Northern New York's Premier Business Monthly
Bob Gorman
In September 1976 my brother, Jim, was shooting baskets with fellow members of the Morgan State University basketball team. It was “open gym” so other students were nearby shooting baskets as well.
No big deal, except for one minor detail: Jim had just shown up on campus as the first white player to receive a basketball scholarship to Baltimore’s “historically black” Morgan State. [Read more…]
Rande Richardson
We know the nonprofit sector’s impact has been consistently diverse, positively affecting education, human services, the arts and culture, religion, philanthropy, health and economic development. The Northern New York Community Foundation is increasingly looking to diversify how it supports the work of nonprofit organizations in our community. The nonprofit shared services collaboration floor within the future home of the philanthropy center is one immediate and tangible way we can do that. [Read more…]
Bob Gorman
In the 1960s a colleague once made this observation about then-Congressman Gerald Ford: If Ford were sitting on a park bench eating his lunch and saw a hungry kid sitting next to him, he would hand over his sandwich without giving the matter a second thought. Ford, the colleague contended, would then return to the halls of Congress and — without a second thought — vote against funding for the national public school lunch program. [Read more…]
Rande Richardson
In the most recent issue of NNY Living magazine (Spring 2016), Norah Machia, who has long written about the work of the region’s nonprofit organizations, presented inspiring examples of the next generation making a real difference. If you accept the premise that vibrant communities need things that government can’t, won’t or shouldn’t provide and that the private sector has not found a way to make profitable, then you also believe that our charitable sector needs passionate supporters of all ages and backgrounds who are willing to give time, talent and treasure. [Read more…]
Editor’s note: The following information was presented March 3 during the Business of the Year Awards given by the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce. The United Way of Northern New York was named the Small Nonprofit of the Year at the event.
Bob Gorman
Every day the Watertown Daily Times prints the names of people charged with driving under the influence. It’s easy to dismiss the names as representing the dregs of society.
But if you are in management around here long enough, one day one of those names will belong to one of your employees, a person who is crucial to the success of your business. [Read more…]
Max DelSignore
The question made Harrison Fish pause for a few moments.
“What are your thoughts on being a community leader as a high school student?”
As a senior at South Jefferson Central School, Mr. Fish has served in a variety of extracurricular clubs. Community service is a likely requirement for his participation. His perspective has changed slightly in recent months though, as he and his classmates engage in the “LEAD Your School Challenge.” [Read more…]
Bob Gorman
In her office at Pivot, Anita Seefried-Brown has created a collage with the faces of bright and promising young adults, all now dead from heroin and other opiate overdoses. One of the photos is of her late son, Herbie. [Read more…]
-“Those who invest in our treasures are what’s right with Watertown. Make it your resolution to be a part of what’s right with Watertown.” — Mark Walczyk, newly elected Watertown city councilman
It is common at this time of year to look back and dream forward. During the New Year’s Day swearing-in ceremonies at Watertown’s Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library, one didn’t have to listen too hard to find a theme emerge — hope and optimism for a greater community. Those assembled were gathered in a building that itself serves as a living example of civic pride, love of community, respect for heritage and giving back. It is hard to be in that space and not sense the importance of thoughtful stewardship. The best way we honor those who have led before us is by ensuring that this generation and the next recognizes the great responsibility, privilege, honor and joy of being a trustee. We honor yesterday by advancing tomorrow. [Read more…]
Columnist Bob Gorman
When anyone discusses the north country economy, the usual suspects are Fort Drum, agriculture and tourism. But “nonprofits” should always be part of the conversation.
More than six years ago, the Watertown Daily Times studied the financial impact of nonprofits on the north county and published this: [Read more…]
“I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will
not refuse to do the something that I can do.” — Helen Keller
Don’t let the word “philanthropy” scare you. Don’t for a second believe that the experience of philanthropy only belongs to someone else. The word comes from the Greek meaning “love of humankind.” That’s the only requirement. Simple. [Read more…]