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Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc.
38 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, New York 12572 USA -
845-876-2626
Vegetarian - Vegan - Animal Rights - Health - Nutrition - Environment
The mission of the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc. is to promote the vegetarian ethic in the Mid-Hudson (New York) region, educate the community and aid anyone in the pursuit of a totally vegetarian (vegan) cruelty-free and healthful lifestyle.
Newsletters - Spring 2008 Issue
Board ratified, Vegan guys cook up a storm
The Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society held its Annual Meeting of the general membership on Saturday, April 5. Members ratified a proposed ballot of officers and members of the Society's governing Board of Directors. The membership voted unanimously for the new slate of officers.
Jim Van Alstine was voted in as president and will serve a three-year term. He succeeds Roberta Schiff who moves into the vice president post after serving two, three-year terms as president. Term limits set in the bylaws required Robbie to step down as president.
Jennifer Van Alstine continues in the position of secretary. Marvin Lang, who is new to the Board, was elected treasurer, replacing Ron Osborne. Judi Gelardi continues her service as membership coordinator. Rae Schlecht stays on as president emeritus. Zinnia Konviser remains a member-at-large.
Also new to the Board are: Jane Curran, outreach coordinator; Robin Henderson, volunteer coordinator; and Jeff Baker, member at-large.
The bribe for participating in the business of democracy for those attending in was a cooking demo, followed by eating the results. Billed as, "Cooking With the Guys: demo by three testosterone-infused MHVS cooks," Jeff Baker, Jim Van Alstine, and Nate Williams took turns in the kitchen. Jeff led off, demonstrating his vegan cheese cake which has been a delights at MHVS potlucks.
Following Jeff, there was an additional demo of a SoyaPower soy milk maker by Judi Gelardi (not a guy). The machine makes homemade soy milk production quick easy and inexpensive (cents per quart rather than dollars per quart for the retail packaged stuff). MHVS sells the machine for $100 each.
Jim Van Alstine made colcannon, a veganized version of an Irish soul food classic made with potatoes, cabbage and leeks.
Nate Williams, with help from fiancé Robin Henderson, prepared country fried seitan, served with a variety of dipping sauces. Nate and Robin noted that seitan is a big vegan favorite, yet relatively few people prepare their own at home. They showed how inexpensive and easy it is to prepare a batch of the versatile "wheat meat (see recipes on the web; www.mhvs.org).
Following lunch, ballot results were announced. In accepting the presidency, Jim Van Alstine thanked Robbie, who was absent due to a sudden illness. While attending an animal rights conference the weekend prior to the Annual Meeting, she suffered an acute illness and had to have gall bladder surgery. Jim remarked on phenomenal commitment of time, energy and dedication Robbie brought to her six years of service as president. "I couldn't even try to match the time and effort she has put in," Jim said. "While we are letting her step down and serve as vice president, we continue to need and expect Robbie to continue her incredible efforts for MHVS." He added that just as Robbie expected her predecessor, Rae Schlecht, to remain deeply involved in the Society, he, too, expects Robbie to remain a vital part of MHVS.
Earlier in the day, in her President's Report Read on behalf by Jim) Robbie said, "This is the sixth annual report I have written and, as always, on completion, I am amazed at all the things we have accomplished in one calendar year." She went on to provide an account of a full, diverse year of activities.
Robbie reported "I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as president of MHVS for the past six years. Term limits require a change after that time. Over the years, I have enjoyed working with and benefited from my relationship with MHVS members, especially Judi Gelardi who does so much more than her job of membership chair, Jim and Jen Van Alstine, of course, and Rae Schlecht."
Robbie's report concluded with individual thanks to many of the Board members and volunteers who have been most helpful over the years of her tenure.
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