The Chesterfield County Coordinating Council (CCCC) honored three of their most active members at the monthly meeting. These members, Catherine Thompson, Janice Rozier, and Jean Young, all retired during the FY 2008-2009. S.C. Rep. Ted Vick, CCCC Chairperson, thanked each of them for their contribution to the success of the CCCC and presented Mrs. Thompson and Ms. Rozier with a framed certificate. Mrs. Young was unable to attend.

Margaret Mitchell, CCCC Director, shared with the 40 plus people present that each honoree had made a unique contribution to the Coordinating Council. Mrs. Thompson began uplifting the work of the Council the afternoon of her first meeting nearly a decade ago. Although she has retired from the S.C. Employment Security Commission, Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Chesterfield County Economic Development Board and will continue to serve on the CCCC Executive Board. Mrs. Thompson said, “I remember my first meeting and we have grown so much since then. I am really proud of the work of the Coordinating Council.”

The CCCC was founded in early 1993 but minutes are not available until the October meeting. A copy of the December 1993 meeting minutes was provided to everyone present. Mrs. Rozier and Mrs. Young were present at that meeting. Mrs. Rozier shared how the CCCC founder, Mrs. Jean Harris, began the organization. Mrs. Rozier said, “Mrs. Harris’ method of recruiting you to participate in this new group was to ask you to meet with her in her living room where she proceeded to explain how you would be involved. There was no chance to decline.”

In Mrs. Young’s absence, Mrs. Mitchell explained that Mrs. Harris was the CCCC founder. However, it was the concerns for youth and families by Mrs. Young and her taking these concerns to Mrs. Harris that spurred Mrs. Harris to convene the first meeting. From that December 1993 meeting through her retirement in July 2008, Mrs. Young was very active on CCCC subcommittees particularly those impacting youth. The group showed their appreciation for all three retirees with a loud round of applause.

If you would like to learn more about the CCCC and its work in Chesterfield County, please contact Margaret Plettinger Mitchell at ccccmapm@shtc.net, 623-5274, or visit the website at www.chesterfieldcoordinating.org.