Sustainability and Fund Development Workshop Review

A collection of almost 40 organizations, business owners, public officials and community members gathered together Wednesday, January 14, 2009 for a special workshop on Sustainability and Fund Development with world renowned speaker Frank Lopez. This training session was coordinated by The Marshall County Family Resource Network after seeing a growing need in the community for ways to find alternative methods of producing revenue. Mr. Lopez is one of the preeminent speakers in this country and his expertise is sought after by thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations from coast to coast.


During the session, Mr. Lopez used various forms of visual aid to help answer questions raised by those in attendance. Questions like “What types of fundraisers are productive?”, “How do we define our organizations true Mission and Vision Statements?”, and “What can my organization do to generate more unrestricted dollars?” were a few of the topics discussed. Participants could easily relate to the countless organizations that find themselves struggling to stay afloat with changes in the economy and grants and government assistance providing only a small sense of relief. The Sustainability and Fund Development Workshop helped address those concerns by offering ideas and techniques that have worked for those in similar situations.

For more information on Frank Lopez and his organization, log on to http://www.nonprofitec.org/ and for additional information on the Marshall County Family Resource Network, visit http://www.marshallcountyfrn.com/.

Winter Carnival Review

The Marshall County Family Resource Network would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in our 2008 Winter Carnival. The conditions were a bit “Wintry”, but that didn’t stop over 1500 attendees from traversing 3 city blocks while enjoying all the different activities and concessions along the way. Adults and Children of all ages had a chance to jump high in the air with our crazy bungee jump ride, rock out with Gamerz Paradise in the Rock Band tent, pet the silly Alpacas on Alpaca Avenue, participate in BW3’s Wild Wing Eating Contest and even join in on the very first “Moundsville Idol”. And when it might have become a little too cold out on the street, most found their way into the many Jefferson Avenue Stores that supported the Winter Carnival by staying open later than usual. These merchants held incredible holiday sales and special giveaways that kept people busy when needing a break from the outdoors.

To say that we are pleased with this year’s Winter Carnival is quite an understatement but here is where we need you to help with next year’s event. If you or anyone you know visited the Carnival and has any input on what we can do to make it better, please post a comment on this page or send an e-mail to frnoutreach@comcast.net. We want to hear any opinions/suggestions you may have, even if they are small in detail. This is an opportunity for us to learn from this event and obtain whatever information so that we can to continue to see the Winter Carnival grow and become a yearly occurence that everyone in Marshall County can be proud of. We already have our own internal list of activities and various things that we would like to see for the 2009 edition and would love to see what we can do with a full year of preparation. Without the support of local businesses, sponsors, volunteers and you, events like the Winter Carnival could never take place. It is your passion to see positive community activities that drives us at the Marshall County FRN to do whatever we can to coordinate the very best family friendly events this area has to offer. The one thing that we know we need more of in today’s world is something that an entire family can enjoy together and that’s why we feel the Winter Carnival can and will continue to be such a tremendous success.

We hope that you will share your input with us and help the Marshall County Winter Carnival evolve and see its true potential. Thanks again to all of those who made this year’s event so special and we look forward to working with you throughout the year. Take care and have a wonderful New Year!

Sincerely,
The Marshall County Family Resource Network