Welcome 2026!
I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I am Donna Barone, acting CISV Greater Springfield President. Some of you may be familiar with my name. I was president several years ago and my children, now 32 and 30, were fortunate to participate in several CISV programs.
CISV holds a special place in my heart. I witnessed firsthand the benefits of CISV Village experience on my daughter. I remember being upset before she left for her village in Norway, that I would miss her 11th birthday. A fellow CISV parent reminded me that she would never have another birthday quite like one celebrated at a CISV Village. And a CISV experience is not just a 4-week experience, it is a lifetime of friendships. Jeannette’s best friend from her village attended her wedding 17 years later.
As many of you are aware, COVID took its toll on many CISV chapters. Both the Maine and New York chapters have folded. Recently, several concerned members of the CISV Springfield chapter met to discuss the status of the chapter. One of the most important actions that the chapter must take is to re-establish its’ membership. Membership dues, $50/family or $25/individual can be paid using Venmo @Brett-Vottero (2298 are the last 4 digits of his cell number) or mailed to 431 Granby Rd, Chicopee, MA 01013. For the chapter to continue to grow, we need more volunteers to help. We are looking for a social media coordinator, a recruitment/application coordinator, travel coordinator as people to support membership growth and long-term chapter planning.
We currently have 1 invitation for a Village in Kanto, Japan August 1-Aug 28, 2026. After approval of the new bylaws, our focus will be to recruit both a leader and 4 eleven-year-olds. The Greater Springfield chapter is expanding our recruitment area to statewide. Hopefully social media will be helpful here to spread the word, especially through self-interest groups, such as town forums, mothers’ groups etc. on both Facebook and Instagram. I also ask you to spread the word as well.
All of us and our families have benefitted from CISV. We all want future generations to be able to experience CISV. Please continue you to support the CISV Springfield chapter any way you can.
Peace,
Donna