FOREST HILLS EDUCATIONAL TRUST
LAUNCHES PLANNING EFFORT
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The Forest Hills Educational Trust, the nonprofit organization that has been supporting Forest Hills Cemetery and serving the community since its inception in 1991, will launch a strategic planning effort in early 2011. The organization is taking a break from its busy calendar of public programs so that its Board Members can focus on determining the Trust’s future direction.

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STAFF TRANSITION

The Trust’s Executive Director, Cecily Miller, stepped down at the end of December after ten years of outstanding service to the Cemetery. Under her leadership, the Trust developed an array of innovative programs that expanded the public use of the Cemetery’s historic landscape and attracted thousands of first-time visitors. Contemporary art initiatives, concerts and poetry readings, education programs, and signature events such as the annual Lantern Festival and LaPiñata's Day of the Dead, have transformed Forest Hills from one of Boston’s more obscure treasures into an important cultural resource for Greater Boston. During her tenure, the Trust also made significant contributions to preservation efforts; she raised funds for specific conservation projects and the Cemetery's comprehensive Master Plan and shepherded the Cemetery's successful nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

“Thanks to Cecily's visionary leadership, the Trust is recognized locally and nationally for expanding the role of historic cemeteries as institutions that serve the community,” commented Trust Board Chairman Robert Macleod. “With great creativity and sensitivity, Cecily brought a vibrant contemporary perspective to these hallowed grounds, drawing thousands of people to discover one of Boston's hidden gems and making their experiences more meaningful.”

“During the planning process, we look forward to working with the Board of Forest Hills Cemetery, the President of the Cemetery, current proprietors, and the public to continue to develop our successful programs,” Mr. Macleod noted. “For several years the Trustees of the Cemetery have indicated that they would like to see a change in the direction of the Trust's programs. Although they have been supportive of our history tours and the popular Lantern Festival, they have indicated that our cultural programs are not a priority. We invite people who are interested in helping the Trust with planning to join our email list to receive updates and share their ideas by taking our survey.”

Nini Colmore, the Trust's Director of Development, and Jonathan Clark, the Trust's Program Coordinator, are leaving with Miller. The Board thanks them for their years of service; their commitment and many skills have contributed greatly to the Trust's success. "For eight years, Nini has served as a gracious ambassador, introducing people to Forest Hills through elegant and educational special events; her efforts have developed a community of donors who generously provide much-needed financial support for the Trust's programs." MacLeod commented. "And as many people who come to the Lantern Festival, concerts and other events know, Jon has handled complex logistics with skill, diligence and humor, recruiting volunteers and supporting performers to ensure our audiences always have memorable experiences!"

Macleod reports that "the Board Members of the Trust will not seek to replace staff until we are able to clarify the scope of future programs and a positive direction in conjunction with the Board and Management of Forest Hills Cemetery."

Click here for highlights of the Trust's accomplishments in the last 10 years.