A healthy membership organization is one that is open and ready to shift it’s thinking on how to best serve its members. Trends, technology, community needs, and new leadership is a constant change for our sector, and often pushes us in our thinking so we plan ahead, anticipate what’s needed, and move forward full steam ahead.
Summer of 2019 at MCF will be marked in history as a time of major organizational change. While I have been meeting with members throughout the state to understand what they need from their membership organization, our small staff really rolled up their sleeves and did the hard work to refresh the organization from the inside. We’re energized by the work, and excited about our new potential.
Most importantly, we redesigned our staffing model and the most noticeable shift is that our members are at the center of the organization. We have recently welcomed two new staff members whose jobs are all about you—MCF members. They include: Paul Masiarchin, Director of Member Services; and Kristen Cullen, Member Engagement Manager. We also made some shifts within our existing staff—namely, increasing our capacity in public policy, our diversity, equity and inclusion, and with housing more research to serve members. You can learn more about all of our staff on the MCF website with refreshed bios.
Also, we have been building new opportunities for member engagement into our work. We developed a small editorial committee of members to guide us on this magazine. We solicited member proposals for sessions at the MCF annual conference (February 13-14, 2020—please save the date!). We engaged members in designing the next phase of our diversity, equity and inclusion work. These opportunities, and many more to come, represent the best of what this membership organization can be—a community built by and for Minnesota’s philanthropic institutions. As staff, we are here as your partners in building valuable member experiences that enhance your work, and lead us all toward advancing equity and prosperity.
In a time of noticeable shifts here at MCF and throughout the philanthropic sector, I would love to hear about your needs, your ideas for MCF, and your member experience. Please be in touch anytime!
Best regards,
Susie Brown