Yesterday, our Governing Board Members held its bi-monthly meeting to discuss the business of the Friends of Independence and to make decisions that will best lead our organization into the future. Like many non-profits, our leaders are part of the business community and use their knowledge and skills to help our organization thrive and grow.
For the past few years the Governing Board meetings centered on the financial health of the organization and how we would weather the down-turning economy. Many of our discussions dealt with future funding and the stability of the Friends. This is not an uncommon theme for most non-profits, and in comparison, we have weathered better than most. However, it has become a repetitive, never-ending topic. There never will be a time when we say that as an organization we have too much, that we do not need more, and that we will not accept funding; because we know that the more funding we have, the more we can do for our park.
Yesterday’s meeting, however, was different. While we still discussed the financial health of the organization, we also started to discuss the future: How we wanted to see ourselves, how we wanted others to see us, and what we wanted to do to have our name reach more people. Looking around the room, I could see my board members becoming animated as they brainstormed the possibilities. They were so excited for what we were doing that in turn they enlivened me.
As the lone staff member for the Friends of Independence, I am charged with thinking ahead. It is my responsibility to look for ways to connect with our constituents and to plan events, programs, and opportunities that will make our organization more visible. Usually by the time I present an idea to the Governing Board, I am past my excited stage; I am in the business portion of the planning. I am working out the logistics to make sure that we not only can produce the program but that it will meet tangible goals.
I walked into that meeting yesterday with my facts and figures, and I walked out feeling very excited for the future possibilities because my board members were enthusiastic and energized. It is an incredible feeling to have a clear idea of where you are headed and to have the support of the Board. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the Friends of Independence. While that is an amazing accomplishment, we know we cannot live on our past glories.
We are changing. We are growing. We are evolving as we should. We know our future has unlimited potential. And we hope that you share our vision. We invite you to continue the journey with us as we explore and reshape the Future of the Friends of Independence.
Stay tuned for some incredible programming…
~Maiti Gallen
Program Director
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