Berkshire Co-op Market board president appointed to NOSB
Great Barrington — Berkshire Co-op Market Board President Dan Seitz was appointed earlier this year to a five-year term as a consumer/public interest member on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is a 15-member federal advisory board within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on issues and questions related to organic agriculture production and approves or prohibits various substances for use in organic farming and food processing. The NOSB’s regulations serve as the basis that allows producers to display the “USDA Organic” seal on their products.
In addition to consumer members like Seitz, the NOSB includes organic farmers/producers; environmentalists; resource conservationists; organic food processors; an organic grocery retailer; a scientist in a field such as toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; and a USDA-accredited organic certifying agent.
–E.E.
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Nonprofit program evaluation workshop
Lee — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will hold a workshop for nonprofits on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at October Mountain Financial Advisors.
“The Use of Surveys in Program Evaluation,” to be taught by Mary Nash, will focus on the use of surveys as a tool for nonprofits to measure the effectiveness of their organizations and programs. Participants will learn how to write good questions, analyze results, report findings, and use data to implement change.
Mary Nash, an independent consultant who works with nonprofits to develop and evaluate programs, specializes in the areas of education and workforce development. She has worked with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire United Way and Pittsfield Public Schools to write grant proposals, conduct evaluation studies, and develop strategic plans. She is a graduate of Boston University’s Public and Non-Profit Management MBA program and has two certificates in evaluation from the Evaluators’ Institute at Claremont Graduate University.
The cost of the workshop is $40 for Nonprofit Center members and $50 for non-members. To register, call (413) 645-3151.
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank to offer seminar on elder abuse and fraud
Canaan, Conn. — Salisbury Bank, Geer Village and Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) will offer about elder abuse and fraud on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Geer Village.
The seminar will look at what elder abuse is and how to protect from it, how to avoid financial exploitation, information about perpetrators and who is at risk, and how to choose a homecare company. The participating panel of experts will include Geer Village Director of Business Development Karen Kuhl, SVNA Home Assistance Director Meghan Plouffe, and Salisbury Bank Training Manager Dayna Cook.
Reservations are suggested though not required. To make reservations, call Kevin Norton at (860) 435-9801 x1010 or email at knorton@salisburybank.com and type “Elders” in the subject line.
–E.E.
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BTCF awards fall grants cycle
Sheffield — The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s (BTCF) board of directors has announced the recipients of the third round of grant-making for 2016. The foundation distributed a total of $50,134 in grants to individuals and nonprofits in the four-county region it serves and grants totaling nearly $720,000 from donors with charitable funds at the foundation.
Arts and Culture: Grants to arts organizations and arts programs in North Adams totaled $17,324. Select grant recipients include Drury High School ($2,500), for provide a free music camp to students in fifth through ninth grades; E3 Academy ($1,300), for a program that teaches students about the importance of active listening, cooperation and appropriate risk-taking through drumming lessons; Greylock Elementary School ($3,000), to incorporate GarageBand computer software into music courses; and Albany Berkshire Ballet ($3,024), for students of Colegrove Park Elementary School to attend an interactive performance of “The Nutcracker.”
Health and Human Services: Grants to programs providing social and human services totaled $1,960. Grant recipients include Drury High School ($1,000), for its annual senior citizens’ prom; and Brayton Elementary School ($960), for its empathy awareness workshop.
Environment: The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation received $350 for all kindergarten students in North Adams to visit Sheep Hill, a former dairy farm used for environmental education programs and outdoor activities.
A full online list of regional grants is available.
–E.E.
