2021 Annual Meeting
Video recording of CRWA's 55th Annual Meeting can be found below!
Video recording of CRWA's 55th Annual Meeting can be found below!
Every year, Charles River Watershed Association looks forward to connecting with our members and recognizing CRWA advocates and volunteers whose dedicated environmental work helps protect and preserve the Charles River.
Members, advocates, and friends of the Charles joined CRWA staff on Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 PM (EST) on Zoom for Charles River Watershed Association’s 55th Annual Meeting from the comfort of their home. Attendees enjoyed a successful and informative Business meeting, a celebratory awards ceremony of CRWA's honorees, and an entertaining programmatic update, The Good Newscast. If you were unable to join us or arrived late, we will be posting a full recording of our Annual Meeting soon!
Members, advocates, and friends of the Charles joined CRWA staff on Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 PM (EST) on Zoom for Charles River Watershed Association’s 55th Annual Meeting from the comfort of their home. Attendees enjoyed a successful and informative Business meeting, a celebratory awards ceremony of CRWA's honorees, and an entertaining programmatic update, The Good Newscast. If you were unable to join us or arrived late, we will be posting a full recording of our Annual Meeting soon!
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Charles River Watershed Association Annual Meeting (Full)
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The Beauty of the Charles by Maury Eldridge
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BUSINESS MEETING RESULTS
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Articles of Organization
The amendments to CRWA’s Articles of Organization passed, clearing the required threshold of 2/3 of Class B members voting in favor (thank you to all who submitted proxy votes in advance of the meeting)! If you are interested in learning more, please see the Amendments to CRWA's Articles of Organization in the accordion below.
CRWA's Bylaws
The amendments to CRWA’s bylaws passed unanimously. If you are interested in learning more, please see the Amendments to CRWA's Bylaws in the accordion below.
CRWA Directors
The candidates for election/re-election to CRWA’s Board of Directors were elected unanimously. Congratulations to Peter Fernandez, Toni Hicks, Pat King, Aditya Perakath, and Larry Yu!
CRWA Officers
The candidates for election/re-election as CRWA Officers were elected unanimously. Congratulations to Board President, Linda McLane, Board Vice President, Lance Campbell, Board Clerk, Larry Yu, and Board Treasurer, Sarah Slaughter!
The amendments to CRWA’s Articles of Organization passed, clearing the required threshold of 2/3 of Class B members voting in favor (thank you to all who submitted proxy votes in advance of the meeting)! If you are interested in learning more, please see the Amendments to CRWA's Articles of Organization in the accordion below.
CRWA's Bylaws
The amendments to CRWA’s bylaws passed unanimously. If you are interested in learning more, please see the Amendments to CRWA's Bylaws in the accordion below.
CRWA Directors
The candidates for election/re-election to CRWA’s Board of Directors were elected unanimously. Congratulations to Peter Fernandez, Toni Hicks, Pat King, Aditya Perakath, and Larry Yu!
CRWA Officers
The candidates for election/re-election as CRWA Officers were elected unanimously. Congratulations to Board President, Linda McLane, Board Vice President, Lance Campbell, Board Clerk, Larry Yu, and Board Treasurer, Sarah Slaughter!
Amendments to CRWA's Articles of organization
Voted on by Class B Members (Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, & current volunteer monthly monitors)
CRWA’s current Articles of Organization were last amended in 1967, just a year after the original Articles were filed in 1966. As you know, CRWA’s work has evolved over the last 50+ years to build upon prior accomplishments and respond to new threats like climate change. Our Articles of Organization need to be updated to reflect those changes. The amendments being voted on would revise CRWA’s purpose to be consistent with its current mission statement (“CRWA strives to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy and the law.
CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.”). The amendments will also include an updated statement of the activities CRWA will engage in to accomplish its purpose, as well as updated language required by the IRS to protect CRWA’s tax-exempt status.
CRWA’s current Articles of Organization were last amended in 1967, just a year after the original Articles were filed in 1966. As you know, CRWA’s work has evolved over the last 50+ years to build upon prior accomplishments and respond to new threats like climate change. Our Articles of Organization need to be updated to reflect those changes. The amendments being voted on would revise CRWA’s purpose to be consistent with its current mission statement (“CRWA strives to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy and the law.
CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.”). The amendments will also include an updated statement of the activities CRWA will engage in to accomplish its purpose, as well as updated language required by the IRS to protect CRWA’s tax-exempt status.
amendments to crwa's bylaws
Voted on by Class B Members (Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, & current volunteer monthly monitors)
CRWA’s Bylaws were last amended in 2018. We are only proposing a few substantive changes to the Bylaws: 1) update the statement of CRWA’s purpose to be consistent with the revised purpose statement in the Articles of Organization, as described above; and 2) change Officers’ terms to two years instead of one. Other minor changes are being proposed to either improve clarity, eliminate conflicting provisions within the Bylaws, or correct typos.
CRWA’s Bylaws were last amended in 2018. We are only proposing a few substantive changes to the Bylaws: 1) update the statement of CRWA’s purpose to be consistent with the revised purpose statement in the Articles of Organization, as described above; and 2) change Officers’ terms to two years instead of one. Other minor changes are being proposed to either improve clarity, eliminate conflicting provisions within the Bylaws, or correct typos.
Candidates for election, directors
Voted on by all CRWA Members
The following were elected to CRWA’s Board of Directors for three-year terms (2021-2024):
The following were elected to CRWA’s Board of Directors for three-year terms (2021-2024):
- Peter Fernandez†
- Toni Hicks
- Patricia “Pat” King†
- Aditya Perakath
- Larry Yu†
candidates for election, Officers
Voted on by all CRWA Members
The following were elected as Officers of CRWA for two-year terms* (2021-2023):
†Candidate for re-election
CRWA's Board of Directors and Board of Advisors
The following were elected as Officers of CRWA for two-year terms* (2021-2023):
- As President: Linda McLane†
- As Vice President: Lance Campbell
- As Clerk: Larry Yu
- As Treasurer: Sarah Slaughter†
†Candidate for re-election
CRWA's Board of Directors and Board of Advisors
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
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Toni Hicks is a public interest attorney with significant nonprofit management experience. Toni serves as Director for Public Service and Pro Bono at Boston University School of Law and previously founded and directed Conservation Law Foundation’s pro bono Senior Fellows Program. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and previously served on the National Advisory Board of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Watch Toni's introductory video.
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Aditya Perakath is a corporate lawyer with Mintz in Boston. He draws on a background in mergers and acquisitions, cross-border investments, commercial contracts, and trademarks that stems from his several years as a practitioner in India. He uses that experience to counsel US companies on a range of transactional, corporate governance, and regulatory matters. Aditya serves on the board of directors of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston and as co-chair of the International Law Section of the Boston Bar Association. He runs along the Charles River, wears gilets made by Charles River Apparel, and bicycles with the Charles River Wheelers. He was educated in New Delhi, Minneapolis, and Sweden. Watch Aditya's introductory video.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES
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Anne M. Blackburn Award
Former State Representative Denise Provost
Clean Charles Award
Gabby Queenan, Environmental Policy Teaching Assistant at Tufts University and Former Policy Director at Mass Rivers Alliance
Ginger Lawrence Volunteer Award
Code For Boston, A Code for America brigade and grassroots organization
Special Recognition Award
Suzanne Carleo, Former CRWA Comptroller for 16 years
CRWA Young Leaders Award
Emma Koskovich, Natick Resident and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2024
Former State Representative Denise Provost
Clean Charles Award
Gabby Queenan, Environmental Policy Teaching Assistant at Tufts University and Former Policy Director at Mass Rivers Alliance
Ginger Lawrence Volunteer Award
Code For Boston, A Code for America brigade and grassroots organization
Special Recognition Award
Suzanne Carleo, Former CRWA Comptroller for 16 years
CRWA Young Leaders Award
Emma Koskovich, Natick Resident and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2024
Questions?
Audrey Wallace, Director of Development
awallace@crwa.org
(781) 788-0007 ext. 222
awallace@crwa.org
(781) 788-0007 ext. 222
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually under the state’s emergency COVID-19 provisions (chapter 53, section 16 of the Acts of 2020), which allow for virtual member meetings during the pandemic and for 60 days thereafter.