Last week the Bennington Coalition for the Homeless held their annual meeting. At the meeting it was announced they have changed their name and will now be called the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless. The Bennington Banner has a report from the meeting:
The Bennington Coalition for the Homeless will now be called the Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless, the organization announced at their annual meeting on Wednesday.
“Our guests come from all over the county to use our services,” said coalition secretary Mary Gerisch, who is also the founder of the Vermont Workers’ Center and a nationally-known activist. “We don’t want anyone to think our services are only available to the town of Bennington.”
The coalition also announced that it will be naming a paid executive director of the organization by early next year, a position that did not previously exist. The coalition is currently run by a board of directors made up by President Stacey New, Vice President Bob Marine, Gerisch, Treasurer Sarah White, Kathleen Wilkinson, Nora Lantz, Nan Lowary, Ceil Petrucelli, and Brian Maroney.
Chris Oldham, who also serves as the circulation sales and marketing manager for New England Newspapers, Inc., the parent company of the Bennington Banner, was previously the treasurer of the organization, but stepped down from the board earlier in the meeting. He will remain with the coalition as an advisor. Sarah White, the newest member of the board, was elected treasurer in his place.
The coalition also honored staff members Tiffany Sausville and Sharon Farrell for their service. New presented them both with flowers and a gift bag.
“They appreciate the courage it takes to be homeless and to strive towards stability. Their courage gives others the courage to do that,” said Gerisch of Sausville and Farrell.
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