ANNUAL MEETING 2011
Thanks to all who attended!
MyRWA's Annual Meeting was held at the Arlington Senior Center on Tuesday, October 25th.
Melissa Hoffer of Conservation Law Foundation was the guest speaker.Melissa Hoffer, Vice President and Director of Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice at the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) brought the attention of over 90 people to the need for legal advocacy in environmental protection and for the restoration of the Mystic River. Melissa began by recalling her experiences on the Mystic, including kayaking and testing water quality. “Today’s laws are only as strong as we make them,” she said. Her message about the need for strong advocacy by MyRWA was loud and clear and her optimism also came through. “There are days when I question our effectiveness and days when I celebrate it.” Melissa said. She reminded us that we are not in a sprint but a marathon.
Email your feedback about the meeting to Beth@Mysticriver.org.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: THE OLSON FAMILY
Andrew, Tom and Tracy Olson receive award from Patrick Herron. Photo by David Mussina.Each year, MyRWA recognizes the outstanding contributions of a single volunteer who has gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to document or help improve the conditions of the Mystic River. This year, MyRWA had the unique opportunity to award the Volunteer of the Year Award to the Olson family: Tracy and Tom and their 3 children, Andrew, Erica and Lydia. Over ten years ago Tracy began sampling the Aberjona River as part of MyRWA's Baseline Monitoring Program. Through this program, Tracy intended to connect her children with hands-on science. Their 10+ years of collective monitoring efforts include 120 visits to the river and hundreds of hours of volunteering!
Congratulations to the well-deserving Olson family!
RIPPLE AWARD OF RECOGNITION: JACK MARKLEY
The Ripple Award highlights the work of an individual that while seemingly small or localized has far reaching impacts on the larger community - much like ripples that are sent out from throwing a rock in a pond. The 2011 Ripple Award honored Jack Markley, in memoriam, as a tireless advocate for Belle Isle Marsh and the local environment. Jack lived along Belle Isle Marsh and was passionately invested in its cleanup as well as sharing this valuable and beautiful resource with others. Jack was active in many environmental groups, including MyRWA and the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. He truly served as a testament to one person making a difference. MyRWA is coordinating with other groups to develop a memorial at Belle Isle Marsh. Jack's sister, Sue Gray, accepted the award on his behalf.
2012 MyRWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Officers
- President: John Reinhardt
- Vice-President: Michael Fager
- Treasurer: Minka vanBeuzekom
- Secretary: Mark Jacobson
Members whose term expires October 2012
- Mark Jacobson
- Lori Kennedy
- Michael O’Brien
- Maria Simoneau
- Minka vanBeuzekom
Members whose term will expire in October 2013
- Michael Fager
- Karen Grossman
- Carolyn Mieth
- Stephen Murphy
- Clay Larsen
- John Reinhardt
2012 Nominating Committee
- Mark Jacobson
- Clay Larsen
- John Reinhardt
Are you interested in serving on the MyRWA Board of Directors? Contact John Reinhardt, MyRWA President, for more information.