Recent
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Annual
Membership Meeting 2010
On Friday, June
25, 2010 the Suffolk Community Council held its Annual Membership
Meeting at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge. Our
scheduled keynote speaker, Congressman Tim Bishop was needed
in Washington, DC and so his legislative aid, Bilal Malik
spoke on his behalf. Mr. Malik spoke about the new Health
Care Plan and how it will affect the non-profit organizations.
This year's recipient of the Maxine Postal award for Human
Dignity was Greta Guarton from the Long Island Coalition for
the Homeless. Returning board members were sworn in by Council
Second Vice President, Lisa Di Santo Grossman.
The Maxine Postal Award
Maxine Postal was a Suffolk County Legislator, past Presiding
Office of the Legislature and a real friend to health and
human services. A tireless advocate for the poor and vulnerable,
she used her political position to further her fight for what
was right and decent for all people regardless of race, color,
sexual or political preferences. She was a champion of all
champions. Sadly, Maxine passed away in January of 2004 leaving
a legacy of human dignity and advocacy for others to carry
on. Every year, the Suffolk Community Council honors
a worthy recipient of the Maxine Postal Award for Human Dignity
to a person who has dedicated themselves to the spirit and
principles exhibited by Maxine Postal. This year, the
Suffolk Community Council was pleased to honor Greta Guarton
for her many years of dedication to helping the homeless on
Long Island.
Past recipients of the Maxine
Postal award are:
2004 Rabbi Steven A. Moss
2005 Janet Walerstein
2006 Michele Del Monte
2007 Nancy Nunziata & Sister Mary Ryan
2008 Peter Barnett
2009 Sister Margaret Smyth
Please
click the link below to view pictures from the event:
Annual
Meeting 2010 Photos
The
Council's 2009 Annual Report is now online; please go to this
link to view it in PDF format: http://suffolkcommunitycouncil.org/documents/2009AnnualReport.pdf2009AnnualReport
Census
Concert 2010
On April 24, 2010 The
Suffolk Community Council co-sponsored a Census Concert with
Voto Latino to bring awareness to the importance of the Census
2010. At this exciting event the Suffolk Community Council
picked a winner for our Census Raffle. Out of 3000 raffle
tickets Elza Gonzalez, mother of 4 children won
the first prize of a $500 Pathmark grocery gift card.
Pictured below is Angie
Aguilar, staff member of the Suffolk Community Council and
Elza Gonzalez.
Please click
the link below to view more photos from the Census Concert:
Census
Concert 2010 Photos
Annual
Membership Meeting 2009
On
Friday, September 18, 2009 the Suffolk Community Council held
our Annual Meeting with Steve Israel as the keynote speaker.
Congressman Israel spoke about the Health Care Debate in a
very clear and easy to understand way. Below is but a brief
synopsis of his comments:
He compared the proposed HEALTH EXCHANGE to a shopping mall
– where one could go and browse as if going to different
shoe stores. But in the middle of this mall might also be
a kiosk which is called a PUBLIC OPTION – with no pressure
to choose it. It would merely be available for all to consider
and make a decision about it as another choice we might make.
He used an analogy of how among his 2 daughters, one is his
‘affordable’ daughter who goes to SUNY Albany
and the other is his “expensive” daughter who
chose to attend a private college. Picking an insurance company
might be viewed as similar to picking a college - you can
pay for a more expensive one or you can pay for one that is
just as good, fully accredited but a bit more affordable.
Experience has shown that one type of college education has
not crowded out or disadvantaged the other – they serve
different needs for different people just as a regulated insurance
market can do.
CALL TO ACTION:
He urged us all to close ranks and demonstrate our support
for good reform. We’ve waited over 100 years so far,
shouldn’t have to wait any longer because:
Reform is essential – or else we’ll all price
ourselves out of care entirely!
Insurance Premiums have increased more than 80% in the past
10 years; cost of an average family plan is now ~$15,000 a
year!
The insurance industry last year made profits of $30 Billion,
while the number of uninsured continues to rise.
We must end pre-existing condition exclusions & insurance
companies’ current ability to drop people from coverage
when they get sick, even though they’ve paid their premiums
(this is called “rescission”). [These types of
changes are usually characterized as ‘insurance market
reforms’ but they won’t fully address the issue
of the many who are uninsured and underinsured.]
Please
click the link below to view pictures from the event:
Annual
Meeting 2009 Photos
The
Council's 2008 Annual Report is now online; please go to this
link to view it in a PDF format. http://www.suffolkcommunitycouncil.org/documents/SCCannualreport2008.pdf
Economic
Stimulus Event
On Friday, April
17, 2009, the Suffolk Community Council held a forum for our
members on the Economic Stimulus. This program was initiated
by the Council’s Board of Directors, who feared that
money available to Long Island groups might not be utilized
unless more information was circulated on the categories of
funds available, how to apply and the relevant deadlines were
more publicized. Sewers, mass transit, the power grid, etc.
have been getting lots of headlines, but not the other funding
sources in the Economic Stimulus Plan – particularly
funds that may be available for health and human services.
Over 50 human service organizations and agencies were in attendance.
The keynote speaker was Congressman Tim Bishop who spoke eloquently
on the overall picture of the stimulus funds that are available.
Four panelists presented more in-depth look at where funds
are available. Mark Grossman from the NY State Department
of Labor spoke about labor issues and funding availabilities,
Todd Stebbins from the LI Power Authority spoke on energy
and technology funding opportunities, Joe Sanseverino from
the Suffolk County Department of Community Development spoke
on housing and funding opportunities, and Paule Pachter, Executive
Director of LI Cares, the Harry Chapin Food Bank spoke about
hunger and nutrition and funding availabilities. Handouts
included information about all of the issues as well as helpful
websites.
Call us at 631-434-9277 for copies of the handouts or for
more information.
Annual
Membership Meeting
On June 19, 2008
the Suffolk Community Council held its Annual Membership Meeting
at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge. Suffolk County
Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Graham, Suffolk County Dept.
of Health Services, Division of Mental Hygiene Director Thomas
MacGilvray, and Nurse Practitioner Margaret Sukhram addressed
the audience on their perspectives on emerging health needs.
This year's recipient of the 5th Maxine Postal award for Human
Dignity was Peter Barnett, Executive Director of Wyandanch
Homes and Property Development Corp. New Council board
members and returning board members were sworn in by Suffolk
County Executive Steve Levy.
The Maxine Postal Award
Maxine Postal was a Suffolk County Legislator, past Presiding
Office of the Legislature and a real friend to health and
human services. A tireless advocate for the poor and vulnerable,
she used her political position to further her fight for what
was right and decent for all people regardless of race, color,
sexual or political preferences. She was a champion of all
champions. Sadly, Maxine passed away in January of 2004 leaving
a legacy of human dignity and advocacy for others to carry
on.
Every year, the Suffolk Community Council honors a worthy
recipient of the Maxine Postal Award for Human Dignity to
a person who has dedicated themselves to the spirit and principles
exhibited by Maxine Postal.
This year, the Suffolk Community Council was pleased to honor
Peter Barnett for his many years of dedication to helping
the homeless in the Wyandanch area.
Past recipients of the Maxine Postal award are:
2004 Rabbi Steven A. Moss
2005 Janet Walerstein
2006 Michele Del Monte
2007 Nancy Nunziata & Sister Mary Ryan
Please
click the link below to view pictures from the event:
Annual
Meeting 2008 Photos
75th
Anniversary Gala
On Thursday, May
8, 2008 the Suffolk Community Council held their 75th Anniversary
awards celebration at the Venetian Yacht Club in Babylon.
The over 200 people in attendance were inspired by the speeches
from the honorees and those who introduced them. There
were many fun raffle basket prizes, a Silent Auction for theatre
tickets and a raffle for two Southwest Airline tickets.
Kay Kidde
was the recipient of the Long Island Woman of the Year award
for her role in serving as the co-founder of Maureen’s
Haven a program that houses the east-end homeless
Ernie Canadeo was the recipient of the Long
Island Man of the Year for his long commitment to non-profits
on Long Island.
Lauren Terrazzano was the recipient of the
Long Island Advocate of the Year (posthumously) for her many
wonderful articles written on the homeless and children. Lauren’s
father, Frank, accepted the ward on behalf of his daughter
who died a year ago of lung cancer.
Family Service League was the recipient of
the first annual Long Island Agency of the Year for their
role in the community and as one of the founding organizations
of the Suffolk Community Council. Rick VanDyke, CEO of the
Family Service League accepted on behalf of his agency.
The beautiful setting overlooking the Great South Bay was
the ideal place to honor this year’s recipients of the
awards while recognizing the good work of the entire agency
and its 75 year history. If you would like to know more about
the Suffolk Community Council or its programs please call
us at 631-434-9277.
Click
here for highlights from the 75-year History of the Suffolk
Community Council
Please click
the link below to view pictures from the event:
Gala
2008 Photos
Gala
Kick-Off
The Suffolk Community
Council held a Gala Kickoff on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in
order to introduce this year's honorees; Kay Kidde, Ernie
Canadeo and Family Service League. In addition to the
honorees, board members and staff of the Council were present
and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and beverages made
by the SCC staff. This Kickoff was for the 75th Anniversary
celebration taking place on May 8th at the Venetian Yacht
Club in Babylon Village from 6 to 10PM.
Funding
Trends Seminar
On April 30, 2008
Marian Conway, Executive Director of the Roslyn Savings Foundation
presented an informational seminar about funding trends from
the perspective of Roslyn Savings Foundation. the very
informative presentation was received well by those in attendance
and many useable, hands-on suggestions were revealed.
For more information about this and future seminars, please
call our office at 631-434-9277
Marketing
for the Baby Boomers Seminar
On March 20, 2008
Warren Wartell and Paul Arfin gave a presentation on how to
market the Baby Boomer population. With many Boomers
reaching retirement age, social service agencies will need
to find a way to better market to them to get them to volunteer
their expertise. There was a lot of practical suggestions
and applications given. For more information about this
and future seminars, please call our office at 631-434-9277.
Legislative
Reception & Public Forum
On October 19, 2007
Suffolk Community Council held its annual Legislative Reception
and Public Forum at the Long Island Sheraton in Smithtown.
Guest Speakers Senator John Flanagan, Assemblyman Marc Alessi
and Deputy Presiding Officer Vivian Viloria-Fisher spoke about
social services issues and the contract process with specific
emphasis on funds that pass through the State to Suffolk County.
From the event an action agenda was drafted...more to come.
Click
here to view more photos from the 2007 Legislative Receptions
& Public Forum
Annual
Meeting & Breakfast
On June 20, 2007
the Suffolk Community Council held its Annual Membership Meeting
at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel in Hauppauge. Suffolk
County Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay addressed the audience
on issues pertaining to health and human services. This year
the Council had two recipients of the 4th Maxine Postal award
for Human Dignity - Nancy Nunziata of HELP Suffolk and Sister
Mary Ryan of the Open Word. New Council board members
and returning board members were sworn in by Suffolk Community
Council's President, Michael McClain.
Click
here to view Presiding Officer Lindsay's Speaking Points
The Maxine
Postal Award
Maxine Postal was a
Suffolk County Legislator, past Presiding Office of the Legislature
and a real friend to health and human services. A tireless
advocate for the poor and vulnerable, she used her political
position to further her fight for what was right and decent
for all people regardless of race, color, sexual or political
preferences. She was a champion of all champions.
Sadly, Maxine passed away in January of 2004 leaving a legacy
of human dignity and advocacy for others to carry on.
Every year, the Suffolk
Community Council honors a worthy recipient of the Maxine
Postal Award for Human Dignity to a person who has dedicated
themselves to the spirit and principles exhibited by Maxine
Postal.
This year, the Suffolk
Community Council was pleased to honor Nancy Nunziata as one
of the recipients of the Maxine Postal award for her hard
work and dedication to women dealing with domestic violence
and homelessness, and we were equally pleased to honor Sister
Mary Ryan for her hard work and dedication to teaching literacy
to women who are poor and disadvantaged.
Past recipients of
the Maxine Postal award are:
Rabbi
Steven A. Moss
Janet
Walerstein
Michele
Del Monte
Please click
the link below to view pictures from the event:
Annual
Meeting 2007 Photos
Accounting
Trends Seminar
On
June 7, 2007 the Suffolk Community Council held an interesting
and timely seminar on "Forensic Accounting".
Don Musgnug and Brian Carlson from the Fuoco Group informed
attendees of the intricacies of forensic accounting and gave
updates on fraud and identity theft. For a copy
of the handouts, please call us at 631-434-9277 or email us
at info@suffolkcommunitycouncil.org.
Celebrating
Connections Fundraiser
On May 3, 2007 the Suffolk Community Council held its annual
Celebrating Connections fundraising event at Flowerfield in
St. James. Each year the Council honors a worthy recipient
of the Long Island Man of the Year and
the Long Island Woman of the Year.
The Long
Island Man of the Year award was presented to Mr.
Michael L. Nolan, former CEO & President of Southside
Hospital.
The Long
Island Woman of the Year award was presented to Ms.
Linda Howard Weissman, Assistant Dean for Institutional
Advancement at Touro Law Center.
The awards are given
each year to individuals who have demonstrated a life-long
commitment to promoting the Suffolk Community Council's mission
of improving the quality of life for residents of Suffolk
County while fostering self-determination and empowerment.
We also presented
our Long Island Advocate of the Year award.
This award is given each year to a recipient who has given
their time and energy to make life better for others.
The recipient of the Long Island Advocate of the Year
award this year was Ms. Mary Lou Beldy, volunteer
for organizations such as AARP, Family Service League and
VIBS.
Attendees enjoyed
a buffet dinner, cocktails, wonderful speeches and raffle
prize fun.
Be sure to watch
for the announcement of next year's event celebrating 75 years
of the Council!
Please click
the link below to view more pictures from the event:
Gala
2007 Photos
Managing
Conflict Seminars
With over 40 people
in attendance at Suffolk Community Council's April 12, 2007
seminar, Mary Eisenstein from Chrysalis presented two trainings
on Managing Conflict. The morning session was directed
to employees and the afternoon session was for managers.
A follow-up seminar will take place shortly with more details
and role play. Watch for more information about this
next Managing Conflict seminar.
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