MICHELE ROBERTS, executive vice president and chief marketing and community relations officer for Bristol County Savings Bank, was recently honored by the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America with the council’s Good Scout Award. The award is given to a community leader who embodies the virtues of a “good Scout,” someone who seeks to help others in need without a need for recognition.
How did you first become involved with the Narragansett Council? Growing up in Canada, I was a Brownie and a Girl Guide, but my first involvement with the Scouts was with the former Annawon Council (now merged into the Narragansett Council). Early on in my career with Bristol County Savings Bank, I was asked to manage the invitations and RSVPs for Annawon Council’s annual gala. Shortly after, we formed the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation in 1996 and Annawon Council was one of our early recipients – receiving funding for their Scoutreach/Urban Outreach Program.
In what way did you help the Narragansett Council this year? As chief community relations officer for Bristol County Savings Bank and clerk of our charitable foundation, each year I meet with the council to discuss their resource needs. This current year, and for the past several years, we have provided $30,000 in funding to the council in support of their Urban Outreach Program and luncheon, their Supporting Scouting Breakfasts and their golf tournament. … From a personal perspective, my husband and I also financially contribute to the Narragansett Council, as we feel their programs provide valuable tools for kids to help them throughout their lives.
What, if any, other nonprofits/community initiatives did you assist with this past year? From a volunteer perspective, I also currently serve on several boards, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, Meeting Street School in Providence and Dartmouth, Morton Hospital in Taunton, UNITE Taunton Task Force and the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at [the University of Massachusetts] Dartmouth. In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at several community events this year to distribute food and basic essentials to families across our region, as well as work with various school districts to assist them in providing much-needed resources to students as they continue to work hard to provide quality education despite the challenges still being felt as a result of the pandemic.
What plans do you have to help the community going forward? I plan to continue to work hard and use my resources and connections, both personally and professionally, to provide assistance for our community partners and those in need of their services, as well as work hard to be part of the solution around creating more equity throughout our region. At the bank, we will continue to increase our levels of financial and volunteer support and continue our outreach efforts to ensure we understand community needs and find solutions to help. n
