Dear friends,
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Executive Director Janet Milkman with the Marion Institute staff at last month’s holiday party. Clockwise, from top left: Adam, Nicole, Ryan, Jane, Millie, Abby, Angela, Janet, and Robyn
As you???ve all heard by now, Friday will be my last day at the Marion Institute. I???m leaving with such gratitude: for the leadership and inspiration of Michael and Margie Baldwin; for the support and strategy from the Marion Institute Board ??? Joan, Pattie, Orson, Ryan and John; for the incredible good-spirited teamwork from the staff of the Marion Institute ??? Robyn, Angela, Abby, Zoe, Adam, Millie, Jane, Ryan, Nicole and Yveldy, and the creativity of our communications team ??? Kevin Kertscher, Diana Painter, Sarah Athanas and Medium Studios. I???m lucky to have had a chance to get to know so many who work to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.
I???ve learned that the SouthCoast is a beautiful, interesting and challenging place and too much of a well-kept secret. ??
I???m grateful to have experienced a life-changing visit to view The Himalayan Project work in Chaurikharka, Nepal with Sally Hunsdorfer. Nothing could have prepared me for the need I witnessed and the value of small, independent community organizations like Sally and Karsang???s in meeting those needs.
I cherish new relationships with strong and savvy leaders of our Greenhouse Initiatives in India, Kenya, Costa Rica and locally. ?? Together, we accomplished much.
We???ve transitioned from Connecting for Change to the Connector Series, expanded support for Grow Education and brought on four new Greenhouse Initiatives. We took on the SouthCoast Energy Challenge to bring energy conservation to those households that stand to benefit most from but are least likely to learn about MassSave programs. ??
Most exciting, the Marion Institute is now positioned to take on the major challenge of building the first Biomed Clinic on the East Coast, and developing the biological medicine network in a way it was first envisioned: to advocate for changes in our healthcare system that allow and support biomed, and provide ???vetting??? of cutting edge biomed research, practice and technology.
I???ll be watching these developments with great anticipation. ?? As I turn my focus over the bridge to the Barnstable Land Trust on the Cape, I???m bringing with me the knowledge of the wonderful people and organizations in New Bedford and the South Coast. I am aiming to keep these ties and look for ways to link up and collaborate.
I ask that you stay in touch and remember that the bridge is not a barrier, but a connection! ?? Please connect with me at janetmilkman@me.com after Friday and janet@blt.org after January 23rd. ??
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2017 and beyond,
Janet Milkman, Executive Director