to reflect on a day of this past year of your tenure that she was are particularly proud of given the difficulty of her role. Here is what she had to share with you:

Confidentiality in the grievance process.

There isn’t just one day that stands out to me—every matter that comes my way is extremely important to the members involved. Out of respect for privacy, I can’t share specific details about any matters I have worked on this past year as confidentiality is a core part of this role, and it’s something I take very seriously. What I can say is how much it means to me when members trust me enough to reach out, knowing their concerns will be heard and kept private.

That level of trust doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve always tried to be someone people feel safe coming to, and I put a lot of thought into creating that kind of environment. These conversations are often difficult for our members, but they deserve to be handled with care and respectfully with confidentiality at the center.

I’m also grateful for the partnership and steady support of Guild President Richard Kamei. His discretion and thoughtful approach make a real difference, and I rely on that trust and teamwork often.

Being asked to write this reflection reminded me why this work matters so much. Grievance isn’t just about following procedures—it’s about supporting people during some of their most vulnerable moments. And when someone knows you’ll protect their privacy and stand with them, it helps create the kind of community we all want to be part of. I’m proud to do this work.