2009-2010 Annual Report

Quality Place Means a Strong Network of Organizations Impacting All Aspects of the Region’s Health and Economy

A tale of statistics aptly relates the soaring achievements of NorthSky, the nonprofit management support program of Rotary Charities, created to assist Northern Michigan nonprofits in strengthening their capabilities through capacity building and sustainability support.

But the real grass-roots story of its meteoric success lies in a folder in Debbie McKeon’s office.

It’s there in Executive Director McKeon’s desk where a folder-full of testimonials resides. They’re from regional nonprofits, acknowledging the organization for diverse sets of helping hands offering a wide range of professional services.

“We’re very proud of NorthSky’s achievements, and the professional development and technical assistance we’ve been able to offer the nonprofit community,” notes McKeon.

”And we’re also pleased with the credentials and quality of our consulting staff. The performance reports we’ve received from clients indicate our consultants are meeting the clients’ needs in a timely fashion, and in many cases far exceeding expectations. Personal notes of thanks mention NorthSky’s role in transforming their organization, changing their way of thinking and helping them build strong organizations.”

The effect of nonprofits on the region’s economy is well-documented on the NorthSky website. With one in every ten workers in the ten-county region employed by the nonprofit sector, some 15,000 jobs are represented.

This accounted for $102,492,000 in payroll for the third quarter of 2006, according to the most recent data available.

Some of its accomplishments in 2009-10:

• Drafted the business plan for Goodwill Industries’ Food Rescue program
• Facilitated development of the operational agreement between the City Opera House in Traverse City, and its management company, Michigan State University’s Wharton Center
• Provided strategic planning for Traverse City’s Community Management Living Center

These are just some of its clients, notes McKeon, while describing one of its showcase projects – the 55-acre Historic Barns Park on the site of the former state hospital grounds, under the ownership and management of the Traverse City/Garfield Township Recreational Authority.

In 2004, city and township voters strongly backed an operational millage, and the Recreational Authority was established. There followed a public input process that produced four themes for the park: arts, culture, community and recreation. Three regional nonprofits were identified to fulfill those themes: Botanical Garden Society, Little Artshram and SEEDS.

NorthSky was engaged to work with the Recreational Authority and also structure the memo of understanding for the nonprofits occupying publicly owned park land. “This was a unique partnership,” notes Benjamin Marentette, the Authority’s executive director and deputy city clerk. “NorthSky’s Debbie McKeon brokered the arrangement, brought the three nonprofits together, and facilitated a dynamic and respectful framework that gave everyone an equal voice.”

Presently, said Marentette, the authority is working with NorthSky to develop a business plan and market study for the overall operation of the property’s Cathedral and Historic Barns. Its future includes a year-round farmers’ market with a food and sustainable living focus. A collaborative multi-year capital campaign to restore the Cathedral Barn, create Botanical Gardens and continue to develop the property in accordance with public vision is also in the works.

The three nonprofits occupying the Historic Barns Park echo Director Marentette’s comments about NorthSky services.

Karen Schmidt, Botanical Garden Society chair, notes that her board completed NorthSky’s organizational capacity building process, leaving the organization stronger and more sustainable. Attendance at various workshops has been educative for the society, as well as NorthSky’s online resource center.

Penny Krebiehl of Little Artshram and Sarna Salzman of SEEDS affirm NorthSky’s facilitation of the park’s memo of understanding, and NorthSky Director McKeon’s efforts at consensus-building, master site plan and long-term vision.

But an anecdote shared by Karen Schmidt likely best describes the role NorthSky played in the Historical Barns Park project:

“I have a wonderful friend from Kenya who told me recently that the thing he always admired the most about America is the way our country provides assistance to Kenya,” remarks Schmidt. “He says, ‘They could just send money, but instead they send gifted teachers who train my people how to be better businessmen, better farmers and more successful citizens. We become wiser and more independent.’ That’s what NorthSky does for nonprofits. It makes our boards and our organizations stronger, wiser and more likely to succeed.”