FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact(s): Susan Grabski, Executive Director, Lawrence History Center, 978-686-9230
Lawrence History Center celebrates 45 years; installs new president, vice president, and secretary; and welcomes one new member to its board of directors 
Lawrence, MA – On September 23, 2023, the Lawrence History Center (LHC) held its 45th Annual Meeting and Open House. LHC board treasurer Mark Svendsen, in LHC board president Mark Cutler and vice president Glennys Sanchez's stead, presided over the meeting at which Mark Cutler became immediate past president, Sara Morin Barth (pictured at right) was installed as LHC board president, Andy Kelley moved into the LHC board vice president role, Karen Van Welden Herman took on the role of LHC board secretary, and one new board member -- Stelvyn Mirabal -- was elected by the membership to his first three year term.
The meeting and open house marks 45 years since LHC was founded and took place in the Essex Company Stable, part of the Essex Company Office & Yard, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mark S. called the meeting to order at 10:06 AM. He welcomed guests and thanked LHC board, staff, and volunteers for their efforts across the last year. Mark then, in LHC board secretary Sara Morin Barth’s stead, presented the LHC Annual Meeting Minutes, 9/24/2022 for approval.
After the LHC Annual Meeting Minutes, 9/24/2022 were accepted, Mark, as LHC board treasurer, presented the Fy2023 Treasurer's Report for acceptance. His overview included a summary of our revenue and other support, in addition to our expenses and investment account balance.
After the FY2023 Treasurer's Report was accepted, Mark presented a Bylaws Revision for approval.The Bylaws revision effects Section 4.4 - Terms of Office. Board members currently serve three-year terms. The change allows for term length to be changed to one-year or two-year terms for new or renewing board members if more than a third of the board terms are set to expire in the same year.
After the Bylaws Revision was accepted, Mark, in LHC vice president Glennys Sanchez's stead, presented the following Board Slate of Candidates, 2023-2024 and introduced one new nominated board member:
New Officer(s):
Mark Cutler, Immediate Past President, 2023-2024 Sara Morin Barth, President, 2023-2026 (1st Term) Andy Kelley, Vice President, 2023-2026 (1st Term) Karen Van Welden Herman, Secretary, 2023-2026 (1st Term)
Renewing Member(s):
Director Position(s):
Mary Guerrero, 2023 – 2025 (4th term)*
Michael W. Morris, Jr. Esq., 2023 – 2025 (2nd term)*
Glennys Sanchez, 2023 – 2025 (1st term)* Jineyda Tapia, 2023 – 2025 (2nd term)*
* 2-year term (vs. 3-year term) to stagger board terms.
New Member(s):
New Board Director(s):
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Stelvyn Mirabal, 2023-2026 (1st term) Stelvyn was born in 1971 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, son of Rafael Antonio and Clara Josefa Mirabal. He and siblings José Rafael Mirabal, Siordaliza Mirabal and Cecilia Mirabal came to the United State of America in 1983 -- directly to the city of Lawrence. Since coming to Lawrence, Stelvyn has been involved in folkloric groups at the Dominican Club Los Trinitarios doing folkloric dance theater and singing. Throughout the years, he has joined many local music bands with various friends and community members. He is married to ("his lovely wife") Leonor Mirabal and they have three ("wonderful") kids -- Melissa, Leonardo and Clara Sofia Mirabal. They have been members of the Lawrence Latin Lion’s Club and he is the founder and president of the Asociación Carnavalesca de Massachusetts. In 2023, he and his wife were honored as parade grand marshals of Semana Hispana in Lawrence. |
After the Board Slate's acceptance by the membership, Mark also thanked outgoing board members Anil "Nilly" DaCosta and Mike Hearn for their service to the board. Both will be sent a gift from the board.
To learn more about the 15 member LHC Board of Directors, 2023-2024, please visit: http://www.lawrencehistory.org/about/board
After the business meeting was adjourned, the membership heard updates from LHC Executive Director Susan Grabski and Collections Manager Amita Kiley. Both of their reports are reflected in the video below, but will be expanded upon in the upcoming Annual Report, 2022-2023.
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CLICK for VIDEO of Guest Presentation:
LHC volunteer Rick Wetmore shared stories of the 12 men from Lawrence who are buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy