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Welcome to the latest issue of Confluence, Melby, Cameron & Anderson's newsletter celebrating what associations do best: bringing together people and ideas to create opportunities, solutions, and engaged communities of like-minded people. In this issue, we'll focus on social responsibility efforts -- large and small, near and far. They all make a difference. |
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Creating a Better World
Melby. Cameron & Anderson is proud to be a pioneer signatory to the Global Principles for Socially Responsible Associations and Nonprofits, promulgated by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The six voluntary principles cover responsible advocacy, environmental and economic sustainability, public protection (ethics, self-regulation and human rights), diversity, philanthropic/community services, and leadership. (For more information, visit www.asaecenter.org/srprinciples) John H. Graham IV, CEO & President, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership, notes that "The Global Principles provide a framework specific to our sector that is helping associations identify and strategically align their core competencies and missions with the business opportunities that arise from innovative global problem-solving." Further, Graham adds, "These Pioneer Signatories are committed to working toward a better world in ways that also benefit their organizations and members. We applaud their leadership." In signing the Global Principles, MCA expresses its belief that social responsibility makes smart business sense, especially in these challenging economic and social times. We are dedicated to engaging our staff, association clients, and stakeholders in our efforts to integrate sustainable practices and goals at all levels of our organization. It is our hope that some of the associations we work with will also individually sign these Principles. |
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MCA Client Efforts to Build a Better World
Many of MCA's client organizations are already quite active in community service projects and social responsibility initiatives. Here's a sampling of what some of our clients are doing:
For more than a decade, NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Washington Chapter, has coordinated an annual community service project. In September NAIOP's Community Enhancement project involved more than 350 volunteers rolling up their sleeves at Ryther Child Center, a 10-acre campus in Seattle that provides treatment and care for at-risk youth. In one day, the volunteers executed some 20 site-improvement projects, including a rope play area, an obstacle course, new trails around the center, fresh paint and numerous other efforts to revitalize the center.
 
NAIOP members hard at work at Ryther Child Center
In other service projects, NAIOP's Developing Leaders Group, which consists of members 35 years and younger, are participating monthly in a "Sandwich Brigade" for Northwest Harvest. Last month, Developing Leaders came together to feed the hungry in our community by making 1600 sandwiches in three hours.
The Alliance for Healthy Communities, foundation of the Home Care Association of Washington, is entering its fifth year of partnership grants with the Washington State Department of Health. The latest grant, in the amount of $95,000 continues funding of emergency preparedness efforts of home health, hospice, and home care providers. In recent years, the Alliance has used grant funds to help in-home service providers develop emergency plans, attend trainings and exercises (including pandemic influenza scenarios), and promote personal preparedness among staff members and their families. With grant monies, the Alliance has distributed scores of individual preparedness kits, each containing three days' worth of supplies, to agencies to give to their staff. Most recently, agencies received NOAA emergency alert radios, both electric and crank. The radios receive public alert signals for a variety of situations, including weather emergencies. Home health, hospice, and home care providers give vital services to some of Washington's most vulnerable citizens. Because the care is provided outside of traditional facilities, these agencies were often previously left out of emergency plans. With support from the grant, the Alliance, HCAW, and member agencies have made many connections across the State. Their unique position of providing services out in the community makes this group of providers a valuable resource during an emergency response.
The Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound (FPA) has for some time been sending volunteers into Puget Sound-area schools to teach financial literacy using the Junior Achievement Curriculum. In addition, FPA Puget Sound works regularly with The Seattle Times to provide Financial Planning Makeover articles, plus, FPA members annually staff the Financial Planning Hotline and participate in KCTS public television fundraising efforts.
MCA's newest client, Meeting Professionals International's Washington State Chapter, has a special Community Outreach effort that participates in Northwest Harvest's food drives throughout the year and also supports Treehouse, a program for foster children in Washington State. Academic success, combined with social and recreational enrichment, is the key to opportunity for children coping with the effects of abuse and neglect. Treehouse serves kids in foster care with six programs:
The Wearhouse is a free store where kids shop for clothing they need in styles they want, along with school supplies, toys, books, and other essentials.
Little Wishes pays for activities and experiences that every child deserves - things as small as hair care and as big as drivers' ed.
Summer Camp sends kids on adventures that create memories for a lifetime.
Tutoring helps bridge the educational achievement gap between foster kids and their classmates from more stable homes.
Educational Advocacy works statewide to protect students' educational rights and remove barriers to school success. This Treehouse program operates beyond King County.
College and Career Planning gives kids support as they follow their dreams for the future.
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MCA Internal
Social Responsibility Efforts
MCA Supports Local Student Artists: For the past eight years. Melby, Cameron & Anderson has been a prime sponsor of the Arts Council of Snohomish County's Scholastic Art Awards. This program gives several hundred students in the County's middle and high schools an opportunity to broaden their creative horizons while earning local and national recognition. The objective of the program is to foster the confidence of young artists and give them the opportunity to be recognized for their creative achievements by the world at large. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923, and have become the nation's largest and longest running program of its kind.
Cameron Bailey, a senior at Stanwood High School, won a 2009 Gold Key Award for this mixed media piece at the Scholastic Art Awards.
And we're proud to share with you a few of the tremendous activities and causes MCA staff are volunteering their time and energy toward:
Tammy Reniche, MCA's Director of Publications, volunteers for The Global Art Initiative, whose mission is to "raise the status of the disabled in Third World countries by selling the artwork of disabled artists who use their mouth and feet to paint and struggle to survive. The overall strategy is to bring honor to Third World countries through art and sports for the disabled." Currently, they are working to replace broken crutches with hand-painted, new, metal ones for people with polio. More information can be found at http://www.globalartinitiative.org/media/media.html
Wendi Lynagh, Executive Director of the Home Care Association of Washington and the Alliance for Healthy Communities, volunteers weekly in her sons' classrooms at the Maplewood Parent Co-op K-8 School in the Edmonds School District. She has volunteered at Maplewood since joining MCA; the Maplewood model of parents actively involved in school programs effectively supports the entire learning community.
Duane Braconnier, who serves as staff for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, frequently facilitates Shanti trainings which prepare new volunteers to compassionately listen and provide support for people with life-threatening illnesses. Duane has been volunteering with Shanti for 7 years. For more information, visit http://www.multifaith.org/Shanti/index.html.
Karen Keenan, who works with the Washington Library Association and the Washington State Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, volunteers for the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce as a Chair for the Taste of Edmonds.
Linda Denton, who works with the American Academy of Oral Medicine and Washington Association of Accountants, is a member of the Sno-King Community Chorale. Its most recent "Salute to America" concert honored service men and women-veterans and active military -- after which they filled holiday packages to send to the troops. Linda also supports Rotary International's efforts to raise funds for youth scholarships and the Burned Children's Foundation.
Donna Cameron, CAE, MCA President, is collaborating with other Harmony Hill volunteers to develop book in celebration of that facility's 25 years of offering free retreats for individuals, families, and caregivers who are undergoing the rigors of cancer treatment and care. For more information about Harmony Hill, visit www.HarmonyHill.org.
Lynn Melby, CAE, MCA Chairman, is serving as President of Good Shepherd Senior Housing, a nonprofit organization that is completing construction and about to begin the leasing on a 40-unit affordable senior housing facility in Lynnwood. Lynn led a visioning process for his church which resulted (5 years and lots of effort later) in completion of the project valued at nearly $10 million.
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In Other News....
MCA welcomes our newest client, the Washington State Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
We also welcome our newest team member, Kaylin Osborn, who recently joined us to work with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound.
Last, but not least by any means ... as we approach Thanksgiving, we want to express to you -- our clients and friends -- our gratitude for your presence in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact any one of us below, we'd love to hear from you! |
| Lynn Melby, CAE, IOM, Chairman, lynn@mcamgmt.com
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