Q/A with new Bridgton Community Center Executive Director Darcy Pomerleau
BCC Board talks about hiring new director, future goals
By Dawn De Busk
Staff Writer
Sometimes, some shoes seem too big to fill.
However, there is always someone who can grow into them. Or, the sequence of events can be similar to the Cinderella story — where the shoe fits perfectly.
That is a metaphor for what the Bridgton Community Center (BCC) Board of Directors went through when it was faced with the knowledge that the executive director of 20 years was retiring.
“We learned a year ago that Carmen [Lone] was going to retire. She said that Lorraine [Goldrup] was going to leave at the same time. And we said, ‘Really? Okay.’ It put a little bit of a sense of panic in us all,” according to BCC Board of Directors Chairmen Marcia Sullivan.
“Certainly, as a I learned over the month, a lot of people were concerned when they heard the news. People were saying, ‘How are you ever going to replace them,’ ” Sullivan said.
“As we looked for a new director, we wanted to make sure some of the vision we had going forward was implemented,” she said. One of the first steps in the hiring process was creating a job description.
“Writing the job description for someone who does everything — How do we not make this a 20-page document? It was a good exercise for the board,” Sullivan said.
“We got the executive director who does a huge amount. It is a lot of responsibility. They are willing to do this. They love the place. It is not a huge salary that someone makes doing this. You need a special person to fill the role,” she said. Darcey Pomerleau applied for the job.
“We interviewed her. But, I spent a lot of time on the phone as a followup. I quickly felt we would be able to work together,” Sullivan said.
“We lucked out with Darcey coming on board. She was someone who already used the center. She is very local. She has been in Bridgton. She has a skill set that is going to work,” she said. “You also have to have someone who has public service, who knows how to interact with people. She is a very comfortable person to be around.”
“She is gung ho and willing to come in and take the reins,” she said.
Pomerleau started in early June so she could transition into the position with Lone working at the center until the end of the month. Much of what will be offered at the center is a foundation that Lone and Goldrup built.
“Carmen has done an incredible job at doing all of these things at the center on a very small staff. Lorraine is part time and Carmen is full time. Luckily, we have volunteers and that helps,” she said. “All these programs, activities, resources have been set up over the years. That is to their credit. We plan to continue with that in the future.”
One of the plans for the future is to hire a full-time administrative assistant. Essentially, that will benefit the executive director.
“The most interesting thing when I first joined the board was: How on Earth do they run this place on such a tight budget? It takes work. Luckily, we have a community that is very generous,” Sullivan said.
Pomerleau’s experience as a business owner has honed her ability to be smart about budgeting, she said. Quite a few skills that Pomerleau acquired or utilized while owning a business will be applicable to being the executive director of the community center.
“For one, you have to understand financials,” Sullivan said. “The fact that Darcy has run her own business. She has worked for herself. She is very familiar with how to manage a business, and take care of staff, take care of financials and all that. We have to have somebody who can manage a budget and figure out all the things we do with money. And going forward, we need someone who knows about fundraising and all that stuff,” she said.
“We are going to have to work harder at fundraising. Yes, people have been generous but we need to fundraise more,” Sullivan said.
“We really want this center to expand its hours. It is a 9-to-5 center now. It would be nice if we had some evenings. If we had some Saturdays that we were open to be available to be all ages,” she said.
The center offers community activities such as board games or card games [cribbage] in the afternoon; community suppers; and support groups that are listed on the calendar. It is a warming center and a cooling center — when the temperatures at home are too cold or too hot and muggy. Also, the center is place to get director to the resource a person is seeking.
“It is about connecting people. We aren’t the resource as much as we are the connector,” Sullivan said.
The board hired Pomerleau not only because she had the skills needed to step into the position of executive director but also because she had ideas of what else the center could offer the public.
“Darcey had loads of ideas about where we could go with the center, and we liked that,” Sullivan said.
For more information about the Bridgton Community Center (BCC) and what the center offers, check out the webpage, bridgtoncommunitycenter.org
By Dawn De Busk
Staff Writer
Last week, Darcey Pomerleau, the new executive director for the Bridgton Community Center, didn’t want to talk about herself.
After all, it was during the retirement party for outgoing Executive Director Carmen Lone and Administrative Assistant Lorraine Goldrup.
It is their time to shine, Pomerleau said.
This week, Pomerleau had little time to talk.
After all, it is the end of the fiscal year for the center and she has been immersed in budget matters.
Currently, she is still in the process of getting to know community members who haven’t already met her.
This question-and-answer session is an opportunity for The Bridgton Newsreaders to get to know her a little bit better.
B-News: What is your earliest experience with the Bridgton Community Center?
Pomerleau: Many years ago I was introduced to the BCC through a dear friend. I then began to utilize the meeting rooms for a portion of my business and have for several years. I was always struck by the warmth and professionalism of Lorraine and Carmen and how inviting the atmosphere is at the Community Center.
B-News: Do you see yourself as a multitasker?
Pomerleau: Indeed I do. Multitasking has always been a way of life. Finding a rhythm is key between work, family, friends, and volunteering. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have an amazing support system.
B-News: What are some very different skill sets you might use in one day at the community center?
Pomerleau:I wear many hats during the day. One minute, I am director working on the budget, a grant, or an upcoming event. The next moment I may be at senior lunch or welcoming one of our speakers. Then the next moment may be as an advocate or coordinating our volunteers. At present, however, I am enjoying meeting everyone. Each person and group is like a puzzle piece, individually unique, but when joined together completes the bigger picture, which is wonderful.
B-News: How do you think the experience of running your own business will apply to running a non-profit community center?
Pomerleau:The daily operations of running a business or non-profit are similar. However, this position allows me to shift my focus to working for, and with the community as a whole, to continue to build on what currently is, and to invite new opportunities and interests into the Center.
B-News: BCC Board of Directors Chairman Marcia Sullivan said that fundraising is one activity that will have some emphasis put on it going forward. What are some of your ideas about fundraising?
Pomerleau:The possibilities are endless. We are exploring options and are hopeful of establishing annual events, that will encompass the whole community. It is a very exciting time.
B-News: How did you feel and what went through your mind when you learned you had been chosen as the next executive director of the Bridgton Community Center?
Pomerleau:I felt and continue to feel honored and privileged to have been selected to carry on this role, because I have roots here. My family comes from a place of service to this town and community, from my grandfather to my dad and my mom. I respect and recognize the importance of this position and the dedication it has taken from our board members, staff, and volunteers, past and present, and to the people of the Town of Bridgton for their continued commitment to supporting and growing such a unique and special place for all of us. I am excited to be a part of the community center’s next chapter.
