Sadowy Tapped As New RSVP Director
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The search committee for the new director of Retired Senior Volunteer Program has chosen to recommend Deborah Sadowy.
“I was delighted when the search committee came to inform me that Deborah was their choice for the position,” Mayor Bianchi said.
RSVP is funded in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service (Senior Corps) and in part by the city of Pittsfield. The program, which service people of, and over, the age of 55 who are living in Berkshire County, helps to train and place volunteers around the area. The seniors who participate in the program volunteer in fields such as public safety, health, environmental needs, and educational and human services.
Sadowy will replace Sheila Pia who is retiring from the position. Pia has been the drector of RSVP for two years and has worked with RSVP for 11 years.
“I am proud to have served with such a wonderful organization as RSVP and working with our sponsor, city of Pittsfield (Mayor Bianchi) and the Corporation of National Service," Pia said. "In the past two years as the director, I have recognized how important it was to work as a team with all of our community nonprofit organizations and I have learned what volunteering meant for our volunteers. “
"Sheila has done a remarkable job as director of RSVP," Bianchi said. "She is truly selfless and fosters an environment in which everyone around her feels valued. The work she has accomplished, along with the community partnerships she has forged, while director of R.S.V.P. are ones I have confidence will continue when Deborah takes over the position.”
The search and interview committee consisted of Eric Wilder, vice president of the RSVP board, from Goodwill Industries; Andy Perineck, Realtor and past president of RSVP; Rosemary Gould, secretary of RSVP and active community member; Vin Marinaro, treasurer of RSVP and director of the Council on Aging; and Carolyn Valli, executive director of Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.
The required qualifications for the director of RSVP were a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in community development, social work or related area, three to five years’ experience in administrative capacity with a background in supervising staff and working with elderly clients, strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability and accountability for fiscal and budgetary management.
After an extensive search and interview process, Sadowy was selected for her strong leadership skills, successful grant writing history, past experience in human resources, experience working with diverse cliental, extensive knowledge of the community and her strategic and program management skills.
“I am excited to accept the position of executive director of RSVP and feel I have the passion and energy to continue its progress," Sadowy said. "I believe this is a great time for a quote from Henry Ford, ‘Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.’ I look forward to working together with the staff, our volunteers and community agencies to engage in the quality of life benefits this program brings to the community.”
Sadowy’s past work experience includes the director of Human Resources and Quality Assurance, director of Program Operations for the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County, Community Resource director of the Pittsfield YMCA and Community Outreach coordinator at Hillcrest Educational Centers in Pittsfield.
“RSVPs are volunteers in action," Valli said. "Deborah is committed to making sure that all volunteers in action, of any age, have numerous opportunities to use their skills and talents to have an impact on our community. Deborah's energy and drive will better the lives of all people living in, or visiting, Berkshire County."
