THE COUNCIL WELCOMES BRIANNE M. TOLSON

By Brianne M. Tolson, Grassroots and Community Relations Manager, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

















Hi! My name is Brianne M. Tolson. I am thrilled to join the Council as the new Grassroots and Community Relations Manager. I have a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. I’ve spent the last 9 years in Virginia, but I’m originally from Massachusetts - so I’m happy to be home!

Since graduating, I have been working for a non-profit association just outside of Washington DC managing membership relations, grassroots initiatives, legislative affairs, as well as a Political Action Committee (PAC).

I worked extensively with the Small Business Administration and Congress to increase awareness and efficacy for small business lending. I have an extensive background in community service and community relations, and I know how to be an advocate for an underutilized resource. The Council has some great initiatives in place, and I’m looking forward to furthering them; as well as to developing even more ways to support those whom the Council seeks to help. I’ll be working closely with our Executive Director, Marlene Warner, to further expand the Massachusetts Partnership for Responsible Gambling (MPRG).

I love to shop, especially for shoes and purses, and I’m a voracious reader. Also, after 5 years of living in an apartment just outside DC, I’m thrilled to have a full-sized kitchen to cook in!

My husband and I recently relocated to Bellingham, MA (my childhood hometown) and are enjoying exploring New England. We’re particularly excited to be closer to the ocean, which we missed dearly in VA. We have a miniature dachshund, Guinness, whom we love very much, and are delighted to be expecting our first child in the spring!

This is a pivotal time for the Council, especially in light of the current political climate and recent legislative initiatives here in MA. With the impending casino construction, the Council’s work has never before been so important. I look forward to serving the Council in the local communities and creating awareness for an issue that is increasingly coming to light.

Lastly, I’d like to thank Marlene and her incredible team at the Council for their warm and inviting welcome. This is going to be a great year for the Council and I couldn't be more excited and honored to be joining such a great organization and worthy cause. 

THE COUNCIL WELCOMES ALICIA BARRON



Alicia, in Costa Rica, with her new friend.

by Alicia Barron, Intervention and Treatment Support Manager, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi! My name is Alicia Barron, and I’m the Council's new Intervention and Treatment Support Manager. I have a B.A in psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, and my Master’s in social work from the University of Houston. I’m so excited to be joining this dedicated and caring team.

I recently relocated from the Houston, Texas area, where I worked as the Programs and Services Manager at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the last 5 years. My position focused on educational programs, client service management, information and referral, peer support programs, and federal advocacy initiatives. Overall, I have 11 years of experience providing services, supports, information, and education to people living with various medical conditions and their families.

 

Here at the Council, I will be working closely with The Senior Director of Programs and Services, Victor Ortiz, and Program Specialist, Jodie Nealley, to provide professional trainings and programming, as well as overseeing the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Certificate program, and the Council’s helpline. 

For fun I love to travel, eat good food, and hike. I’ve been to many states, several Canadian cities, Scotland, Ireland, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Czech Republic. I’m hoping to add New Zealand, as well as more places in Africa to the list.

I’m an avid reader, bargain shopper, shoe collector, and love to continue to take classes and learn new things.

 

My husband and I just bought a house in Natick. We are, probably naively, looking forward to doing some remodeling to our new house, as well as getting to know our new neighborhood. Between our lazy black cat and who we say is the world’s most adorable Boston Terrier, our house is a bit chaotic, but full of love.

This is an exciting time to join the Council team. I’m looking forward to learning more about gambling disorder, and about this community. My work here will be incredibly fulfilling professionally and personally. I look forward to begin my work making an impact as soon as possible.

 

Book Review: Card Sharps, Dream Books, and Bucket Shops: Gambling in 19th-Century America

By Tom Luongo, Fiscal Director at Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling








In an effort for Council staff members to continue educating ourselves on problem gambling, each member chose a book on the topic to read and review. This week’s review comes from Fiscal Director, Tom Luongo.
 

Card Sharps, Dream Books, and Bucket Shops, by author Ann Fabian, provides an in-depth look into the impact that gambling had on the general public during the 19^th century. Gambling prohibition took place during the time period, and one of the social implications of the movement was that it took gambling out of public view and into private “gaming hells.”

The attitudes that the general public had toward gamblers during this time were harsh. For the most part, they were viewed as having nothing to contribute to society, as vagabonds and ruffians, and were often hanged, lynched, tar and feathered, whipped, or run out of town if they were caught.

Gambling was also seen differently based on class distinctions. It was seen as something done by the “idle rich and the idling poor.” Even so, it was more acceptable as a rich man’s game, and was seen as a way for them to kill boredom. It was interesting to see the mentions of gambling addiction throughout the book. Gamblers were “cured” by using the “soothing measures” of hospitalization, isolation, and a low volume diet. It even mentioned that gambling speculators, or those who make financial conjectures, were also treated as gamblers.

The history of lotteries in the country were also mentioned, it stated, “The lottery played a significant role in financing large projects in the American colonies and the early republic,” as well as stating that at least 158 lotteries were approved during the 30-year span from 1744 to 1774 to raise money for public works.

This book reveals that the stigma surrounding gamblers has not changed in the last two hundred years. Problem gamblers were, and still are, looked at with a certain contempt or disdain by the general public for not knowing how to control their gambling. Regardless of this stigma, proceeds from the lottery was seen as a revenue source for the government and as an answer to fiscal problems.  These days, elected officials still see revenue acquired from gambling as a way to “balance the books” and expand the government bureaucracy.

Citation:

Fabian, Ann. (1990) Card Sharps, Dream Books, & Bucket Shops: Gambling in 19th-century America. Ithaca: Cornell UP.