Northern Berkshire United Way Upbeat For 2010 Campaign
  Northern Berkshire United Way director Joseph McGovern gets his notes together before speaking. Right, Maureen Baran steps down after completing her term as president of the NBUW board; below, James Brosnan was elected vice president of the campaign. |
"We're going to meet our goals because we will work together," said board member Steve Green, who is leading this year's campaign to raise $600,000. "We are all on the team."
James Brosnan, superintendent of the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District and the organization's vice president for the campaign, reported that the 2009-2010 campaign had raised $583,000 for United Way's 23-member agencies, which was short of the $625,000 goal set last fall.
The 2008-2009 campaign had raised $627,000.
Brosnan singled out a number of major donors, most of which were represented at the breakfast meeting. The "Platinum Award" honorees for gifts that amounted to $25,000 to $100,000 were Specialty Minerals, South Adams Savings Bank, North Adams Regional Hospital and Hoosac Bank. The "Gold Award" honorees for raising between $10,000 and $25,000 were Adams Co-Operative Bank, Williams College, Greylock Federal Credit Union, General Dynamic Advanced Info Systems, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Storey Publishing, True North Financial Services, and Crane & Co. Personal Design.
In launching this coming year's campaign, Green reiterated the effort's purpose.
"I believe we have a responsibility to those who live beside us," said the retired MCLA professor. "No matter what their situation may be."
And he underscored the urgency of the effort, noting a recent federal study that had found one in seven Americans are currently living in poverty.
"It may not sound like that much, but it is that much," he said. "That's more than it has been in several decades."
Northern Berkshire United Way funds go to help support agencies that run programs in health care, family support, and education. Among its largest member agencies are Child Care of the Berkshires, Ecu-Health Care Inc., the Northern Berkshire YMCA, and Elder Services of Berkshire County.
In her printed report, outgoing President Maureen Baran of South Adams Savings Bank praised the campaign and its volunteers, and noted a few changes.
"In the midst of economic instability, the board took a hard look at the budget and made some tough decisions that have allowed, the organization to continue to be financially sound," she wrote. That included reducing staff by a half-time position, and moving to new office space on South Church Street.
 The NBUW's leaders Steve Green, president of the annual campaign, McGovern and incoming board President Thomas Rumboldt. |
Executive Director Joseph McGovern thanked Baran for her service, noting that she began in fall 2008 just as the economy was beginning its steep slide, and that she oversaw the search and transition to a new director.
"She brought a level of passion and leadership that not only kept us afloat, but positioned us for the future," he said.
The meeting also helped set in place the organization's leadership for the next year. Baran will continue as a member of the board, but will be succeeded as president by attorney Thomas Rumboldt, who had been the vice president of the board.
Most of the board was renewed for another term and many officers will continue in their posts. That includes Amy Giroux of South Adams Savings Bank as vice president for agency relations, former director Jack Gould as VP for community needs, Brosnan as VP for campaign, and Mike Hoffman of TD Bank as VP for finance.
This was the first annual meeting for McGovern, who took the executive director post in May after previous head James Canavan departed to return to run Soldier On. He said it has been a smooth start to the job.
"It's an exciting time to come in," he said. "We're happy to be going out to make a difference."
