|
|
The Nor'Easter
New England Chapter
April 2022
|
|
We are going to try this again! We're looking forward to seeing you and gathering IN PERSON June 7-9.
Join us at our Mid-Week Spring Getaway Retreat at The Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, New Hampshire.
The Inn sits at the base of the beautiful and picturesque Mount Monadnock. Click the button below to visit the Inn's website.
|
|
Activities are all included in our fee: Hiking, crafts, outdoor games like corn hole and shuffleboard, a guided night walk. You can milk the cows and goats, be a brave soul who goes swimming, play tennis, enjoy a cocktail party, music and more.
We also plan to ZOOM in with YMCA Alumni friends who may not be able to join us!
Two nights and six meals, taxes, tips and gratuities all are included starting at $400 depending on accommodations ($400/$425/$450) you choose. The deposit is $50. Contact the Inn directly to reserve your room choice at (603) 242.6495.
Contact our Program Chair Nancy LaRue Bonell at: (508) 965.9507 or email her by clicking on her name above.
|
|
Greetings!
This is the last edition of our The Nor 'Easter that our Newsletter Editor Doug Lisk will put to bed. Doug is heading south and I know he will connect with the YMCA Alumni Chapter there.
Words cannot express my gratitude for all that he has done to deliver a great newsletter but also to handle much of the communication for our chapter. Thank you, Doug, safe travels and we all hope our paths cross in the future.
When I began my role as President of this chapter, I thought some of the most important areas we should focus on were tasks such as the development of best practices and strategic planning. Of course, very important.
However, the challenge of recruiting members and volunteer leadership seem to be among our most important tasks. Our chapter is not alone. Retention, recruitment and connection of members and the ability to recruit volunteers to assume leadership roles are challenges across the country.
I will be attending a training session in May for Chapter Presidents known as "48 Hours" and I know these will be hot topics for all of us.
COVID has not helped membership development but, now, I hope, it is time to put it behind us (while always ensuring safe practices are in place). I encourage you to take advantage of one of the many opportunities coming your way to connect. We will gather at the Inn at East Hill Farm in New Hampshire June 7-9 (see story above) and the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center Sept. 20-22 in an event co-hosted by the New England and McBurney-Morse Chapters (see story below). Please reach out to Nancy Bonell with any questions.
We also recognize traveling may not be for everyone and, for that reason, we will be hosting a series of luncheons in locations across New England. Our goal is to keep travel time to 60-90 minutes or less. Of course, our re-scheduled YMCA Alumni Reunion '22 will be held in New Orleans in Nov. 2-4.
Good news: We are approaching pre-pandemic numbers in membership. As of the end of March our chapter had a total of 79 membership units, totaling 111 current members. Just four members below where we were at this time last year. Please invite your friends and colleagues to consider membership in YMCA Alumni.
We need and want you to participate at whatever level you feel able and comfortable. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know at [email protected]. We all want to make sure your needs are being met.
Until we meet face to face, I wish you the very best as we enter this spring season.
|
|
New England YMCA Alumni President
|
|
A "color-fall" gathering at Silver Bay
Sept. 20-22
|
|
Be sure to hold the dates as details will come soon about a very special fall gathering at the beautiful Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center on Lake George, N.Y. We will be joined by members of the McBurney-Morse YMCA Alumni Chapter.
|
|
A southern send-off for Doug Lisk, y'all |
We had a get together in Southern Connecticut April 14 to celebrate our own Doug Lisk and wish him the best prior to his leaving for South Carolina.
Attendees included members of the New England Alumni group and a number of current and former Central Connecticut Coast YMCA staff. A few qualified in multiple categories.
As with most YMCA events, stories were shared, much laughing occurred and we got pretty noisy. Doug was presented with a card signed by all the attendees and a small gift to use once he becomes "homeless" April 25.
|
|
|
One of the wonderful things about being the chapter treasurer is that I have a front row seat watching philanthropy in action.
Here are some examples from our New England Chapter only:
Donations to the Dominican Republic project this year are over $6,000. Individual donations to the National Service Project are over $10,000.
But the real story about OUR National Service Project is this:
55 individuals, families and organizations have donated or pledged, to date, $45,000. The campaign will open again for donations in January.
Thank you for your support of these programs and for being the generous and philanthropic people that YMCA Alumni are.
--Alan Hurst, Treasurer
|
|
|
 |
...in the Dominican Republic
Members of our New England Chapter have contributed more than $6,000 toward The Dominican Homebuilding Project, sponsored by our chapter. That's enough to build at least one new home for our friends in the YMCA International Village.
In addition, our members have donated $45,000 including one-time cash gifts and three-year pledges, to the new National Service Project in partnership with the Sioux YMCA in South Dakota.
Members of the fundraising committee want to thank all our members for their outstanding generosity.
"To those whom much is given, much is expected." Volunteers are still welcomed and needed for both projects, with the Dominican Project May 28-June 4, and six one-week "waves” in May, July, and October heading to Dupree, S.D. For info on the Dominican Project, contact Lou Falk.
|
|
|
|
...on the Sioux Reservation
The first objective has been the fundraising campaign. A combination of cash and pledges of more than $519,000 toward a 3-year goal of $600,000 has been raised to date.
Site preparations and pouring the cement foundations for four tiny homes is underway and a contractor has been hired.
We still have openings for volunteers within the work weeks of July 10, July 17, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30. No experience is necessary, and training and tools will be provided.
If you are interested in getting involved, click on the button below. Have general questions about the project? Email here. For specific information on the project, reach out to George Painter directly.
|
|
|
|
The Rocks have been rockin' the outdoors in the Berkshires
Harry Rock and his wife Anne enjoy exploring some of the beautiful outdoor destinations in the Berkshires. This is Glendale Falls which is a 150- foot waterfall that empties into the middle branch of the Westfield River and is ranked as one of the longest waterfalls in Massachusetts. Harry is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking in the mountains.
|
|
|
ISC meets with Y-Europe leaders about Ukraine |
|
Do you know about the International Service Corps (ISC), a program of tYMCA Alumni?
They are a group that meets, via Zoom, each month and vette opportunities for members to provide programs and service in other countries based on language skills, program skill sets and passion for service.
They most recently met with Emma Osmundsen White from the United Kingdom, President of YMCA Europe (photo) and Juan Simoes Iglesias from Salmonica Spain who is the YMCA Europe Executive Secretary.
Through discussion and PowerPoint, they advised us of what YMCA Europe is currently doing to aid in the Ukrainian crisis (17 of the Ukrainian YMCAs are still as active as possible). There are 37 National YMCAs throughout Europe providing different levels of help, support and resettlement and YMCA Europe is working on other mid-term strategies where we may be of help.
--Alan Hurst
|
|
The Nor'Easter: It's been fun
|
|
Yes, this might be my last Newsletter for our chapter. It’s been a fun task to hear from so many colleagues around our chapter with pictures, stories and reminiscences that often made me smile and brought back fond YMCA memories.
I reconnected with some “old” friends and made some new ones, enjoyed our gatherings whether just a Zoom or, better yet, in person and sorry to say lost some friends along the way. And for all that, I am thankful.
If any of you would like to take over the reins, I would be happy to work with you. It’s not a big-time commitment and I will say working with Craig Altschul, National YMCA Alumni communications director, is what makes it an easy task!
Craig does the magic with the newsletter, bringing in National happenings and adding graphics that make the newsletter “pop”. Thanks again for everyone who supplied me with copy to be able to produce the Nor’Easter! I’m not saying good bye, but just a “see you later, y'all” as I know our paths will cross again!
--Doug
|
|
Register now for Reunion '22
Nov. 2-4 in the 'Big Easy'
|
|
|
|
Have you registered yet to join us at YMCA Alumni Reunion '22 in New Orleans, Nov. 2-4?
Be sure to register by July 31 to be eligible to win one of 10 $100 bills to use at our "Dinner with Friends" evenings. Click the button below for details, to register and a hotel link to reserve your room.
|
|
|
Check out the YMCA Alumni Travel Club and start packing for 2023 trips;
click the white arrow below
|
|
|
Escape winter Feb. 25-March 3, 2023 with the YMCA Alumni Travel Club on this affordable adventure to Costa Rica’s natural paradise.
|
|
|
|
We're heading to Egypt April 29-May 4, 2023. Home of the ancient Pharaohs, Egypt is a destination full of dazzling temples and tombs that wow all who visit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on name to send email.
|
|
|
|
|
YMCA Alumni Mission:
"...to enable members to promote a nurturing worldwide Christian Fellowship that provides educational, social, service and charitable opportunities."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
