Events

Helping the people of Rwanda afflicted with rheumatic heart disease. Dr. Leavitt has put his 28 years of experience as an attending in cardiac and thoracic surgery to good use with extensive surgical missionary work in Rwanda, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Panama, Russia and China. He has been the physician advisor to the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol (Stowe, VT) since 1988 and has been a volunteer physician leader for the Vermont City Marathon since 2007.

Music Director at VYO. Prior to his move to Vermont, he was the assistant conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Youth, the American Youth Symphony, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his professional positions, Alpízar was instrumental faculty at Lake Erie College in Northeast Ohio, and conducting faculty at CSU Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

The GMCB was created by the Vermont Legislature in 2011.  It is an independent group of five Vermonters who, with their staff, are charged with ensuring that changes in the health system improve quality while stabilizing costs. Nominated by a broad-based committee and appointed by the Governor. Owen Foster, J.D., is the Chair of the Board

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2026!

Michael is Champlain Housing Trust’s Chief Executive Officer having joined the leadership team in December 2007 and being appointed CEO in January, 2021. He has over 40 years of community and economic development experience both at the non-profit and municipal level. He worked at Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) from its creation and was its longest serving Director. Prior to CEDO, he was employed as Executive Director for several non-profit organizations including the King Street Center. Michael is also a founder and partner of the independent community development consultant group, Burlington Associates, where he worked with Community Land Trusts around the country. He serves on the Board of the National NeighborWorks Association, the Grounded Solutions Network and leads the CEO forum of the Housing Partnership Network. He is the Chair of HPIex, a national insurance captive that provides workers comp, health care and property and liability insurance to members of the Housing partnership Network. Michael Is a recipient of the  Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial, Community Leadership and has been recognized for his  work by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board with the Mollie Beattie award. Michael is a graduate of Achieving Excellence, a leadership program of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and NeighborWorks America. He holds a BA degree from Goddard College.

Dr. Joe Clark was recently selected as the superintendent for the South Burlington School District.  Today's discussion will be a dialogue with club members regarding what is going well and what could be improved in the district.  More about Joe here.

Dr. Joe Clark will be returning to the club to review the FY'27 school budget accompanied by SB School Board chair Seamus Abshere.

Bettina will discuss the status of South Burlington's progress on climate mitigation and resilience.

Michelle Hogle Acciavatti, Head cemetarian for Vermont Forest Cemetery will speak to us about Green Burials.  Vermont Forest Cemetery is 56 acres of upland mixed-hardwood forest located in the geographic center of Vermont, on the flanks of the third range of the Green Mountains.  More information on their website.

Erica Marks, director of volunteers, will speak to our club about will be talking about the many ways that folks can get involved helping elders maintain their independence and quality of life.  

Erica Marks is the Director of Volunteer Services at Age Well, a Vermont Area Agency on Aging. She holds a Master Degree in Psychology and has over 30 years of training and development experience, including psychosocial support. Age Well’s volunteer team recruits, trains and supports over 1100 volunteers. Supporting volunteers when they are in the field is critical to our mission. Volunteers are matched with older adults in the community, with the goal of developing meaningful relationships and providing valuable services.

Each committee chair will give an update.

There will be no morning meeting today as we are kicking off our Curling Challenge tonight with practice sessions.

Laura Tieschmann is the State Historic Preservation Officer.  She will be speaking on Vermont's plan for the 250 year celebration.

Joe is a new member to our club.  He will provide a classification talk to enlighten members about himself.

Sonya Vogel is a scientist with the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Sonya will be providing an update on how Lake Champlain is doing.

Cara is a new member to our club.  She will provide a classification talk to enlighten members about herself.

Beth is the President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. Beth will be discussing the changing landscape of healthcare in VT and the challenges the industry is currently facing. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's largest health insurer and is headquartered in Berlin, VT.

Bruce is a new member to our club but many of us are familar with him as we have heard of his incredible work with Team Heart. Bruce will be sharing more of his journey and enlightening members about himself.

Dr. Lewis First, Chief of Pediatrics of Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Vermont Health. Dr. First will be discussing the recent name change to Vermont's children's hospital as well as benefits and changes that will impact the hospital going forward. Dr. First has led the department of pediatrics since 1994 and is well known in the community, as well as the national level. You may have seen him on tv or heard him on the radio with "First with Kids" providing and promoting health education for our children.