Nathan G. Williams Award for Outstanding Volunteer Leadership

From the original notes regarding the creation of our regional YMCA, written in 1895:

"The first meeting for the purpose of considering the question of a Young Men's Christian Association for Bellows Falls was held on April 10. Previous to this time, a series of meetings were held... prompted by a desire for a YMCA. One man, Mr. Williams has had the subject on his heart and mind."

In 1895, Nathan Williams had both a vision of the positive role that a YMCA could play in the Bellows Falls region and the conviction to bring this vision to life. On September 2, 1895 his vision became reality when the Bellows Falls YMCA was incorporated with the State of Vermont. Mr. William's commitment is a legacy from which we all benefit today. To honor his enormous and enduring contribution to the Meeting Waters YMCA and the children, families, and communities it serves, we have created the Nathan G. Williams Award. This award recognizes the leadership and commitment of an individual or group to furthering the mission and impact of the Meeting Waters YMCA.

The recipients of the Nathan G. Williams Award to date are Tom Hernon (1999), Bettina McCrady (2000), Michael Dwinell (2001), Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald (2002); the members of the Founders Board of the Brattleboro facility project: Cyndi Cain Fitzgerald, Vicki Dunn, Dr. Bob Fagelson, Betty Frye, Gretchen Horton-Kuebler, Patty O'Donnell, Daryl Pillsbury, Laura Sperazi, and Russ West (2003); volunteers on the Operations & Planning Committee: Valerie Bailey, Guy Payne, Laura Sperazi, and Ken Walker (2006), Brattleboro facility Capital Campaign Co-Chairs Rick Fleming and George Haynes (2007) and Lee Soucy (2010).

Red Triangle Award for Outstanding Staff Leadership

In 1891, Dr. Luther Glick, Springfield (MA) Y staff member and "father of physical education", created the Red Triangle as "a symbol of man's essential unity of spirit, mind, and body..."

The Red Triangle Award is given annually to a staff person who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in support of the mission of the YMCA.

The recipients of the Red Triangle Awards to date are Susan Fortier (1999), Lynn LaFlam (2000), Barbara Dwinell (2001), Monique Perrault (2002), John Westover (2003) and Shellie Scism (2007).