MVCS Board Grows

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has added five new members to its board of directors, the Island’s oldest social service agency announced this week.

The new members are Iris Freeman, associate director of the center for elder justice and policy at the William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota and a longtime advocate for elder rights; Robert Egerton Jr., eastern region president of the regional agribusiness banking group of CoBank, ACB; Bruce Eckman, a marketing consultant and psychotherapist; June Manning, a recent recipient of the state Unsung Hero award for her work providing home care for the elderly and service on numerous Island boards; and John H. Kennedy, a journalist and educator who has worked for the Associated Press and the Boston Globe.

Ms. Manning and Mr. Kennedy both have ties to the Gazette. Ms. Manning is the longtime Aquinnah columnist and a regular contributor to the paper. Mr. Kennedy is married to Gazette publisher Jane Seagrave and moved to the Island this summer. He contributes occasionally to the paper. Mr. Freeman, Mr. Egerton and Mr. Eckman are seasonal Island residents.