about NNN

Welcome to the Northshire Non-Profit Network’s Web Page!

The Northshire Non-Profit is a collaborative group of nonprofit organizations who meet together on a monthly basis to share ideas on specific topics and network together for the mutual benefit of each organization.

This web site is where you can find out information about our meetings, our members, and other tips. Our group is open to all non-profits in the Northshire region (roughly southwestern Vermont). If you would like to learn more or to attend our next meeting, please leave a comment below and we’ll contact you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Northshire Nonprofit Network Guidelines

(Adopted November 2, 2007)

Vision for the Northshire Nonprofit Network – We are united in building a vibrant nonprofit sector in southern Vermont to sustain the rich quality of life which area residents enjoy.

To this end we are committed to:

* Working together. We think of our group as being pieces of a puzzle – each with distinctly different and diverse missions – but with each piece fitting together and the sum total of all contributions adding to the vitality of our community. While it is true we seek generous support from many of the same individuals and organizations, we dispel the notion that we are competitors. It is incumbent upon each organization to make its best case for support. We support each other in doing so. No one organization has the answer. When one nonprofit fails, we are diminished. When each succeeds, our community benefits.

* Ways we work together

We meet monthly to:

• Share ideas and collaborate where appropriate.
• Become more aware of the work of other area nonprofits and the challenges that each faces.
• Celebrate and encourage the contributions of individuals and organizations that contribute work, wisdom and wealth and without such support we could not be successful.

We are united in seeking ways to promote the contributions of all members of the nonprofit organizations in making a stronger community. Some of these ways include but are not limited to:

• Communicating through the media, our website, and including links to member sites and a current calendar of events of all NNN member organizations.
• Presenting positive messages through the media: print, radio and public access TV.
• Joining the Chamber of Commerce.
• Meeting with our state and local legislators as needed to share the importance of nonprofits to our economy, culture and region.

1. NNN Member – An NNN Member is defined as a person who is actively involved in the nonprofit community as staff, board member, volunteer or consultant, is currently on the NNN mailing list and has attended at least one meeting in that calendar year.

2. Annual Meeting – An Annual Meeting of the Northshire Nonprofit Network will be held in December. Regular meetings are generally held on the first Friday of the month.

3. Committee Elections - At the Annual Meeting, NNN Members will elect a Committee composed of a chair, vice chair, communications chair, communications vice chair and a member at large. Committee members will work individually, and meet at the request of the chair to: support our vision; maintain and enhance NNN’s programs and communications; establish continuity; communicate with NNN Members; advocate on behalf of the nonprofit community with elected officials, community leaders and others; and spearhead the nominating process.

4. Nominating – In September, the NNN Committee and any other interested NNN Members will meet to develop and review the list of prospective candidates for the NNN Committee election in December. A call for candidates will be e-mailed to NNN Members. A list of candidates will be emailed to the NNN membership in November with the December meeting announcement.

5. Continuity – To establish continuity, the goal will be for the vice chair position to be elected as chair at the December meeting, subject to the approval and vote of the NNN members. This establishes continuity by having the vice chair groomed and ready to step into the chair’s position after one year or in the chair’s absence.

6. Removal – A majority of members may vote to remove a member of the NNN committee for just cause. That position will be filled by vote at the next annual meeting, or by a special vote when all Members have received notice of the candidate, and time, date and location of the vote. Departing committee members agree to pass along all NNN information and materials to the Committee.

7. Volunteer Positions – We acknowledge and agree that the positions listed above are volunteer positions and that committee members will receive no compensation other than for reasonable and approved out of pocket expenses.

8. Organizational Structure – We will work to keep this organization easy to maintain, reasonable cost, easy for Members to participate in and for regular networking, seeking and offering quality programs by leaders in the field, and to minimize the burden on NNN Members who are already busy running and managing their own nonprofit organizations.

9. Dues and Expenses – The chair or committee can pass the hat at NNN meetings, as needed, to pay for meetings, refreshments, website expenses, Etc. In addition, the committee or chair may arrange annual dues that are reasonable and justified, subject to the approval of the NNN membership by a majority vote at a regularly scheduled meeting, when announcement of such intent to implement dues, and the exact amount of those dues, are made via e-mail to the full membership at least 30 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting, and the date, time and location of the meeting where the vote is to take place. A full written account of dues income and expenses for that calendar year will be provided by the chair at each Annual Meeting.

10. Fundraising & Soliciting – We acknowledge that NNN is not a registered nonprofit organization, and the Committee and Members agree not to fundraise or solicit monetary support or goods from individuals, companies, foundation or others for NNN activities but may request in-kind donations such as the use of meeting sites, pro bono services of speakers and presenters, assistance from website experts, Etc.

11. Changes to Guidelines – These guidelines may be changed by a majority vote of NNN Members at a regularly scheduled meeting, subject to their receiving an e-mail notice to all Members at least 30 days prior to the meeting, with the proposed changes in writing, and the date, time and location of the regularly scheduled NNN meeting where the vote is to take place.

NNN Committee:

Chair – The responsibilities of the chair include researching and contacting speakers, putting together the monthly agenda, meeting sites for the coming year and other business to come before the Northshire Nonprofit Network, as well as maintaining the NNN contact list, sending out the agendas to the membership prior to the meetings, nominating, Etc.

Vice chair – Responsibilities include working with the chair on the items listed above, develop an understanding of the NNN organization and structure, and other duties as agreed with the chair and the NNN membership. The vice-chair steps in during a chair’s absence. The vice-chair understands that they are next in line to serve as the chair of NNN and they take this position fully agreeing to take on the role of the chair after the annual election in December.

Communications chair – Responsibilities include working with the chair on publicity for the next meeting, publicizing each monthly meeting to the local and regional media, publicity about special events or activities of NNN, taking and making available the meeting minutes, maintaining and updating the website, informing NNN members about new technologies that would benefit their nonprofits, Etc.

Communications vice chair – Responsibilities include working with the communications chair on publicity, updating and maintaining the NNN website, taking and making available the minutes in the absence of the communications chair, other activities as agreed with the communications chair and NNN members. The vice-chair understands that they are next in line to serve as communications chair and also steps in during the communication chair’s absence.

Member at large – Assists the Committee with program ideas, feedback from the NNN membership, nominating, and other work and planning as needed.