REMEMRANCE FOR CASSIE MAJOR

 

 Steering Committee meeting ca. 2021

 

Reading to End Racism remembers a wonderful steering committee member, classroom reading volunteer, and RER Facebook editor.  Cassie Major died August 17^th, 2026, at the age of 75.  She joined Reading to End Racism after she retired from a long career of award-winning teaching, and brought her love of students and professional expertise to our program.  On one day Cassie might create a new board game to accompany her read-aloud book for a class, on another be an essential tech back-up for a film session about RER, or then sit in a steering committee meeting practically and efficiently helping see what needs to be done, and help getting it done. She managed the RER Facebook page, too, amplifying the public understanding of anti-racism work with announcements, news, and photos about RER events and related issues for some years, even when she began more intensive traveling. We will miss you, Cassie, your energy, encouragement, and the reminders to take one more photo!

New Training, New Volunteers, New School Year!

 

On Saturday, September 26^th, Reading to End Racism once again held its fall training at Bethany Church in Montpelier. We were very pleased to welcome nine new prospective volunteers, including one high school student. Our multiple forms of outreach worked, and the most successful of all, of course, were personal invitations! The enthusiasm of current volunteers drew in their friends and other contacts.  In addition to this training, there was a make-up training for 3more people who are interested in  jumping on board.  That makes 12 new volunteers this year, some to read and some to do background work!

 

As our volunteer base grows, so too can the number of schools we serve.  This year we will be working   in 2 new schools, Montpelier and Moretown, in addition to the 7 we were already doing (Cabot, Twinfield, Calais, East Montpelier, Berlin, Rumney, and Doty.)  Here’s to another successful year!

 

Will you continue to help us get the word out?  There will be an article coming out shortly in the East Montpelier news, Sign Post. Maybe you have someone you would like to invite to the next training, or a way of publicizing this work.  If so, contact Rachel Cogbill (rwcogbill@gmail.com), one of the steering committee members.