JoyAnn Savino, President, Treasurer JoyAnn juggles many plates, including a full-time position at Handle With Care Behavior Management Program, her own business as a mediation and conflict resolution trainer, and facilitator for the world renowned “Alternatives to Violence Program.” She brings with her over 20 years experience mediating disputes in Ulster County as the former Director of a NYS funded Mediation Center. Her favorite things in life are playing with her beautiful grandchildren and her very funny dogs & cats, getting dirty in her garden and dreaming of being on the beach.
Eric Gidseg, Ph.D. Eric recently retired from a long and rewarding career as a teacher in early childhood classrooms. He has served on several boards including four years as co-chair of the New York State Professional Standards and Practices Board for Teaching. Eric has taught courses and developed curriculum for SUNY at New Paltz and Capella University.
Judy Swallow, MA, LCAT, TEP Judy was a founding member of the original Playback Theatre company in 1975 and for over 30 years has been the founder and co-director of Community Playback Theatre in Highland, NY. She has taught Playback Theatre both locally and internationally and is pleased that Playback Theatre has now practiced and performed in over 50 countries worldwide. Judy is also co-director of the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute in New Paltz, NY. She is a certified Rubenfeld Synergy ® practitioner and teacher and has a private practice in New Paltz. She has 9 grandchildren.
Gloria Waslyn, Vice President Gloria is the Founder of Parrots For Peace, Inc., a non-profit organization promoting peace communications and practices, social and environmental justice. With her companions in this work--a family of five blue and gold macaw parrots, lifemates Ms. Merlin, 19-½, and, Mr. Baby, 19, and their three children, Peace-nik, 7, and Ara, 6 and Hope who will be a year old in April--Ms. Waslyn and the Parrots For Peace engage people at various social responsibility events. People get the opportunity to meet and interact with the Peace Parrots and frequently choose to have a photo of the experience as a keepsake. The motto is, “May there be peace among all People, all Animals, and all Nature as we learn to live in harmony with our one shared mother...Earth.” Gloria is a former board member of the Children’s Home of Kingston and continues on the development committee. She is delighted to be on the board of Boughton Place and enjoys contributing to the mission and expansive vision of a culturally creative community center. Her experience as co-creator of Kingston Festival of the Arts and as curator and co-creator of the Uptown Gallery in Kingston included all forms of expressive arts brought to the community for an intimate experience with the arts.
Jennifer Karl, Secretary Jen currently works at Handle With Care Behavior Management System. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Jen enjoys being outdoors, hiking with her dogs or growing her own food in her beautiful garden. She has worked as a preschool teacher and enjoys teaching art to children and getting them interested in nature as well. A busy wife and mother, Jen enjoys baking and painting/drawing in what little free time she has. A lover of the arts and all things historical, she is loves working with the community here at Boughton Place.
Tom Cornell, Jr., ex officio Tom was a family friend of the late Clare Danielsson, founder of Boughton Place. Born in NYC and raised in the Hudson Valley, Tom values the ecological and social roots Clare established at Boughton Place. As a member of the Catholic Worker movement and a resident at its farm in nearby Marlboro, he continues to help interpret the portion of Clare's legacy that includes community living, social change, and environmental healing. He is a farmer, community organizer, and activist.