For example, after learning that two
local theater groups—Children’s
Performing Arts and Lakeshore Players
Theatre, both of White Bear Lake—
were facing challenges serving seniors
and people with disabilities in the
community, Newtrax, Inc. stepped in to
provide transportation services. “The
partnership has resulted in making
some of their programs more accessible
to people with disabilities, seniors
and others in our community,” said
Greenbaum.
Increasing accessibility is also a key
mission of The White Bear Center for
the Arts. The community center with
art at its core offers over 1,000 classes
per year, as well as art experiences for
members of the community.
Executive Director Suzi Hudson says
her relationship with Partners for Good
has led to a number of opportunities.
“Everything we do comes down to
how strong our relationships are
within our community. The more we
can be sharing community resources
and understanding, the better we
can connect our mission to another
organization’s mission,” she said.
For example, after attending one
of the Partners for Good meetings,
Hudson decided to tour the local food
shelf. While there she came upon an
opportunity for artists in one of the
White Bear Center for the Arts’ classes.
“They were working on a mural that
featured food, and I thought it would be
a good fit for the food bank’s new food
shopping area. We ended up donating
it for that purpose,” she said.
Topics for 2020
2020 Quarterly Partners for Good
Professional Development Topics
Recruiting Volunteers
Social Media
Donors
Board Development
Call VHEDC at 651.401.3211 or email
[email protected] for more information.
Merrick Inc., founded in 1964 to provide
meaningful work and quality life
enrichment opportunities for adults with
intellectual or developmental disabilities
in the northeastern Twin Cities, is also
a longtime participant in Partners for
Good. In addition, the company served
as the regular host for educational
sessions offered by Partners for Good
in 2019.
“As the Development and
Communications Director, I connect
Merrick with the community at-large
through marketing. social media
and fundraising. Partners for Good
has helped me make connections to
other nonprofit leaders in the Vadnais
Heights community. Before this group
was formed, I did not know Kari from
Children’s Performing Arts; we are
currently looking at ways for clients
of Merrick to be able to attend shows
offered by the production company,”
said Karen Herrera.
Partners for Good training and development.
The History of Partners for
Good
In early 2017, the VHEDC saw a need
and an opportunity to expand its
support to include local nonprofit
organizations. Although there are other
valuable associations available specific
to nonprofit work, people expressed a
need for something local and low-cost.
Lori Swanson and Bill Weigel
The VHEDC sponsored a series of
networking meetings for leaders of
local nonprofit organizations to discuss
the idea of forming a collaborative
group that would support and benefit
participating nonprofits by sharing
trends and best practices in nonprofit
management.
Prior to the kick-off event in February
2017, 23 prospective participants were
invited to complete a brief survey
to share information about their
organization, top challenges, current
projects, and a “wish list” for what
they would like to get out of continued
collaboration. Feedback from the
survey responses and discussion from
the initial brainstorming session led
to several focused topic discussions
and presentations, including budget
planning, fundraising, board recruitment
and engagement, diversity and
inclusion, and trends in marketing.
Non profit exhibits.
Lizzie Rainville, Solid Ground and Rob Thomas, Lakeshore
Players Theatre
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