The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

MONTICELLO, NY (July 18, 2011) –  On Thursday, July 14, Cornell Cooperative Extension,  the YEL committee of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan-Warwarsing REAP sponsor a Board Fair and Mixer at Mr. Willy’s Restaurant in Monticello.

The sponsors sought to bring together existing charitable, community and civic organizations with citizens looking to get involved in their community.

There were no fancy speeches or keynote addresses, just a two-hour window where people with blue “attendee” badges could mingle and ask questions of the organizations’ CEOs or presidents or executive directors or other members – the people with the red “conference” badges.

Deborah Worden Director of Volunteers and Community Services from Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility was there looking for volunteers. “They can be as multi-faceted and eclectic as our residents at Achieve itself,” said Worden, noting that anyone interested in volunteering can drop by Achieve’s facility, or they can e-mail her at volunteer@AchieveRehabny.com, or just call her at the office 845-292-4200.

Kathy Kreiter, Sullivan County Agency Director and Roz Magidson, Executive Director of the Dispute Resolution Center were looking for Board Members. “Ours is a four-county agency,” said Kreiter. “Our administration office is in Orange County and we’d like more members from each county to get a fuller representation of the areas that we cover.”

Magidson noted that The Dispute Resolution Center serves Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam Counties. “We’re looking for people who are looking for an opportunity to help change the community. To help build awareness that there are ways to reduce conflict, ways that people can communicate effectively, manage conflict in an appropriate manner, and still come out with a win-win situation. … We try to improve workplace, strengthen families, help youth, certainly be supportive to schools and we will gladly work hand-in-hand with the business community. … Board members can come from all walks of life, … You need good communication skills and know how to present your point of view. Volunteers must be over 18 years old and have a real interest in your community and you believe in the peaceful resolution of conflict,” said Magidson.

Anne Miller works for Independent Living Inc. She was at the Board Fair “looking for board members and people to advise us about the needs of folks who live in Sullivan County with disabilities. Our main office is in Newburgh, but many of our programs are in multiple counties, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess.” When asked what kind of board member her organization was looking for, Miller quoted her former board president who said, “Be there, be prepared and be committed.” Miller explained that “by   state charter, 51% of our board must consist of individuals with disabilities. …It’s truly a peer-run organization…people who can speak from personal experience …”

As a member of YEL (Young Emerging Leaders), a subcommittee from the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, Nuby Deleon, a photographer from Forestburgh, was involved in the planning of the event. He explained that “We wanted to get a whole bunch of not-for-profits together, because we wanted a better way to connect the community and leaders of the community to serve on boards and volunteer. A lot of people don’t even know these organizations. I’m so happy with this turnout today.”

Attendee Kevin Hulihan was looking to get involved in a board. “I’m involved in YEL, so I’m just looking to be able to contribute to a county that I love, live in and work in. I’ve found some very interesting organizations. I’m looking to get involved and civically engaged. …”

Glenn Pontier works for Sullivan Renaissance, and is a member of Sullivan REAP, which was set up by USDA and Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Pontier explained that REAP (Rural Economic Assistance Program) is “a way of helping residents of Sullivan County find grant funding for some of their projects.” Pontier noted that there are only five REAP zones in the US, and that Sullivan County and the Town of Wawarsing are linked. “Proposals for projects come before REAP, which writes letters of support if they meet the goals that citizens have identified for Sullivan County and Wawarsing. If they do, the USDA grants additional points on the application,” said Pontier.

The projects deal with things like weatherization and new energy programs, among others. “It’s a valuable designation to have when an organization applies for Federal or State funds because we’ve been recognized as an area that needs some special attention,” Pontier explained. “I’m here to see if there are individuals who might want to serve on the REAP board or on one of the task forces. We have farmers, we have people in housing, people involved in the arts who get together and set some of the benchmarks that would grant additional points. We’re looking for people who would be able to add a perspective that we don’t already have, and I would put that into three categories: young people, newcomers – people that come from other areas often have a perspective that’s valuable, and the third category is minorities, There are people who have a different life experience. …” To get involved with Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP, call Pontier at 845-295-2442.

Karen Russell, graduated from Sullivan Leadership a couple of years ago was looking for someplace to volunteer. “There are so many great people here tonight. I want to read all the material I picked up and see where my skills or interests might match up, and offer a hand.”

Nathana Rosen was representing United Way of Sullivan County was looking for volunteers and board members. She recognized the fact that the same people go from board to board to board. Rosen had spoken to four or five people she didn’t know, and considered that successful. “We have to remind people that the United Way is still here and continuing to be a viable force in Sullivan County.”

The Liberty Community Development Corporation (CDC) was represented by Heinrich Strauch and Alan Goodman. “We’re always looking for people interested in the organization,” said Goodman. “We’re tasked with business development, attracting businesses, retention of businesses, youth programs and housing. In the last couple of months, we’re awarded half a million dollars of Main Street grants to refurbish buildings on Main Street, both commercial and residential. At the completion of the program, people who got the awards will get 75 percent of their expenses reimbursed, so you’ll see more than $1 million invested on Main Street. …” Goodman said that membership is open to town and village residents, and anyone who wants to support the mission of the CDC, either financially (the CDC is a 501(c)3 organization) or by volunteering their time is welcome. If you want to get involved with the Liberty CDC, call 845-292-8202.

Amanda Speer, Director of Programming at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County was at a REAP board meeting when they started talking about the many organizations and not-for-profits struggling to fill board seats and find new blood, new energy and new ideas. In addition, there were some of the Young Emerging Leaders and Leadership Sullivan Graduates looking to get involved. So Speer collaborated with J.J. Pavese, and the idea for the Board Fair was born. “What better way than to have a casual mixer, almost like a speed-dating night for not-for-profits and potential volunteers or board members … we wanted to keep it loose and casual so people could move around, talk to the different not-for-profits, see where their talent and assets really fit into an organization. … I don’t myself or J.J. anticipated this kind of turnout. … If every Sullivan County person gave two hours a month to volunteer, the things that could happen in this county would be amazing. … If young people got involved in this county, they probably wouldn’t leave.”

For anyone who wants to get involved and make a difference in Sullivan County, Speer, who has a list of all the attendees and has offered to help out with organization/volunteer matchmaking, can be contacted at ags97@cornell.edu or 845-292-6180.

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