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160th Annual Meeting

A Special Meeting in Lieu of the 160th Annual Meeting was held on April 28, 2010, in the Great Room at Children’s Friend headquarters. It was dedicated to the memory of E. Mark Williams III, known to all as “Mark,” a dear friend, Director, and supporter, who had recently died.

Following a light breakfast, Michael J. Mulrain, Chair of the Board, led a meeting of members of the Corporation. Corporators elected five new Directors: Gary Carskaddan, Suzanne L. Weekes, Ph.D., Janet Wilson Moore, Esq., David K. Woodbury, and Patricia Zinkus, R.N., CCM. Four new members of the corporation, Sally Bowditch, Eric Gustafson, John McKenna, M.D., and Nancy McKenna, were also elected.

After the adjournment of the Members’ Meeting, the Board of Directors met to elect officers for the year. Mike Mulrain was re-elected as Board Chair. Michael Tsotsis and Kristine K. Bostek were re-elected as First Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair, respectively, and Michael F. Foley was re-elected as Treasurer. Lisa N. Banks was elected Clerk. Dorothy A. Dudley and Steven A. Lynch were elected as at-large members of the Executive Committee.

In addition, the Agency honored very special commitment by those who support the mission of Children’s Friend:

H. Waite Hurlburt Award – This award was given to Biomedical Research Models (BRM), a Worcester-based biotech company. BRM has become a strong supporter of Children’s Friend over the last several years and is our largest corporate sponsor this year. Dennis Guberski, founder of BRM, accepted the award on behalf of his company. In his acceptance speech he made a surprise donation of BRM Founder’s Stock to Children’s Friend. We are very grateful to Dennis and BRM. The Hurlburt award is given in memory of H. Waite Hurlburt. Mr. Hurlburt was a past president, a true friend of the Agency, and one of our most successful fundraisers.

Children’s Friend Award – This special award was given to Dorothy A. Dudley The Children’s Friend award was created to recognize those who have shown special commitment to our mission - to improve the lives of children and those who love them. Dorothy has become one of our most active Board members, co-chairing the Investment Committee, joining the Executive Committee, and volunteering at events. In addition, she is a trained Carriage House group facilitator and works on a volunteer basis with grieving children.

Employee(s) of the Year – Veronica Listerud, LICSW, and Carmen Vasquez. The employee(s) of the year are nominated by their peers and chosen because they show exemplary commitment to the spirit and mission of the Agency. Our staff members are the reason Children’s Friend is so respected for the quality of our services.

Volunteer of the Year – Jen McDonald. Jen, a member of our corporation, was one of the first Carriage House volunteer facilitators. When she had to give that work up to enter a joint M.D./Ph.D program at UMass Medical School, she continued to support Children’s Friend by volunteering at fundraising events. We are very lucky to have such a committed corporator.

A very special piano performance was provided in honor of Children’s Friend’s 160th anniversary by Mackenzie Melemed, a Paxton resident and eighth grade student at Bancroft School in Worcester. Mackenzie has performed five times at the White House and at Carnegie Hall. Our attendees were delighted to hear the wonderful classical pieces Mackenzie performed, and there were rave reviews all around. To learn more about this uniquely talented young man, check out his website at: http://www.lilpianoman.freeservers.com

 

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