Nonprofit Town Hall- A Place to Connect and Belong
April 27th, 2020
Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in serving our community and the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) was honored to facilitate a nonprofit town hall meeting to support connections and conversations for community nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 13, 50+ nonprofits joined in the virtual town hall which provided opportunities to share insights, feedback, unexpected gifts and challenges with one another.
The next nonprofit virtual town hall will take place on April 28 at 4:00pm.
Brene Brown defines connection as: “the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued – when they can give and receive without judgement.” Finding ways to stay connected while remaining physically apart can be a challenge during this time of “stay home, stay safe.”
MACF recognizes the importance of supporting wellbeing efforts within our community. We build wellbeing as individuals, families, businesses and organizations experience a sense of belonging and connection to one another. The goal of the virtual nonprofit town hall meeting was to create a space to come together for self-reflection, dialogue and support. Ultimately, the town hall was designed to serve as a safe place for those in the nonprofit sector to connect with one another in this time of distancing.
Based on feedback that was shared with MACF, participants thought that the town hall served as a timely opportunity to connect and engage with their fellow community advocates. Recognizing that the current circumstances of COVID-19 have created personal and/or professional stress and uncertainty, it was reported that the ability to be in community with others during the town hall meeting resulted in feeling valued, renewed and energized.
Sharon Mortensen, MACF President and CEO, shared the responses to a Harris Poll question which asked, “what makes a hero.”
- 75% Doing what’s right regardless of the personal consequences
- 68% Willingness to risk personal safety to help others
- 65% Not giving up until the goal is accomplished
- 64% Staying level-headed in a crisis
- 64% Doing more than what others expect of them
- 63% Changing society for the better
Your Community Foundation feels such gratitude to be a part of a community where heroes among us work diligently to support people and to ensure that Midland is a place where everyone can thrive. Those working for nonprofits are certainly among our community heroes. The town hall provided a place of connection for nonprofits serving our community.
If you are part of a nonprofit organization and would like to join the next town hall meeting, please contact Alysia Christy, Director of Community Impact, at achristy@midlandfoundation.org or 989-839-9661.
