From the President

Arlyn White,
Chapter President & CEO

“Join the movement, and move others” was the theme of the 2008 Chapter Conference and Annual Meeting. In these difficult economic times, increasing the resources available to the Chapter to continually help more people through more MS education, support, advocacy, and research will be a significant challenge. This challenge requires everyone in the MS community to be bold, imaginative, and collaborative. One way for the Chapter to gain new ground is for you, our existing clients and supporters, to encourage new people to take action by fundraising or by lending their time, their skill, or their connections to advance the mission. Each new person who joins the movement to create a world free of MS multiplies the opportunities to move forward by the number of people in their social, work, and family circles. While any one individual will have limits to the amount they can give, by asking someone to join the movement, you’re increasing our relationship to the community that much more. The same formula works whether it’s fundraising or volunteering. Remember, volunteering is not just about giving your time at an activity. It can also be about leveraging your business relationships to benefit the National MS Society through increased material resources or by simply providing access to the people in your organization. Regardless of the way in which you help the Society move forward to create a world free of MS, thank you!

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Chapter Conference & Annual Meeting

Nearly 450 people attended the Chapter Conference & Annual Meeting on November 21, which included eight workshops on MS symptom management, insurance, employment, advocacy, caregiving, and recreation. The luncheon featured keynote speakers Anthony Everett of WCVB-TV5’s Chronicle, and Kristie Salerno Kent, the singer and songwriter, who wrote, directed, and starred in “The Show Must Go On.”  The night before, 125 people attended the Shining Stars fundraising awards, and 48 people attended the Self Help Group Leader recognition dinner.

Eli Lipcon

Eli Lipcon, a 12-year Chapter Trustee, was elected Chapter Chairman to succeed Dan Rattner, who completed his second term. Additionally, three new Trustees were elected to the Board:  Douglas Clarke, Senior Partner at the law firm of Reimer & Braunstein, and member of Financial Resources Commission. Kate Patton, Senior Consultant and Psychotherapist at Wediko Children’s Services, and member of Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Patty Thorpe, Vice President of Marketing, North Middlesex Savings Bank, and member of Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Douglas Clarke	Kate Patton	Patty Thorpe

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Chapter members center stage at National Conference

Jeannie and Melody Felton performing on stage.

Piper McNealy, center, inducted into the Fundraising Hall of Fame.

More than two dozen Chapter volunteers and staff attended the Society’s National Conference in Chicago during November, including Chapter Trustees, staff, and team captains. Featured on stage were Jeannie and Melody Felton singing their original Challenge Walk song, Million Miles, to a standing ovation. Also in the spotlight were Don and Joyce Bilger to help showcase MS Week in Jackson Village, which they created at their New Hampshire bed & breakfast, Inn at Jackson.

Chapter Trustee, bike team captain, and Fashion Plates Chair Piper McNealy became the 14th inductee from the Central New England Chapter into the Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame for her fundraising success, generating over $150,000 since 1997.

And, for the sixth year, the Chapter was recognized for excellence in overall program delivery with the Circle of Honor Cavallo Award.