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Interim leadership of the museum will be shared by Chief Engagement Officer Hilary Dunne Ferrone, Chief Experience Officer Craig Langlois, and Chief Operating Officer Miriam Kronberg.

Jeff Rodgers Steps Down as Berkshire Museum Executive Director

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Jeff Rodgers stepped down as Executive Director of the Berkshire Museum on Sept. 10, 2021, after two and a half years in the position.
 
"Thanks to the hard work of many, the museum has made tremendous progress. We are financially secure, deferred maintenance issues have been addressed, and we have just celebrated the re-opening of our second-floor galleries and learning spaces after extensive renovations," Rogers said. "The strength of the museum's current position makes my decision easier."
 
Rodgers was appointed in 2019. Prior to the appointment, Rodgers was the provost and chief operating officer of the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, Fla.
 
Board of Trustees President Ethan Klepetar expressed gratitude on behalf of the board for Rodgers' contributions. 
 
"Jeff has led the museum in a steady, thoughtful manner that has set the organization on a path to a brighter future, and his creative insights have laid the groundwork for exciting improvements in development today," he said. "He has built a strong leadership team around him which will now confidently share interim leadership of the museum as the staff continue to create innovative new programs and experiences for our community and carry on partnerships Jeff has built with other community organizations that have strengthened the Berkshires cultural community."
 
The Berkshire Museum's Board of Trustees will engage a search firm to assist with a national search for a new director. Interim leadership of the museum will be shared by Chief Engagement Officer Hilary Dunne Ferrone, Chief Experience Officer Craig Langlois, and Chief Operating Officer Miriam Kronberg.

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ServiceNet Warming Center Hosted 126 People This Winter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

ServiceNet manages the warming shelter next to the church. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — ServiceNet's warming center has provided more than heat to unhoused individuals over the last four months and will run to the end of April.

It opened on Dec. 1 in the First United Methodist Church's dining area, next to ServiceNet's 40-bed shelter The Pearl. The agency has seen 126 individuals utilize the warming center and provided some case management to regulars.

While this winter was a success, they are already considering next winter.

"I've been on this committee many years now. There's probably only a few months out of the year that I don't talk about winter, so I'm always trying to plan for next winter," Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

"We are in this winter and I'm already thinking what's going to happen next winter because I want to be really clear, winter shelter is never a given. We don't have this built into the state budget. It's not built into our budget, so there is always trying to figure out where we get money, and then where do we go with winter shelter."

She pointed out that warming centers are "very different" from shelters, which have a bed. The warming center is set up like a dining room, open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and folks are welcome to stay for breakfast.

"We are asking people to come in, get warm, be out of the elements," Forbush explained.

The warming center will close on April 30.

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