The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has announced the results of the 2013/2014 election of officers and four new board members. At their annual meeting, the CFVI Board unanimously elected attorney George H.T. Dudley as chairman, Alda Monsanto as first vice chair, Victoria B. Saunders as second vice chair, Trudie J. Prior as secretary and William L. Graham as treasurer. Four new directors were also elected to the board: Scott Barber, Angelina Daswani, Letty Hulsman and Mark Robertson. The new directors began their three-year term of service immediately following the annual meeting on June 28.
Ricardo J. Charaf, who stepped down after serving as CFVI chair for the past 12 years, was named Chairman Emeritus by a unanimous vote in recognition of his moving the foundation to new heights during his tenure. At the meeting, the board also honored three board members who had completed the maximum service of nine years: Vivek Daswani, Betty Saks and Marie ThomasGriffith. Other current directors on the CFVI Board include Filippo Cassinelli, Lawrence Kupfer, Catherine Lockhart Mills, Margaret Sprauve-Martin, Claire Starkey, and emeritus directors: Henry and Penny Feuerzeig.
“We are so very thankful to the CFVI Board of Directors, new and returning members as well as past directors who provide the leadership needed to take the work of the foundation to new heights,” said CFVI president Dee Baecher-Brown. “These distinguished volunteers are tireless in their commitment to advancing the goals of the Community Foundation and to bringing positive change to our Virgin Islands.”
For almost 25 years, CFVI has supported programs committed to youth, learning, family support and the environment. The foundation is a leading advocate and supporter of programs that give children the best starts possible while ensuring opportunity and sustainability for the community in the future. CFVI operates or funds close to 50 community programs including: The Family Connection, scholarships, Kids Count data book, teacher grants, and emergency grants for families, seniors and medical assistance. It is a registered non-profit supported by individual donors, trusts, corporate donations and estate planning.