Friday, February 17, 2012

Sullivan County Non-Profit Summitt

Meaning More Than Meets The Eye                   

Working with the women on the Sullivan Non-profit Summit Committee affirms my confidence that a group of caring and competent individuals, focused on making a difference, can be successful even under difficult circumstances.

Most members of the committee are juggling many responsibilities in organizations that have been impacted by current economic constraints. Even so, they choose for the good of the local and regional non-profit organizations, to find time to make the summit happen.

During planning and coordination of the summit, the members of the group have shared various points of view, expanding everyone’s understanding of the challenges currently facing the non-profit sector, as well as increasing ideas and insight for how to address those challenges.

An event of this size and caliber certainly has its share of presenting challenges.  It is easy to speak about collaboration and innovation, but not always so easy to implement. It takes a certain tolerance for divergent thinking to be able to accept what others value and why.

Any creative endeavor presents points of tension or discouragement; the very existence of this summit speaks to the genuine and persistent effort of committee members; meeting by meeting, call by call, e-mail by e-mail, tasks and "to dos"…to fulfill the mission.

I am so pleased to be able to work with professionals that have come to a place where they understand that the good of the whole really does support the good of the one. By sharing the sum of all our specialized, knowledge, skills and competencies, and trusting the process, this year’s Sullivan County Non-Profit Summit has taken shape.

The work this year has heightened the committee’s awareness in the following ways:
  • The challenges of Sullivan County are common to many other rural areas and summits similar to our own might possibly benefit those areas
  • The importance of the long game has become even more apparent, in order to realize all that is hoped for…in Sullivan County and other counties like our own… the Sullivan County Non–Profit Summit will continue in future years         
I am very proud and grateful to have participated in this start-up as a member of the 2011 and 2012 Non-Profit planning committees. I look forward to ongoing participation in efforts to enhance leadership, collaboration and innovation in Sullivan County and regional non-profit development. 
       
Sullivan County Non-Profit Summit Information & Registration
       
The committee welcomes participation and support from sponsors and volunteers for the 2013 Sullivan County Non-Profit Summit.


Kristin Geeslin/Work Life Synergy,  
Catalyzing Individual & Organizational Development
kristingeeslin2@gmail.com