Meriden YMCA To Host Wind Turbine At Camp

The Meriden YMCA's Mountain Mist Day Camp has been selected to host one of two wind turbines under the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's Small Wind program. The Meriden YMCA was one of three finalists selected from among thirty-five respondents to the CCEF RFP.

The Meriden YMCA site offers significant public exposure because it hosts upwards of five thousand 5th graders each year and because it offers an opportunity to communicate the benefits of wind energy in an age-appropriate means to an even broader audience.

The Small Wind Turbine Demonstration Program will operate and monitor four different wind turbine technologies at different locations across the state. It will allow the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to evaluate the types of turbines, wind conditions, and installation options in order to design an optimal CCEF rebate program for residential applications.

For more information, contact Meriden YMCA Executive Director John Benigni.

Y-USA General Counsel Keynotes RI Alliance Key Leaders' Dinner

YMCA of the USA General Counsel Angela Williams keynoted the Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders’ Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick this evening. Angela amplified her message on best practices in YMCA governance by facilitating a workshop titled “Non-Profits in the Spotlight: How Governance, the Economy and Community Needs Intersect”. There are approximately 1.8 million tax-exempt organizations in the United States representing 3.4 trillion dollars in assets. In the midst of a global financial crisis, rising unemployment and concern over Americans’ health and well-being, YMCAs must seize the opportunity to have greater impact in their local communities with less resources. At the heart of a strong vibrant non-profit is a compliant organization that promotes transparency, accountability and good governance.

The title of Angela’s keynote address at dinner was “National Positioning: Enhancing YMCAs' Response to Community Needs in Tough Times”.

Pictured are (L-R) - Steve Palmer, National YMCA Board Member; Angela Williams, Y-USA General Counsel; Karen Leslie, President, Greater Providence YMCA and Chair of the Key Leaders' Dinner

RI YMCA Alliance Honors David Devault

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Chair David Devault (right) was honored by the State YMCA Alliance for his “years of dedicated service, passionate leadership, and tremendous generosity in support of the mission of The State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs”. Presenting this tribute to Dave was Kelly Sheridan, Vice Chair of the Rhode Island YMCA Alliance.

Greater Provicence YMCA CEO Karen Leslie Chairs Key Leaders' Dinner

Among the 112 in attendance at the 2009 Rhode Island YMCA Alliance Key Leaders' Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick were Karen Leslie, President of the Greater Providence YMCA and Key Leaders’ Dinner Chair, and Greater Providence YMCA Board Chair Amy Page Oberg.

Rhode Island YMCA Alliance CEOs

CEOs of YMCAs in Rhode Island gathered with Alliance Chair Dave Devault (third from right). Pictured (L-R) are George Brainerd, CEO, Woonsocket YMCA; Maureen Fitzgerald, CEO Ocean Community YMCA; Pete Milinazzo, CEO Newport County YMCA; David Devault; Karen Leslie, CEO, Greater Providence YMCA; Ess McNulty, CEO, Pawtucket and Central Falls YMCA. [Managing the Key Leaders’ registration table at time of photo was Harold Hemberger, CEO of the Smithfield YMCA.]

Pioneering Healthier Communities

Barbara Moore (right), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant Initiative Project Manager for the Connecticut YMCA Alliance, this evening briefed the Alliance’s Public Policy Committee on this exciting new initiative, which applies the “facilitated community leadership model” – proven effective in the Pioneering Healthier Communities program – to form coalitions, collaborations and partnerships with the objective of creating state-level policy change, with a focus on physical activity and healthy eating to address childhood obesity in Connecticut. The Connecticut YMCA Alliance is one of three YMCA State Alliances selected from among twenty eligible state alliances to apply for this grant.

The Public Policy Committee of the Connecticut YMCA Alliance is overseeing this grant initiative, as a significant public policy initiative of the Alliance. The Public Policy Committee is chaired by Morag Vance (left). Central Connecticut Coast YMCA President Phil Dwyer (center) serves as Committee Vice Chair.

Barbara reports that preliminary indications are that ten Activate America ® Capacity-Building YMCAs intend to apply for the RWJF grant, the deadline for which is May 22nd. This week the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA was designated by the YMCA of the USA as a Pioneering Healthier Communities Mentoring YMCA. For more information on this initiative, contact Barbara Moore at bmoore@cccymca.org

Got Volunteers?

The Connecticut YMCA Alliance Branch Executives and Associates Network (BEAN) conducted its inaugural workshop today at the New Britain-Berlin YMCA. Two dozen YMCA Branch Execs and senior managers gathered for a volunteer and board development workshop titled "Got Volunteers?" led by YMCA Resource Director Melanie Roth. As a YMCA Resource Director Melanie serves YMCAs in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Connecticut BEAN is chaired by Chris Pallatto, Branch Executive of the Wheeler Regional YMCA (GHYMCA). Serving on the BEAN Steering Committee are Mark Pasquairello, Branch Executive with the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, and Jeff Williams, Branch Execuive with the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA.

L-R: Mark Pasquariello (New Britain-Berlin YMCA), Alan Mogridge (Central and Northern Westchester YMCA), Sean Doherty (Wallingford Family YMCA), Joanne Cerrutani (New Canaan Community YMCA), Sally Miller (Wheeler Regional YMCA / GHYMCA)