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| Photo by Flickr user andymcd |
At the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ 2008 Annual Conference last week, MCN and MCF jointly sponsored the opening reception, with support from the Northwest Area Foundation.
The party featured brief conversations with some of the newest movers and shakers in the Minnesota foundation world:
- Trista Harris, executive director, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
- Peter Hutchinson, president, Bush Foundation
- Randi Ilyse Roth, executive director, Otto Bremer Foundation
- Kevin Walker, president and CEO, Northwest Area Foundation
These leaders’ remarks were informative, but they were also candid, relaxed and sometimes downright funny. I got a really good feeling from the Q & A. Without even trying (or so it seemed), these individuals exemplified so many of the MCF Principles to which all our members subscribe, such as clearly stating mission and goals, engaging grantees in thoughtful dialogue, building respectful relationships, and being clear and timely in our communications with constituents.
Okay, now you may be thinking my connection to the MCF Principles is a bit contrived, but honestly, isn’t a principle something to live by? So whether we’re sitting at our desks writing lengthy grant guidelines (or lengthy grant proposals) or enjoying beverages and a laugh with our nonprofit colleagues, shouldn’t our principles shine through regardless?
So, sign me up for the next party where we do a little socializing and a little information sharing all at once. It’s kind of like great design: form and function all in one package.
Join the conversation: Did you attend and enjoy last week’s MCF/MCN reception? What other get-to-know-you events should we plan between the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors?
- Wendy Wehr, MCF V.P. of Communications and Information Services
