MSAC Advisory Council Ballot 2017

Thank you for helping to shape the future of the Montpelier Senior Activity Center.

Please note that voting is only open to current MSAC members. If you have a question about the status of your membership, please check in the office.

Deadline for voting is June 1, 2017.

There are three three-year terms and two two-year terms available. Term lengths for each elected candidate will be determined at the first meeting of the new council.

Save the date! MSAC’s Annual Meeting will take place at 12:45 on Tuesday, June 20, right after FEAST Together luncheon. Reserve a meal: call 262-6288 or email justbasicsinc@gmail.com.

Question Title

* 1. Please vote for no more than 5 of the following:

Fran Krushenick

I’m running for a place on the Advisory Council at MSAC and would like to tell you a little about myself. For forty-eight years, I worked as an early childhood educator, primarily in New York City. I taught three-, four-, and five-year olds, directed schools, and led workshops for teachers and parents. When I retired and moved to Vermont, I volunteered at Warren Elementary School in its four-year-old pre-K class, which I continue to do to this day. I also volunteer with the Everybody Wins reading program at Union Elementary School, work at the Montpelier Food Pantry, and at the community lunch at one of our local churches. I’ve been on the Program Committee and the Membership and Hospitality Committee here at MSAC. During the years that I was teaching and raising my three, now grown, children, I had no time to be involved in anything else. Now, I would like to give back to my community of seniors by returning to the Advisory Council. I served on the Council for two terms and then had this past year off as required by the by-laws. I would like to continue to help MSAC move ahead in the coming years and hope you will give me the opportunity to do so.

Mary Carlson

Mary is a Vermont native who has lived in the Montpelier area since 1969. She enjoys puzzles, laughter, active sports, reading, singing and volunteering at the library and MSAC. Her son, Josh, lives in South Burlington. Mary retired in late 2015 after 28 years as Food & Nutrition Program Coordinator for the state Department for Children and Families. That followed 14 years (1974-1987) as executive assistant for the agency now called Capstone Community Action. Both positions involved responsibility for public funds, program design/management, and participation in advisory groups. Mary was a founding board member of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, now called Hunger Free Vermont, as well as a founding board member and past president of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. She holds BA and MPA degrees from UVM, and has published research papers and reports on poverty-related topics.

dianne richardson

dianne was born in Montpelier, raised in Barre and lived in Montpelier most of her adult life. She has many interests including arts and crafts, movies, spiritual healing, politics, creating a more peaceful world, environmental action, farm and food issues, human rights, disability rights, etc. She has served on many boards, including twice being appointed to the Vermont Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Advisory Group by the Governor of Vermont. Currently, dianne serves on the City of Montpelier - Americans with Disabilities Committee, volunteers for Rural Vermont, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, at Bethany Church and in various capacities for Al-Anon Family Groups. “The Montpelier Senior Activity Center has been an important part of my life for over a decade, so I would be happy to serve on the board,” dianne says. “I am a nonconformist which is mostly why I do not capitalize my name,” she added.

Barbara Ladabouche

Barbara has experience working with community groups and on boards. She was an Extension Educator at the University of Connecticut for 30 years. Her job included planning, organizing, and evaluating programs for adults and youth based on university research. Barbara also leads Living Strong classes with Joan Barrett on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Liz Dodd

Liz first became active with MSAC, through her yearlong service placement as an Americorps member. She is now completing her three-year term on the MSAC Advisory Council. For the last year, she has served as Council Vice-Chair, and on the Finance Committee. MSAC has experienced significant growth over the last few years. Membership (both locally and from surrounding communities), programming, and financial support have all appreciably increased. Strong testament to the excellent services it provides.

Liz has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for many years. Having worked in a variety of medical settings, the primary focus of her practice is now with elders (many of whom are home bound) with medical problems. Because of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia on her clients, friends, and family, Liz joined with several other individuals to start the Montpelier Memory Café. The Café is now in its third year as a social gathering held the second Saturday each month for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and their care partners.

“I enjoy living in Montpelier and value the myriad opportunities MSAC has provided me these last four years,” Liz says. “My hope is to continue service on the Advisory Council as it works to meet the significant challenges and opportunities ahead.”

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