Save Pond Eddy Bridge Update...Saturday Campaign Launch Great Success

It is OFFICIAL...with attendance this past Saturday in Pond Eddy of fifty people, including representatives of two National Environmental Organizations, efforts to save the Pond Eddy Bridge can officially be called a movement.

Veterans Toss Wreath Off Bridge

State Assembly Woman Aileen Gunther has officially asked Governor Cuomo to include the Pond Eddy Bridge in the state's full infrastructure review with emphasis given to exploring alternatives (restoration) to tearing the historical bridge down and replacing it.  Her request makes perfect since when you realize the importance of the fragile environment, the importance around Pond Eddy which is a part of the great natural resource that is the Delaware River which is home to the federally listed endangered species, the American Bald Eagle which calls the area around the Pond Eddy Bridge its home.

There are alternative options.

Aileen Gunther Speaks

1.  Restore and preserve the historic bridge as the National Landmark that it is.

2.  The state of Pennsylvania could extend a road into the small community that lives on the Pennsylvania side of the river, a solution that would cost less money, and avoid impacting the fragile ecosystem of the Delaware River.

3.  A combination that would include both extending a road into the community on the PA side, and restoration and preservation of the bridge.

Organizations who have so far joined the fight, are now working with "Friends of the Pond Eddy Bridge" include:

Catskill Mountainkeeper 

Delaware Riverkeeper Network

Historic Bridge Foundation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Pike County Preservation Trust

Preservation League of New York State

Preservation Pennsylvania

Sullivan-Warwarsing REAP Zone

Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition

Upper Delware Scenic Byway

Please get involved in this effort to save the Pond Eddy Bridge.  Sign the Petition, visit the websites that are promoting the campaign, and make plans now to attend the next major event at the bridge on August 4, 2012 when boaters will symbolically join in a boat chain from shore to shore.

Friends of Pond Eddy

Save the Pond Eddy Bridge

You can sign the petition to save the bridge here.

Sullivan Non Profit Summit at Bethel Woods

WHAT:           SULLIVAN NONPROFIT SUMMIT

WHEN:          Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:        Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

CONTACT:   Amanda Langseder, ags97@cornell.edu or 845-292-6180

 

SULLIVAN NONPROFIT SUMMIT

Wednesday, March 7 at BethelWoods Center for the Arts

BETHEL – The 2012 Sullivan Nonprofit Summit will take place on Wednesday, March 7 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

This year’s summit will continue its focus on fostering leadership and collaboration among the region’s rural nonprofits to generate greater impact and support.  It will also acknowledge innovative ideas that have produced practical results, and can be used as a model by other nonprofits in the region and beyond. 

Educational sessions will include: “Building a Strong, Successful Board,” “Role of Nonprofits in Revitalizing the Region,” “Pursuing Government Grants” and a panel discussion with regional professionals.  Nonprofit representatives will learn what is really working for nonprofits in the region and for the communities they serve.  Speakers will also share stories and models of successful collaborative efforts among rural nonprofits and communities.

“Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is pleased to host for the second time the Sullivan Nonprofit Summit,” said summit host and Bethel Woods CEO Darlene Fedun, “As a nonprofit we take seriously our role as a cultural and civic center, where we celebrate the arts and their essential role in creating vibrant and engaged communities.  The summit is an example of our continuing commitment to serve as community convener and catalyst for innovative ways to inspire citizenship and re-vitalize our region.”

The featured lunchtime keynote speaker is Doug Bauer of the Clark Foundation, which helps individuals lead independent and productive lives, and supports nonprofits and programs in New York City and Cooperstown, NY.  In addition to the Clark Foundation, Bauer is also executive director of the Scriven and Fernleigh Foundations.  He serves on boards or committees for Children’s Health Fund, The Melalucca Foundation and Philanthropy New York (formerly NYRAG).  

Bauer’s on philanthropy have been featured in the Associated Press, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Contribute, The Financial Times, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal and on NPR and CNBC.  He has co-authored, with Steven Godeke, Philanthropy’s New Passing Gear: Mission Related Investing, A Policy and Implementation Guide for Foundation Trustees.  

The afternoon of the summit will focus on breakout sessions designed to give nonprofits in similar fields the opportunity to meet and develop potential projects for collaboration, and will also include the announcement of the Sullivan Regional Innovation Award by Darlene Fedun.

“Through the annual Sullivan Nonprofit Summit we aim to highlight and address in innovative ways the special challenges our regional nonprofits face compared to their metropolitan counterparts,” said summit steering co-chair Linda C. Hartley of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and Hartley Consulting, Inc., “Studies show, for example, that while poverty is more common in rural than in urban areas, large foundations awarding more than $4 million per year gave only $530 million to rural nonprofits in 2009, or 1% of out of the $46 billion awarded by all foundations.  By joining forces on creative programs, advocacy and support we can more effectively serve the people and communities of our region.” 

Summit steering committee co-chair Amanda Langseder from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County said, “The summit is itself, a great example of the power of nonprofit collaboration.  Committee members representing nearly a dozen organizations have pulled together to make this year’s summit a surefire success.  The members of the committee meet regularly, giving of their precious time and resources.  This year’s event will be a comprehensive day of professional development, leadership training, networking and encouraging messages to all who take pride in working for a nonprofit organization.”

This year’s summit steering committee includes:

·         Tracy Carluccio, Delaware Riverkeeper Network

·         Susan Diamond, SullivanArc

·         Alexis L. Eggleton, Town of Wallkill Boys and Girls Clubs, Inc.

·         Darlene Fedun, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (summit host)

·         KristinGeeslin

·         Linda C. Hartley, Hartley Consulting, Inc. (co-chair)

·         Maria Ingrassia, SUNY Sullivan

·         KathyKrieter

·         Amanda Langseder, Cornell Cooperative Extension (co-chair)

·         Ann K. Manby, Catskill Art Society

·         Christine Maraia, Orange Regional Medical Center   

·         Karen Van Houten Minogue, Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan

·         Laura A. Quigley, Workforce Development

·         Jonathan Rouis, Sullivan County Legislator

·         Whitney Schlott, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

·         Kaytee Warren, Chief Professional Officer, United Way of Sullivan County

               

The summit event sponsors are CatskillHudson Bank, the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, Jeff Bank and SUNYSullivan.

For more information or to sponsor the March 7^th Sullivan Nonprofit Summit, contact Amanda Langseder at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County at 845-292-6180, ags97@cornell.edu.  To register for the Summit please contact Cindy Niven at 845-292-6180, cn55@cornell.edu.