Attending:
Joe Hurley-The Bart Center; Dick Malley-Habitat for Humanity; David Katz-Masons/Eastern Star; Richard Dundas-Bennington Free Clinic; Derek Boothby-Manchester Music Festival; Martha Heilemann-SVMC; Bruce Frauman; Tara Shannon-The Collaborative; Seline Skoug-Arlington Rescue; Karen Preissler-video, artist; Kathie Stone-Meals on Wheels.
The meeting started with introductions and an announcement by Kathie Stone regarding the Marlboro College Board Development seminar for $100 this Saturday; David Katz announced the Make-A-Wish cookbook for $15 (contact David at katzmeow5560@yahoo.com). The Bart Center is hosting the Wounded Soldiers event on January, 29 & 30. Contact Joe Hurley bartcenter@comcast.net.
Each group has been working on creating action plans.
Programming Group
Programming Group (Tara Shannon, Martha Heilemann, Dick Malley and Lois Beardwood) presented a list of meeting subjects based on people’s responses and ideas for meeting format(s).
The group thought it would be helpful for many reasons to have three meetings in which our members present information about a topic that they feel they have something to offer and is a topic that the group wants. Then the fourth meeting would be an expert from outside to talk about something that we do not have expertise or want more in depth knowledge. If the topic is more suited to discussion then that will be the format of the meeting, the organizers can decide. Dick Malley mentioned that this is a great way to keep things fresh and engage more NNN members.
The attendees prioritized meeting subjects for January, February and March and people signed up to organize and facilitate that particular meeting which includes: speaker(s), agenda, facility and refreshments. Seline Skoug and Barbara Dooling will continue to send out meeting notices and press releases.
The meeting subjects and organizers are (Tara will be writing up a more detailed program description to follow):
January: Fundraising/Finance: Seline Skoug, Joe Hurley, Martha Heilemann, David Katz
February: Marketing/Publicity: Tara Shannon, Bruce Frauman, Richard Dundas
March: Board Work: Derek Boothby, Dick Malley
April: Grant writing—On standby since it’s a large subject and there are many interests. Perhaps a forum or speaker would be good. Karen Preisler volunteered to see if people are interested in joint grant writing.
Discussion also included Derek Boothby mentioning that the expertise is vast among the NNN members and organizations are at different levels and that we should keep focused on a common denominator, which is promoting non-profits and sharing ideas. The group agreed that even if certain subjects may not be as relevant we take something away from the meetings.
Other discussions:
Since the meeting focused on the Programming Group, next month’s meeting will be to hear from the other groups. If it will take more time to discuss these important subjects, then maybe we use another meeting to discuss the groups work.
Seline Skoug mentioned that the Battenkill Business Journal will be highlighting the NNN in their December issue and it would be important to get a current list of NNN members on the website. She will send out a form to people to complete-a 2 line description of your organization and contact information. She will also give the Program Group a list of facilities where we have held meetings. Please forward your meeting title, speakers, format to Tara Shannon (tara@thecollaborative.us).
Richard Dundas brought up the fact that the NNN seems to be geographically centered around the Northshire and that there are organizations in Bennington that are involved or could be. He suggested a name change that would better reflect the whole valley. The attendees agreed that it was important to address. The attendees felt that the Manchester Chamber is a great resource and the Bennington Chamber could be more involved. Joe Hurley will stop by the Bennington Chamber to see if someone can come to the meetings.
Seline Skoug mentioned that Margaret Donovan was working on reviewing the website and how we can improve it. The website/calendar group notes to follow.
Marketing NPO’s in the area. Dick Malley mentioned the Manchester Journal NPO page where NPO’s for a fee can list themselves. Discussion continued around if the NPO’s would have the funds to buy the full page ad or would the NNN members work to raise money. Martha Heilemann wondered if one meeting should focus on “NNN projects.” Derek Boothby suggested that the mission of the NNN was not to raise money as a group. The attendees agreed but also felt it important that marketing the NPO’s in the community was important. Discussion to continue.
Next meeting: December 3rd, Riley Rink, 8am.
Agenda: introductions; reports from Marketing, Website and Collaboration groups as time allows; next steps.
Filed under: Meeting Notes
