Secretary of state thanks volunteers
Nina Mitchell Wells discusses importance of local involvement
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Nina Mitchell Wells

JACKSON — Being New Jersey's secretary of state is a multifaceted job and one that requires the person who holds the position to oversee all of the operating agencies with the Department of State.

The secretary of state is also responsible for the promotion and preservation of New Jersey's arts, history and culture.

That is the job that Nina Mitchell Wells, the 32nd New Jersey secretary of state, has on her plate. Wells was the guest speaker at the June 11 meeting of the Westlake adult community's Men's Club.

Men's Club Vice President and Program Chairman Larry Hartman introduced Wells. He noted that she was sworn into office in January 2006 and that one of the agencies she oversees is the Governor's Office of Volunteerism.

Hartman noted that many Westlake residents — retired educators and other professionals — spend their time giving something back to the community. He said that over the past five or six years, more than $500,000 has been raised by Westlake through various fundraisers. Various organizations benefit from those efforts, he said.

"Prior to becoming secretary of state, Mrs. Wells was the president of the Schering Plough Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Schering-Plough corporation, and vice president of public affairs," said Hartman. "As a lawyer and public servant, she was the assistant corporation council for the city of Newark and practiced law for major corporations including New Jersey Bell Telephone, Bell Communications Research and the CIT Group."

In her opening remarks to the audience, Wells said, "Congratulations on your philanthropy and your volunteerism. I was so impressed that I wanted to come here and thank all of you for what you are doing."

Wells said local organizations that are providing volunteer services are especially needed during difficult economic times. She said the social net that is being provided

through the philanthropy of Westlake residents is very much needed. She provided the audience with some statistics about philanthropy in the Garden State. "In the last two years, 1.5 million New Jerseyans have volunteered, and that can be translated to about $4 billion," she said. "So, doing what you and the other citizens do, that is a lot of money that nonprofits do not have to expend."

Furthermore, Wells said some nonprofit organizations would not be able to provide needed services if it were not for volunteers throughout the state.

She said volunteers provide a wonderful safety net.

"There [used to be] times when public service was so much more highly regarded, and I think we are back to that now," she said.

Wells said that under the present administration, the Americorps national volunteer program provides scholarships to students who need financial aid in order to pursue higher education. One way for students to obtain financial aid is to volunteer and then complete community service work.

She said the program has been highly funded and said her office has received a grant of about $750,000 to expand the number of students in New Jersey who may be able to receive a stipend to further their education, provided they perform community service.

Wells said it is wonderful that people want to make a contribution to society and become involved with nonprofits, whether it is working with the disabled community, mentoring students, working at a food kitchen or a food bank, or working in state parks.

It was noted that the number of people who volunteer is high due to the type of leadership that is being provided.

"Students need mentors, and every success story starts with a mentor, and many students fall through the safety net because they don't have the adult guidance," Wells told the Westlake audience. "We need to get them going in the right direction."

Volunteering can be done locally in a school, a library or wherever there is a need, she said.

Additional information about volunteerism can be found on the Internet at volunteernewjersey. org.

Wells said another aspect of her position is caring for the state archives in Trenton. She also oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the New Jersey Cultural Trust, which preserves and enhances the culture and the history of New Jersey.

Wells highlighted tourism, eco-tourism and agri-tourism, noting the unique personality of many of the towns and farmlands throughout the Garden State.

The secretary of state's job also involves the Commission on American Indian Affairs, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission and others.

The Westlake Men's Club contributes to the Westlake theater project, the Jackson Educational Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Fund and the Breast Cancer Walk. The club has presented two $500 scholarships.

"The first scholarship went to Brendon Fitzpatrick, who had a long list of honors, while a second scholarship went to Andrew Sclafani, who was very active in school, participating in the blood drive and working for the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army and tutoring students, among other activities," said Men's Club President Bob Rivere.

Money has also been donated to the Jackson Township First Aid Squad, the Jackson Food Pantry and the American Heart Association.

The Men's Club has also sponsored a Little League baseball team and has made donations to Camp Quality and to Eva's Kitchen.