A lot can change in a year, especially at United Way of Northeastern Minnesota where our programs and partners are continually evaluated to ensure they’re making in the impact intended.
In my year as board president – in addition to operating our long-running programs and providing support to 50+ nonprofits across our 13,500 square mile service area – we collaborated with leaders across the region and state to: mobilize volunteers for our first-ever Day of Action in Keewatin, responded to devastating regionwide flooding, and worked with United Way organizations across the state to release the “United for ALICE” report.
Learning more about ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) in particular has been very eye opening. There is a lot of work that needs to be done – including building coalition – to affect change, but I believe with UWNEMN at the helm we can make real improvements for ALICE in our communities.
That’s because UWNEMN’s staff, donors, and volunteers are always looking to do more, dig deeper, and help as many people as possible.
When I joined the UWNEMN Board of Directors eight years ago, our team of three was working out of a closet in downtown Chisholm, borrowing space from the city to pack Buddy Backpacks. Now we have a team of eight working out of a big, beautiful, functional building (thanks to generous donations from Dick Enrico, Minnesota Power, and many others) with two warehouses, a loading dock, and full conference room.
The building is such an asset to the organization and the community, and every time you visit you see it being put to good use. Heck – last time I was stopped in, students were completing their American Red Cross babysitter training!
Our greatest asset, of course, continues to be local people. As we’ve become more well known in the community, people have begun bringing ideas to us that have inspired programs and collaborations that are making a difference right now for someone in our community. And none of it would be possible without individual donations.
As I reflect on this month’s Fund Distribution Day, in which volunteers and donors determined how funds we raised over the past year will be reinvested in NUMBER partner agencies this year, the difference we can collectively make as individuals feels all the more relevant. Our partner agencies are on the ground serving specific specialized needs that UWNEMN alone could never address adequately. Agency staff have the education and training to do this specialized work, but in many cases, UWNEMN’s support - and your donations - make it possible.
I anticipate a major focus in the year ahead will be board member development and recruitment. We are going through an interesting period with several long-term active board members are reaching their term limits. Incoming Board President Chad Buus is very active and engaging, and I have no doubt he will be successful in cultivating and educating new board members.
My time on UWNEMN’s Board of Directors has instilled in me a confidence that our residents are willing and able to work together for the betterment of our neighbors and communities, and I leave my presidency knowing the future of our organization and region is in good hands – our own.
LaTisha Gietzen is the Market Manager – Mining North America for Kalenborn and has served on UWNEMN’s Board of Directors for eight years.