Posted by Nancy Danforth on Mar 23, 2022
This morning's guest speakers were Marcelle Bunbury-Whitcomb and Robert Whitcomb of Workwright Vermont.
 

Marcelle Bunbury-Whitcomb & Robert Whitcomb

www.workwrightvermont.org

Provide skills and training for military, disabled, young adults and disengaged teens.

 

Susan called the meeting to order at 7:30.

 

Linda Gilbert shared opening words.

 

Introduced our guests: Marcelle Bunbury-Whitcomb & Robert Whitcomb along with Frank and his small daughter.

 

Susan reminded us of the Spin-A-Thon coming up on April 9.  If members cannot spin, please consider making a donation and denote “AED” on check donations.

 

Race Vermont will need twelve volunteers for a half marathon on May 7.

 

France will be on vacation on April 27.  The club members can plan to bring quiche, breads and muffins along with fruit.  We still have no replacement for France, her last day is May 25.

 

The Farmers Market sign up sheet is circulating today.  We will have two volunteers per week to manage the tent which will include set up and take down. Hoping to have a theme each week. Dave Micklas announced the Vermont Community Garden Network will provide seeds for us to pass out one week, there are other giveaways in the works. Meals on Wheels, VT Community Garden Network, Champlain Valley School District, Shelburne Museum, The Boy Scouts and The Little Food Pantry are all great ideas for occupants. 

 

Susan advised past presidents to provide their mailing address to Linda Gilbert along with any other past presidents you are aware of. Invitations will be mailed to all past presidents for our Changing of the Guard Ceremony on June 24 which will coincide with the club’s fiftieth anniversary.  

 

Carrie announced there are now five RYLA candidates.  Susan and Dan will conduct the interviews.  The RYLA event will take place in Lyndon June 24 through the 26th. 

 

Carrie also shared that she and Susan are participating in a Spring Event for the 93 days of spring.  They are accepting donations on behalf of Rotary. 

 

Carole Obuchowski mentioned that donations made on the Rotary Foundation site for Poland Rotary are going through a grant process.  These monies are needed now to support Ukraine.  However, this is an emergency grant process and the monies will become available swiftly. 

 

Laurie Burke introduced Marcelle and Robert. They live in Shelburne, arriving here by way of London and Glens Falls, New York.  Marcelle has historic family ties to Fairfax, VT. 

 

Marcelle heard about our club through Dave Micklas.  Their organization will occupy our tent July 16 at The Farmers Market.   Pastor Robert Emery from Milton, VT is responsible for the birth of Workwright Vermont in September of 2014.  The mission is helping those who are at risk for falling through the cracks and teaching them sustainable, on the job skills. Covered Bridge was also a group Robert Emery founded, for incarcerated individuals.  Pastor Bob introduced them to the organization after meeting them since they were seeking to initiate this type of organization.  The model he used was The Delancey Street Foundation  in San Francisco, a pay it forward mentoring model.  The focus is on the building trades: plumbing, electrical, construction.  

They work a lot with military families, orienting them toward reintegration post conflict by teaching skills they can use in the workforce.  They also work with disengaged youth along with Elevation Christian Academy  teaching them how to work with others and be mission focused.  The goal is to place these kids into construction apprenticeship programs.  

Their current project is renovating a barn in Fairfax that belonged to Marcelle’s grandmother.  The barn will ultimately be a community center. 

Finally, the two year old organization is seeking partnerships with organizations like Vermont Land Trust.  With the availability of land they can expand their vision to teach gardening, farming and sustainability. 

 

Jim Donovan presented a choice to them for three books which will be donated to The Pierson Library.  They chose “101 Lessons Learned From Helping Military Members…” by Eric Wright.   

 

Susan adjourned the meeting at 8:30