What Is The Montana Nonprofit Assocation?

We began the meeting this morning with Susan Anderson leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The invocation was given by Kate Cotnoir, who asked that we be reminded to give thanks for divine imagination as we are truly blessed as unique and individual.

Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick announced that there were no guests this week, and he then shared some examples of how to fail a test with dignity.  One example:  Question-"Explain why phosphorus tricholride is polar."  Answer-"Because God made it that way."

President Susan Hay Cramer announced that last Friday's Who's Who Revue was a tremendous success and thanked Chris Warden (who was not at the meeting-perhaps he was meeting with his agent?), Greg Johnson, Anne Guest, Julie McFarland, Bobby Clay, and all others who helped to make the event such a great success.  Greg and Anne also thanked everyone, and Anne thanked Susan in particular for her great speech about Rotary following the intermission.

Susan Cramer announced that the Saturday event with the Youth Homes (the Pumpkin Fest) was a lot of fun and thanked everyone who participated.  Ramey Kodadek reported that the kids "had a blast!"

Susan Cramer thanked Bill St. John and Carl Prinzing for attending the District Assembly in Great Falls this past weekend.  Bill reported that it was very fun.  Bill said Friday's program focused on the youth exchange program, and that each club needs a youth exchange officer.  Saturday's program focused on membership, and concluded with Carl Prinzing discussing Polio Plus.  Bill also said that DGE Dave Kinsey has learned that the RI President Elect is coming to Montana in 2010-stay tuned. Thank you to both Bill and Carl for their enthusiastic participation!

Susan Cramer announced that the District is working on a cookbook project-we are asked to submit recipes and buy the cookbooks.  See Susan for more details.

Anne Guest announced that ideas are needed for potential recipients for the next Money Train.  Please submit your ideas-the application is found on our website.  And, Anne also encouraged all to go see South Pacific at MCT-with a great performance by Julie McFarland!

Jim Clark announced that the dictionary project is in full swing.  Gene Sterbis reported that deliveries were made to Franklin School on Tuesday.  Deliveries to Cold Springs School will be made today, and to Charlo on Friday.  Thanks to all who are participating!

COOKIES:  Susan Cramer had cookies this week for Greg Johnson, Anne Guest, Julie McFarland and Bobby Clay for their work on the Who's Who Revue; for Susan Anderson and Justin Metcalf, both celebrating birthdays on Halloween; for Glenn Marangelo and Ellie Hill, both celebrating 4 years with Sunrise Rotary this week; for Derek Smith (garage band drummer extraordinaire!), celebrating his 1-year anniversary with Sunrise Rotary this week; and to David Bardwick, for updating, cleaning out and rearranging the badge box.

Those sharing stories and adding to the MSR cookie jar:  Jim Clark, who said he's been hunting with his son and grandsons.  The youngest (10 years) had a great shot at a jackrabbit (though he missed), and the eldest (almost 14 years) got his first antelope.  Adele Gibbs, who thanked the brain trust responsible for including the Hooters Girls in the Who's Who Revue (two very happy boys and husband!) and to Kara McCarthy and Chris Warden, the Who's Who Comedy Team.  Adele's youngest (10-year-old Westin) thought the comedy team was top notch and continues to say, "Man, they were good!"

Susan Cramer then introduced our speaker, Brian Magee, founder and Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association.  Brian holds a BA from Notre Dame and an MBA from Northwestern.  Susan said that the Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA) is a great organization that helps nonprofits across Montana do their jobs better.  And, Susan said Brian is one of the finest executives she knows.

Brian Magee first thanked us for the opportunity to speak to us, and said we are the fifth Rotary club he's spoken to in the last 18 months.  He said Rotary is his favorite group to speak to, and thanked us all for our support of nonprofits.  Brian said that MNA works to promote a strong nonprofit sector in Montana and its mission is simply to build strong nonprofits.  Brian started MNA in 2001.

Brian explained that there are five focus areas for MNA:  public policy; discounted products and services; organizational development; network building; and research and information.  In the public policy arena, MNA monitors and takes action on sector-wide issues, like healthcare (which certainly impacts nonprofits).  He said MNA's public policy work "runs the gamut and builds a collective voice."

MNA's buying power results in discounted products and services to MNA members, including insurance, office supplies, background checks, communications, unemployment insurance, etc.  Brian explained that MNA also helps organizations manage and be more efficient, particularly through its "Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence."  MNA provides technical assistance and training calls to its members, as well as annual meetings and self-help resources (online, etc.).

Brian explained that MNA focuses on network building by partnering with all organizations, including the National Council of Nonprofits.  This networking allows the connection of nonprofit leaders with business leaders.  MNA also helps with research and information with a focus on helping the understanding and awareness of nonprofits with the general public.

Brian said MNA has 560+ charitable nonprofit members, with nearly 40% of those coming from outside the seven population centers in Montana.  MNA members have budgets totaling $523 million and annual payroll of $227 million.  Brian said there are 10,000+ tax exempt organizations in Montana, with 6,127 of those charitable nonprofits.  He said their wage base is $1.1 billion, and third in Montana, behind just local governments and retail trade.

In Missoula, Brian said there are 592 charitable nonprofits with 6,188 employees and paying out $1.9 million in wages annually.  Brian said that nonprofits have a huge impact:  economic (employees, taxes, wages); quality of life in our communities (basic needs, education, environment, arts & culture, recreation, etc.); and nonprofits help us to have a civil society (one in which we ask the questions "what should our society look like" and "what do we value").

Brian closed by telling us that communities are the lifeblood of nonprofits.

Following this informative presentation, we closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test and a reminder from Susan that the future of Rotary is in our hands.