YMCA Southcoast Hosts 142nd Annual Meeting

June 18, 2009


YMCA Southcoast Holds Annual Meeting:Board of Directors Nominated, Heritage Club introduced, and Volunteers from across the Southcoast Region Recognized

On Thursday, June 11, YMCA Southcoast held its 142nd Annual Meeting at the Mattapoisett YMCA. Approximately 100 YMCA members, staff and community members were in attendance.

Charlie Decas, outgoing Chairman of the Board and member of the Nominating/Board Development Committee, gave the highlights of the Annual Report of 2008.

Jane Machado, Aquatic Director at the Fall River YMCA, presented the Dr. Goodwin Scholarship to Brooke Walsh.

After nearly three decades of service, Carl Robidoux was awarded Employee of the Year by Vice President and COO Nancy L. Bonell. Robidoux retired at the end of last year’s camp season to assume the role of Vice Principal at Dartmouth Middle School.

YMCA Southcoast also recognized its outstanding volunteers. Margaret D. Xifaras was honored by Gary Schuyler as YMCA Southcoast’s Volunteer of the Year.

Executive Directors from each of YMCA Southcoast’s five branches recognized their own volunteers:
· Carl Robidoux – Outstanding Mattapoisett Volunteer
· Lee Johns – Outstanding Wareham Volunteer
· Richard Medicke – Outstanding Dartmouth Volunteer
· Bill Roth – Outstanding New Bedford Volunteer
· Melissa Silvia – Outstanding Fall River Volunteer

Jennifer Golden, Development Director at YMCA Southcoast, introduced the newly formed Heritage Club. Alvin Shwartz, YMCA Southcoast since 1935 and Heritage Club member, spoke about his contributions and what YMCA Southcoast means to him.

The following were voted in as officers of YMCA Southcoast at the meeting: Lawrence T. Wilson, Chairman; Peter C. Bullard, 1st Vice Chairperson; Margaret Xifaras, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Dr. Brian K. Bowcock, Treasurer; Robert R. Coykendall, Clerk. The Nominating Committee of YMCA Southcoast also elected three new members to the Board of Directors: Sarah B. Lamothe, David Wright and William Burns.

YMCA Southcoast has been working to meet the health and social service needs of families and individuals throughout the Southcoast area for nearly 150 years. There are currently five branch sites serving more than 16,000 members. YMCAs embrace people of all ages, incomes, abilities, religions and ethnic backgrounds. Financial assistance is available for membership and programs. For more information, visit the nearest YMCA Southcoast branch, or go to www.ymcasouthcoast.org.