2009 Member Meeting

This is the first post by Jennifer Chandler, the National Council’s new Vice President and Director of Network Support and Knowledge Transfer. 
 
Pinching myself. That’s what I keep doing. There I am, standing at the registration table for the National Council of Nonprofits’ annual member meeting in Washington, DC, and leaders of nonprofit state associations all over the country are pausing to greet me as they reconnect with friends and colleagues. There is quite a buzz. And I’m the New Kid On The Block. Only five days before, I spent my first day as teammate to Tim, Rick, Ann, Elizabeth, and Linda, as well as terrific interns Beth, Charles, Courtney and Marissa, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Opening the 2009 State Association Member Meeting

The 2009 Member Meeting marked amazing milestones for the National Council of Nonprofits. On Monday, July 13, 2009, nonprofit sector leaders gathering to share great ideas about how to leverage the power of the National Council’s network were also celebrating the launch of the National Council’s 20th year. Twenty years ago this summer, founders including Flo Green, Peter Swords, Bob Orser, Robert Kardon, Ben Amos, Ron Cretaro, Betsy Johnson, and Jon Pratt mapped out a support system for emerging and existing state associations of nonprofits. At the celebration, two of the founders, Ron Cretaro and Jon Pratt cut a cake as we sang “Happy Birthday” to the National Council.

Ron Cretaro & Jon Pratt cut the cake the National Council's 20th year kickoff cake

Twenty years ago, could they have imagined that the nascent “NCNA,” as it was first known, would be sending a delegation, 80 strong, to the White House? Or that nonprofits would collectively reach out offering to partner with government to identify innovative solutions to solve social justice issues, address climate change, improve access to and the quality of education, and help solve the health care reform challenge for small employers in our communities?

State association leaders arrive in the Indian Treaty Room to meet witih White House staff

These are the issues that interest the White House Office of Social Innovation. But nonprofits do so much more, despite having less to do it with these days. One of the first projects I’m tackling here at the National Council of Nonprofits to help synthesize national survey data that shows the significant toll the economy is having on nonprofits all across the country. I’m awed by what nonprofits are doing even with their hands tied behind their backs and IOUs being handed to them right and left.

Chris Love (AR) and Danielle Clore (KY)

Like Danielle in Kentucky and Chris in Arkansas who are sharing ideas in our network about everything from the most easy-to-use database software to the coolest websites, and like Carol in Oregon, Brian in Montana, and Dana in North Dakota, who, like our senior leaders in the sector, remind us that by reaching across regions and interest groups, through collaborations and partnerships, not just on Capitol Hill but in state capitols and rural enclaves, we have amazing power as a network of nonprofits to help each other achieve our missions, serve as a safety net for individuals, and weave a rich fabric of culture for our communities.

National Council President & CEO Tim Delaney demonstrates the Hoberman sphere as a model for the National Council network

I’m honored and excited to be part of the National Council of Nonprofits at this juncture and I’m pinching myself because 20 years ago the founders had an amazing vision. And I am standing where I can see first hand the power of selfless sharing that characterizes the network of the National Council of Nonprofits. I can’t wait to reach across the network and share what Jon and Ron, Chris and Danielle, Carol, Brian, and Dana have discovered. Check back to the National Council’s website as we highlight new resources and forge new partnerships.

Together we can!