Meet the Falmouth VIPS Board of Directors
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Falmouth VIPS has a Board of Directors. The board meets monthly throughout the school year. The role of the Board of Directors is to help fulfill the organization mission, which is: To enrich the lives of students by promoting volunteerism, creating impactful programs, and forging community partnerships. The VIPS Board is made up of individuals from the community with an interest in education, youth, and community service. Membership includes a liaison from the school committee and the faculty. Member terms are three years and members may serve two consecutive terms. Members of the executive committee serve one-year terms and can be re-appointed for the duration of their term.
Falmouth VIPS Board Members (L to R): Liz Lerner, Pauline Peters, Carrie Shanahan, Drawde Geishecker, Tracey Crago, Claudia Nimar, Terri Medeiros, Susan Roman, Kristian Andrade, Beth Thompson, Akku Patel. Back row: Todd Bidwell, Kitty Muse. Not pictured: Megan English Braga, Kevin Klauer, Carolyn Woods
|
VIPS Board of Directors Executive Committee, 2022-23
VIPS Board of Directors, 2022-23
|
Terri MedeirosTerri grew up in Falmouth and after graduating from Lawrence High School, she attended UMass where she received both a B.A. and M.Ed. in French and Education. After college, she moved to Germany and was hired to work for Rosenthal China Company. She enjoyed living in Europe but she missed Falmouth and returned and married her high school sweetheart. Terri went on to teach French and German in Falmouth Public Schools. Upon retirement from the FEA, she taught for ten more years at a local Catholic High School. Terri can't imagine not being involved with education, so she is currently a member of the Falmouth School Committee. She is also a Town Meeting Member in Falmouth.
|
VIPS Volunteer 'a-ha' moment: "The day I realized that my ability to listen was what my mentee needed most from me."
|
Kitty Muse
Kitty is an aide at North Falmouth Elementary School and a realtor. A Falmouth native, Kitty graduated from FHS and has a B.S. in Nutrition. In addition to her volunteer work with VIPS, served as a teaching assistant and coach for field hockey, basketball and softball. She is currently hosting a foreign exchange student. She is married to Peter Muse and they have three sons and one very adorable granddaughter. Kitty and her husband are frequent Disney vacationers. They love to travel, doing road trips around New England and short flights to Bermuda. They also collect cars, with six in the current collection ranging from new to antique. Kitty says her favorite professor was Tom Richards at Keene State, who taught nutrition and was responsible for changing her course of study. Kitty's favorite VIPS experience is mentoring.
|
"VIPS provides the support so doors will not be closed, and dreams are made possible."
|
Claudia Nimar
Claudia is a community organizer. She retired to Falmouth from Concord, MA with her husband. They have two grown children. Claudia earned her B.S. from the University of Rhode Island. She volunteers with Cape Cod Theatre Project and Highfield Hall and serves on the Nobska Light Advisory Board, the Falmouth Associates Advisory Board, and the board of The Boston Club. Claudia's favorite VIPS program is the College Mentoring Program because it supports college bound students, many of whom will be the first in their family to go to college.
|
Akku Patel
Akku is the owner of Jack in the Beanstalk. He is married to Denisha Patel; they have a daughter Anya, who is at Lawrence School, and an Australian labradoodle named Peanut. Akku has lived in Falmouth since 2003 when he purchased the Main Street 711. He says he fell in love with the town when he first visited in 2002 and enjoys the “tight knit community where a lot of people help each other out.” Akku is a member of the Falmouth Rod & Gun Club where he also serves as security chair, and the Masonic Lodge. Akku received the Retailers Initiative Award from 711. He attended NJCU for computer science and is certified in both MCSE and UNIX admin. His favorite teacher was Mrs. Hennessey at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ.
|
Pauline Peters
Pauline is a native Cape Codder; she was born in Hyannis but moved to Falmouth at the age of two. She says she loves the small town feel that Falmouth has. Growing up in Falmouth, Pauline enjoys having lots of family close by and can’t see herself living anywhere else. Pauline is the owner of a local business, Falmouth Dog Grooming. She is certified groomer and was honored as top groomer for the Upper Cape by Cape Cod Magazine. She has two sons who attended Falmouth schools, Kevin and Nathan. Pauline volunteers with the Harbor Kids program and faith family kitchen at Harbor Church. She helps serve Thanksgiving meals through Falmouth Service Center and was an Arts Alive volunteer in Falmouth schools. Thinking back to her time as a student in Falmouth, Pauline says her favorite teacher was Ellen Barol, who she credits with encouraging her and serving as a positive influence. “She always believed in me and was there to cheer me on. I appreciate her so much,” she says.
|
Beth Thompson
Beth is a Wealth Management Officer at Cape Cod Five Bank. She is a Certified Trust Financial Advisor and an Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager. Beth is involved with the Housing Assistance Corporation and the Credit for Life Fair. She is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Cape Cod.
|
"VIPS gives children opportunities and tools to build self-esteem and helps guide them to be successful young adults."
|
Carolyn Woods
Carolyn was born and raised in Falmouth. She is retired from her role as owner of Ideal Floor and Decor. She serves as president of the Falmouth Fireworks and serves on the board of Cape Cod Apartments. While her three children were young, she was a regular volunteer at Teaticket Elementary School and now helps out with her grandchildren, who attend North Falmouth and Morse Pond. Carolyn's favorite teacher at FHS was Mr. Watson, her business teacher.
|