Recognition of Accomplishments:

"When Virgil took over we were more of an idea than a reality", says the Board Chair of the community foundation that Virgil ran. "Virgil's role was clearly about helping people realize their dreams."

A reporter comments, "There is plenty of action behind his words." While a philanthropist writes, "Virgil manages to encourage people to find their own sense of community without imposing his own ideas from on high."

In addition to local newspapers, Virgil's work has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal, CNN Headline news, The MMWR of the Centers for Disease Control, 60 Minutes, and the Reader's Digest. One reporter called him "The Power Behind the Headlines."

Future Plans:

Virgil is convinced that at least two new major nonprofit initiatives need to be undertaken, based on factors facing the United States and the world. He invites creative people to join with him in their creation.

First, a community foundation with a global scope needs to be created as a means of extending goodwill and financial support from the 20% of humanity that owns 84% of the world's resources to the bottom 20% that only has access to 1% of the world's resources. This Foundation is just one of the methods that might be created to curb the anger felt by the dis-enfranchised and to develop greater equity amongst all peoples and nations.

Secondly, as the Baby Boomers grow into 'retirement,’ the current systems that care for the elderly will be outstripped and too expensive for most. "Achievement Communities" based on mutuality and on empowering elders must become alternatives to current retirement communities. As healthy elders, the Baby Boomers will also re-discover their values and will find ways of re-creating the world again. They will be graying activists, rather than people seeking a 'retiring' lifestyle. More about these Cultural Creatives can be found at www.culturalcreatives.org.

Currently, Virgil and his wife Lis are helping to lead the development of the CooperRiis therapeutic community as their foray into the Achievement Community concept and as their re-entry into their long-held personal mission of serving individuals with serious mental illness.

Case Studies of Past and Current eQuad Creativity

1. Intrigued by community health and health care, Virgil recently completed a process of helping to transform a local health care organization, while building a foundation to improve the region's health. In these efforts, he is engaged with a variety of philanthropic leaders. Their combined efforts known as Northern Berkshire Health Systems and the REACH Community Health Foundation may be referenced at www.nbhealth.org and www.myhealthadviser.org.

2. Mental Illness: Virgil offers his experience in working to enable individuals with mental illness to achieve and maintain their highest levels of independence. Since 1975 he has worked at or been on the Board of Gould Farm, America's Oldest Therapeutic Community. Gould Farm may best be understood by visiting www.gouldfarm.org.

3. Inspired by his experience with Gould Farm, Virgil replicated it from the ground-up in the form of Rose Hill Center, www.rosehillcenter.com, where he was the first President and Treasurer, working closely with its first Chairman Daniel J.Kelly, then also Chairman of the Board of Touche Ross.

4. Now Virgil and Lis have joined CooperRiis, a Healing Farm Community, in North Carolina as its Executive Director team. Its website may be found at www.cooperriis.org. Virgil worked as consultant for Board Chairs Don and Lisbeth Riis Cooper who are the sources of inspiration, resource development, and volunteer leadership for CooperRiis, having dedicated many years to its creation, while continuing to support the unfolding of this magnificent legacy.