September 4 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Hildene

Introductions

Board Recruitment

Welthy Soni-Myers — Interim Director for the Virginia Microenterprise Network and the incoming chair of the Bennington County United Way Recruiting.

Recruiting

Who the board of directors is make a difference.

Need to nurture and cultivate the board.

When recruiting, determine board type – (a) working/hands-on; (b) policy-making/set direction/strategic plan; or (c) fundraising.

Board president is most important member; has to understand mission and goals.

Lee Krohn – Professional photographer; founding member of the Manchester Community Land Trust; serves on the Manchester Fire Department Board Selection.

Board Selection

Be clear about selective roles.

Find a good executive director (be clear re: boundaries and role).

Don’t have board micro-manage.

Three W’s in finding board members – Work, Wealth, and Wisdom.

Make board meetings interesting; keep the board motivated.

Dick Malley — Executive Director for the Stratton Foundation and President of the Board of Directors for the Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity.

Experience/Skill Set

Find people with board experience; bring in a new perspective.

What kind of skill set is the nonprofit looking for.

Look for people to help the organization grow and get to the next stage.

Where to find prospective board members – (a) inside the organization; (b) donors; or (c) advisory committee.

Orientation: Be clear about the mission and challenges. Let them know what they are getting into.

Hold board retreats: Get to know other members; read the bylaws; and go over strategic plan/goals. Have each board member state their goal for the year.

Advisory Boards

Need communication from the organization; what are the needs.

Can assign a particular task.

Should meet a couple of times a year and recognized at annual meeting.

New Perspective

Reach out to younger people and get them involved in leadership roles.

Lee stated that high school youth are involved on the town boards.

Nominating Committee

Very important committee for the organization’s future/board development.

Board Meetings

Should be purposeful.

Send out agenda in advance.

Announcements

Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce –Art of Action Initiative is underway. Note: September 12 – Depot Festival.

Dave Katz — Eastern Star – Members will participate as a food vendor at the Depot Street celebration on September 12th. The money raised supports Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a camp for kids in South Hero.

Jennifer Slattery – The Collaborative – Refuse to Use Kick-Off — September 13, 1:30 — 3:00 p.m. at the Burr & Burton Academy Gym.

Manchester Music Festival – Fall concert tour begins September 17. For additional information, call 362-1956.

Joe Hurley – Bart Center – September 19 — 2nd Annual NO LIMITS Benefit Bike Ride at the Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park. For additional information, call 802-447-1054.

Kerri MacLaury – Big Brothers Big Sisters (Northshire) – Volunteer to be a Big at a lunch time (30 minutes) and/or community-based (1 hour/week) program(s).

Wendy Rae Woods – United Way of Bennington County – Will be featured on GNAT- TV Kaleidoscope program. For more information, call Wendy at 367-1155.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, October 2, 8:00 a.m., at Riley Rink at Hunter Park, Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center, Vermont.

August 7 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Southern Vermont Arts Center
Introductions

The Top 10 Things (Give or Take) Creatives Love/Hate about Their Clients(and Vice Versa)
David Van de Water – Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc.
Phone:  (518) 233-6449; E-Mail:  van@mohawkpaper.com

Communication is an outreach to tell your story.  Building a relationship between the nonprofit and designer is a key element in designing a plan.  Below are ten points for a successful relationship.

Organizations See Communications as an Investment – Not an Expense
Plan programs to make money, not save money.
Link projects to initiatives.
A logo is not just an identity; it could also be a style, attitude, or tone of voice in written communication.
Start with small projects.
Treat Design Consultants as Partners – Not Vendors
Build a relationship on trust.
Get consultants involved; have them meet the board and attending meetings.
Stay with one design shop.
Recognize and reward results.
Understand and Clarify the Roles of Team Members
Assess talents and assign to appropriate projects.
The nonprofit is the executive director of the project(s); stay above the consultant; direct them.
Nonprofit is involved in decisions.
Focus on Objectives not Deliverables
Identify objectives, create a strategy, and develop a plan that everyone agrees with.
Emphasize what’s important again and again.  Be clear and be open.
Get consultants involved early.  Build your plan incrementally; don’t throw everything out there all at once.

Be Willing to Take Risks
Be secure and confident when presenting your plan.  Ask designer for talking points.

Make Sure There are Adequate Resources
Time, money, or quality.  Pick two.  With enough time the nonprofit can be very creative with a limited budget (a key for nonprofits).
If a designer rushes through a project, have them go back and re-work it.
Good photos and good writing make for great work.
Give the designer access to information and the management team.

Keep Things Simple
Focus – Tell a limited story well.  People look at pictures first, then read a headline and caption, and lastly read the story.  Don’t need to say everything.

Stick Around
Again, relationship is key. 
Periodically, re-energize the relationship.

Want to do Great Work with Nice People
Nonprofit work is special; have an important story to tell.
Elevate the work to higher level, make a difference, and stand out.

Announcements
Beth Meacham – Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce – Two marketing opportunities for nonprofits:  Sidewalk Sales 8/13-16 and Art of Action Initiative – 9/12 – Depot Festival.

Kate Fox – Casting for Recovery – On behalf of Betsy Gentile (Marlboro College), Kate handed out brochures for the upcoming Certificate in Nonprofit Management course.  The program starts September 18 and ends January 8.  Classes will be held at the Berkshire Bank, Richville Road, Manchester Center.

Dick Malley – Stratton Foundation – The Foundation has 16 available grants.  The deadline is September 1.  Check the website (strattonfoundation.org) for additional information.

Martha Heilemann – Southwestern Vermont Healthcare – The hospital is hosting a public forum at the Manchester Elementary School on Monday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m. entitled “How the Hospital Saves the Community.” 

Dave Katz — Eastern Star – Members will sell popcorn and other food at the Depot Street celebration on September 12th.  The money raised supports Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a camp for kids in South Hero.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, September 4, 8:00 a.m., at Hildene (Visitor Center), Route 7A, Manchester, Vermont.  The topic is “Board Development: Recruiting and Attracting New Board Members.”

July 10 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Mark Skinner Libarary

INTRODUCTIONS

CommonGoodVT.org

Lauren-Glenn Davitian, Executive Director — Center for Media & Democracy

• CommonGoodVT.org is managed by CCTV’s Center for Media & Democracy (www.cctv.org), a 25 year old free speech and community media organization with experience in network building and using communication tools to promote social change.
• When VANPO closed, the Vermont Community Foundation wanted to fill the gap.  CCTV received a grant from the foundation to create a nonprofit network and launched CommonGoodVT.org.  This site serves as a clearinghouse of relevant tools, training, and technical assistance for nonprofits and their stakeholders. 
• Where do nonprofits go for help with a project?  What can a state-focus group do?  The focus of CommonGoodVT.org is to bring nonprofits together for networking purposes.  A person is considered a mini-hub with a network of contacts surrounding them.  Nonprofits build relationships and should leverage their network.  The internet is a way to bring people in and get information out.
• When creating a post (i.e., video, twitter, etc.) on the internet, tag videos as “npvt” and twitter posts as “#npvt.”  Tagging allows CommonGoodVt.org  to go out and “sweep” the internet for relevant, useful information which is then posted on the website

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, August 7, 8:00 a.m., at the Southern Vermont Art Center.  The topic is “The Top 10 Things (Give or Take) Creatives Love/Hate about Their Clients (and Vice Versa).”

April 3 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Hildene

INTRODUCTIONS

Attracting Major Donors

 Rich Thompson Tucker – Burr and Burton Academy

 - The number one reason people do not give is “they were not asked.”
 - Call and visit your donors to thank them.
 - Keep in touch with your donors.
 - Donors like recognition.
 - Highest motivator for giving to an organization is the mission statement. 
– Ask your donors what inspired them to give.
 - Greatest frustration – communication.
 - Board should be involved in fundraising via networking and cultivation. 
– Board should also give to the organization.
 - Personal visits to donors are the best way to raise funds. 
– The maximum number of people from the organization to take on a visit is two.
 - House parties are a great way of making introductions.
 - If a possible donor has no interest, move on.
 - The most underutilized skills in fundraising is listening.
 - Keep your donor close.

How to Attract Affluent Donors

 Andy Campanella — Financial Advisor — Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management
 Matt Santangelo — CFTA and Vice President — Merrill Lynch Trust Company

 - Have an effective investment portfolio.  Donors want to see transparency.
 - Nonprofits can take some risk.
 - Become familiar with the different types of gifts, i.e., bequests, charitable
  remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, etc.
 - For a list of foundations go to FoundationCenter.org.
 - Service and recognition are very important to donors.  Visit them. 
– Found out what is their passion/what gets them excited. 
– Donors are motivated to give to make an immediate difference.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, May 1, 8:15 a.m., at Burr and Burton Academy  (Hunter Seminar Room), 57 Seminary Avenue, Manchester, Vermont.  The topic is “How the Chamber of Commerce Works with Local Nonprofits.”

March 6 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  First Congregational Church

INTRODUCTIONS

FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS

Dick Malley – Habitat for Humanity and The Stratton Foundation

Habitat for Humanity works with faith-based organizations and has received tremendous support.  Habitat works with each congregation to involve the members.

The Stratton Foundation does not give funds to the faith-based organization but does support inter-faith initiatives (such as money for heat, emergency food fund, meals on wheels, etc.).  The Foundation created an urgent need fund for food, fuel, and healthcare.

Rabbi David Novak – Israel Congregation, Manchester

Rabbi Novak formed a committee to donate funds (such as summer lunch program, food cupboard) to nonprofits on a local and international level.

The committee, which is not faith-based but action-based, does not wait to address or work on an issue.  They are not only inspired by the sacred text but act on it.

Kathleen Clark – Federal Church of East Arlington

Reverend Clark considers the congregation as part of the community.  They get work done through partnerships with nonprofits (senior meals program, Arlington Food Shelf, lunch program).

Beverly Carroll – First Congregational Church — Manchester

Beverly coordinates facility use.  The church is committed to working with nonprofits and wants to be a meeting house.  However, they have maintenance expenses and sometimes there is a charge for the room.

Sue Andrews — Inter-Faith Council

The focus is on social action – better ways to serve the community – be pro-active. 

Recently launched the Bennington County Free Clinic.

Next issue is food security – working with food banks, food stamps, WIC, community gardens, and farmers.

Some Inter-Faith Council programs are:  summer lunch, food cupboard, auto angels, neighbor-to-neighbor, emergency needs, and holiday drive.

Because of the current economic situation, there is more need and the need is changing.  People who never asked for assistance need to know how to access services.  One “positive” is that people who never sought aid before have had their eyes opened.

We cannot look to someone else for help (the State); we have to look at each other and work together.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, April 3, 8:00 a.m., at Hildene (Beckwith Room in the Visitor Center) Route 7A in Manchester.  The topic is “Attracting Affluent Donors to Your Nonprofit.”

The Greater Bennington Interfaith Council Opens Clinic

On January 14th our project The Free Medical Clinic celebrated it’s grand opening with 225 celebrants and began seeing patients the next day.  We now have 45 doctors, 12 nurses and 100 other volunteers.  Thc clinic serves uninsured patients throughout Bennington County and  the nearby towns of the two adjacent  states.  The Interfaith Council of the Northshire is collaborating with us on this project.  A new board and a Medical Advisory Committee are coming into being that will oversee the clinic’s work.  The board will be called The Bennington County Interfaith Community Services, Inc. and now has it’s own non-profit status separate from the Council.   For services and information call 447-3700.

*Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity*-New Building!

*Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity* – we will be building next at 25 Asa’s Way, North Bennington.  We anticipate a late April start.  

Please check our website for information.      www.benningtonareahabitat.com.

We don’t have a facility to host our monthly meeting, but we would be pleased to organize a build day on a Wednesday or Saturday for members of our group!

*Stratton Foundation* McCarty and Focus Grant applications due 4/1

*Stratton Foundation* – McCarty and Focus Grant applications are due by April 1.  

Please check the website
    (www.strattonfoundation.org) for information and to download an application.  

Please call, Dick Malley at 297-2096 if you have any questions.

February 6 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Mark Skinner Library

INTRODUCTIONS

Business – Martha Heilemann was voted in as Board Member-at-Large.

Collaboration

Casting for Recovery

Contact Information – Lori Simon – Executive Director; Phone: (802) 362-9181; Website – castingforrecovery.org

Transition and Change

Being new to CFR, Lori indicated that this is a good time to make a change as well as the beginning of a new year.  Be a “fly on the wall;” take the “look and listen” approach.

When making a change, pick one segment.  Don’t make sweeping changes; don’t do too much at one time.

CFR has many volunteers and when changes were made, Lori received some push back.  Don’t push too hard; ask for input and ownership of the changes.  The volunteers are a grassroots organization.

Economy

Transition into a different way of thinking.  Break it down into small steps. 

Spread yourself out.  Build your database; use direct mail; broaden your base of people.

Marlboro College Graduate School – Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Betsy Gentile – Program Coordinator – Phone:  1-888-258-5665; Website:  www.nonprofit.marlboro.edu

This program is a collaboration between Champlain and Marlboro Colleges. 

Nonprofits need to be run like a business but lack a business model.  This four-month program was developed to assist nonprofits to create a model.

The workshops include the following:

 The World of Not-for-Profits
 Effective Leadership through Financial Management
 Strategic Planning
 Fundraising
 Marketing
 Human Resources
 Conflict Resolution and Communication
 Understanding the Board of Directors and Pulling It All Together

The spring semester begins February 27 and ends on June 12.  The 10 classes are held on Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Registration cost is $750; however, financial assistance is available.  The college receives money from the state and also has ten $250 scholarships available (first come, first served basis). 

Classes are capped at 24 participants.  In previous sessions students consisted of executive directors, supervisors, and people who wanted to advance to management positions. 

If you miss a class, PowerPoint presentations are available online.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, March 6, 8:00 a.m., at the First Congregational Church, Route 7A in Manchester.  The topic is faith-based organizations and nonprofit partnerships.

January 9 Meeting — Minutes

Location:  Riley Rink

INTRODUCTIONS

Announcements

 
Bromley Mountain – Bart Center – On February 1 the Bart Center is putting together a snow sculpting event.  February 7-8 is Wounded Warrior Weekend.  Volunteers are needed along with host families.  Contact Joe Hurley at the Bart Center at (802) 824-5522 ext. 430 or visit the website bartcenter.com.

Masons and the Eastern Star – January 11 Board Game Night; January 22 Cribbage Tournament at the Masonic Building, Spruce Street, Manchester Center.  Contact David Katz at 362-0041.

Riley Rink – February 7 is the Boston Bruins Alumni Game.

Martha Heilemann – Bennington Museum is looking for an annual fund coordinator.  Contact Steve Perkins at 447-1571.

COLLABORATION

The Collaborative

Contact Information – Tara Shannon – Community Coordinator — 362-3770; website www.thecollaborative.us.

The Collaborative is a nonprofit community-based substance abuse prevention coalition.  The goals are to promote healthy families and individuals and substance-free youth.

The Collaborative runs many programs such as mentoring, refuse to use, and smoking cessation.

Students from Burr and Burton took part in an educational campaign by putting stickers with a message regarding social hosting and the legal drinking age on cases of beer in local stores.

Marketing Your Nonprofit — Communication Plan and Marketing Strategies

Margaret Donovan – Manchester Advertising

Margaret handed out an outline of a communications plan.  Input should come from your board and whomever you think is important.  Points to consider are how to communicate your plan and why is it important for people to hear it. 

Communication comes from all levels within your organization, i.e., letterhead, answering the phone, greeting visitors, and ads. 

Update the plan each year.

Barbara Dooling – United Counseling Service

Barbara handed out a copy of the UCS plan.  Each year the plan has a theme (for ’09 Anti-Stigma Campaign).  It contains objectives, events, ongoing activities (i.e., radio and TV spots, web maintenance), and a calendar (what needs to be done each month). 

The plan is periodically reviewed.

Rosalie Fox – Consultant

Rosalie handed out materials on network and viral marketing. 

Viral marketing is a way to communicate your plan via people with good social networks.  Your objectives are a very important element.  Your message should be clear. 

Network marketing can be compared to gossip.  Everyone gets the message and they do something with it.

Traditional media is still important but face-to-face is crucial.

Go to people who are “in the know” and who have influence with others. 

Don’t start a campaign you cannot finish.  Make it easy for people.

Think out of the box; be creative.

Build relationships.

The next NNN meeting will be held on Friday, February 6, 8:00 a.m., at the Mark Skinner Library, Route 7A in Manchester.  Representatives from Marlboro College Grad Center will be discussing their nonprofit programs which are coming to Manchester.