By Pamela Fisher
The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announced its latest initiative to expand advocacy efforts for its not-for-profit members.
The Chamber has formed its first Adirondack Nonprofit Business Council, bringing together nonprofit leaders from throughout Warren, Washington and Northern Saratoga counties. The Council was formed, in part, to encourage organizations to address common issues and to develop a unified voice for public policy, officials said.
Members of the council include representatives from organizations specializing in human services, health care and the arts.
“The not-for-profit sector in our community continues to be not only one of the largest employment sectors, but is truly the interconnected fabric that makes this community what it is today,” said Peter Aust, president and CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Our goal with this new nonprofit council initiative is to ensure this vital sector of our regional economy remains strong by aligning resources and strategies for a sustainable future.”
In early 2013, the Chamber sent its nonprofit members, more than 70 organizations, a survey asking about issues such as fund-raising, grant writing, board development, and use of social media. The survey received a high amount of responses, and indicated many of the area’s organizations are seeking ways to appeal to younger generations, encourage volunteerism, attain government funding, and improve public relations and information technology.
Some 98 percent of the agencies surveyed were interested in receiving more information about how to integrate nonprofit leadership into the development of the Tri-county region.
“This council can bring about great opportunities for partnerships and collaborations,” said Mark Donahue, president and CEO of Community, Work, and Independence Inc., an agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities, and a top employer in the region.
“Not-for-profit organizations are such an integral part of our community. They are a strong economic catalyst and add so much to the quality of life in our region,” he said. “It is my hope that the council will provide a means of educating our community and for profit businesses on the importance of the role these organizations play in our everyday lives.”
For an inaugural event, the Council has planned a panel discussion titled “A Synergistic Community – Strengthening the Connectivity of Business.”
The panel will consist of Kelly Matthews, COO of the New York Council of Nonprofits; Barbara Sweet, executive director of the Tri-County United Way; Sara Mannix, CEO of Mannix Marketing; and Robin Russom, vice president and retail market manager of TD Bank.
Mark Fleischer, artistic director for the Adirondack Theater Festival, will serve as moderator for the event, and will also take questions from the audience. The discussion will focus on how non-profit and for-profit arenas can work together to prosper in these economic times and improve their communities.
“In my experience, leaders in our local not-for-profits are creative and out of the box thinkers, said Donahue. “They run efficiently and in many ways know how to operate on a shoe string. These values coupled with for-profit resources and expertise can open new possibilities to benefit all commercial enterprise, whether for-profit, or not-for-profit.” The panel event is planned for 8-10 a.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Queensbury Hotel. There is no charge for ARCC members, and the cost for non-ARCC members is $20.
To reserve a seat, contact Morag Rosa at the Chamber at 798-1761 or by e-mail at mrosa@adirondackchamber.org. For more information about the event, visit the Chamber’s website at www.adirondackchamber.org.