Dream Team helps convert club

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January 7, 2009

By Club President Bob Wysocki

The newest members may know very little about the extreme makeover that occurred before their historic entry at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill on Monday.

The story behind the story began in October 2007. Although the previous five-year strategic plans forecasted a conversion of the club to include girls, there was never any action taken.

But this time, Joseph Mazzola, a board member of many years, appealed to all members and said, "Let's stop talking about girls and let's finally do something now or we will lose this opportunity forever!"

With a full board commitment the need for additional board members was established and nine outstanding community volunteers, including five women, were elected.

Leading the charge was the Executive Committee, consisting of two vice presidents, a treasurer, two appointment members of the board of directors, and, of course, its president.

All six members were successful businessmen with a commitment to service, and all received help from the Haverhill Boys Club when they were youngsters. By a reciprocity principle, this was their time to give back to the club.

Art Morrow, a club past president, had successfully fixed broken companies and taught at the University of New Hampshire and at Northeastern University. He established sound financial practices and created an Adopt-A-Room sales program to equip 15 rooms.

Dan Rorke was faculty emeritus at Brooks School in North Andover, and is a member of the Massachusetts Football Hall of Fame. He is developing increased education programs and an improved leadership structure for the club.

Dick Early Jr., owner of a contracting company, helped the club obtain tradesmen and contractors required for the conversion process.

Fred Cirome, a local lawyer and another past president, has established an endowment by-laws change and successfully guides and facilitates meetings.

Joe Mazzola, an engineer, has been the project manager of the club and Camp Tasker conversion. He has committed six hours or more every day to plan and direct the rehabilitation of the 15 club rooms as well as Camp Tasker.

The club's executive director, Brian Theirrien, became the seventh member of the team. With experience at the Boys & Girls Club of Webster-Dudley and the Greenville Baker Boys & Girls Club, Theirrien was responsible for staff and program and the additional responsibility for new facilities (not in his job description).

While contractors, architects, suppliers, board members and others were constantly in and out of his facility, Theirrien kept focused in a noisy and dusty environment.

The team brought architects and engineers to examine the 1917 building and it was deemed structurally sound. First, a major improvement of the infrastructure was completed. A fire protection, new heating system, and girls' restrooms were provided by an Amelia Peabody Foundation grant. Cicso Corp. provided a security surveillance system, including telephones and video cameras.

A City of Haverhill Community Development grant demolished rooms in the basement and rebuilt them as a teen center, game room, fitness center and bank-store facilities.

Through efforts in spring 2008, the summer Camp Tasker was updated. Major improvements to serve girls were supported by William Cavallaro, former board member and current honorary director. The sports complex, including a reconstructed ball field facility and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, were constructed. Cabins were restored and 45 girls and 55 boys enjoyed a new pool the first week of camp.

Thanks to this Dream Team, the club was ready when the first girls entered the facility as members on Monday, Jan. 5.