Board Chair's Report on FY23 Accomplishments
Hello Allies
As your Board Chair, I am honored to share with Together SC's members a brief recap of the highlights from the 2023 Fiscal Year.
Our virtual Member Meeting in May was so packed with information we felt it was important to recap this year's accomplishments.
So, please consider this your "Annual Report"
Last July, as I began my service as chair, I set three personal goals aligned with our Strategic Plan
- Strengthen and Grow the Peer Networks
- Promote Maximization of Membership Benefits
- Examine Together SC's Governance Structure
We made great progress on all three areas and more.
Governance: We needed to ensure that Together SC's governance structure supported the work before us and reflected the diversity of the nonprofit sector.
A big shout out to Erika Kirby, Chair, and the entire Governance Committee for their great work in developing a multi-year recruitment plan. that supports and models intentional succession planning for board leadership.
The racial diversity of our Board and professional team continues to set an example for the sector.
Peer Networks: To all who are supporting and building our Peer Networks, thank you for your investment in helping others. I'm very excited about our focus on helping you build your networks (through new Listservs and more) in the coming year.
A warm welcome to Peer Network Leadership Team chairs and members, old and new, who will be leading these efforts this year. It’s important that I support your efforts and the growth of our Peer Networks. I can't wait to see what you accomplish this year.
Benefits: I am thrilled that so many more nonprofit member organizations are fully utilizing their member benefits, especially the new Association Healthcare Plan (AHP). We now cover 250+ lives through the 18 nonprofits already participating. The Duke Endowment made a three-year investment to help us stand up the program. (BTW, my own organization's savings has been significant, much more than our member dues).
The Compensation & Benefits Report released last fall was our first since 2012 and provided critical data needed to help members recruit and retain qualified workforce. We will continue our compensation and benefits research in partnership with two great organizations. Here's what's planned.
We also launched three new member benefits - an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ancillary insurance coverage, and retirement plan options this past year. So, be sure to review your benefits.
Summit: The March 2023 Nonprofit Summit, Transforming SC, held in downtown Columbia sold out with our largest attendance ever. We engaged corporate and governmental allies in a meaningful way for the first time, and efforts to incorporate public policy work exceeded expectations. The Legislature’s proclamation, attendees’ visits to the statehouse and the legislative reception were so successful that it has been proposed we host a stand-alone advocacy day in March 2024 and incorporate advocacy in the 2025 Summit when we return to Columbia.
Learning Cohorts: Duke Energy and Together SC joined forces to invest in eight “up and coming” community-focused nonprofits critical to our state - Powered Up. A second cohort will soon be announced. What's more, we graduated our largest Carolina Leadership Seminars cohort since we launched this program for new execs in 2016.
Advocacy: Finally, while we did not obtain funding for SC’s nonprofits, we greatly increased our engagement with key legislators. We are building relationships to support our long-term advocacy work and implementation of our current Advocacy Agenda.
That's it. Now, I'm really interesting in hearing which of Together SC's services provided benefit for your organization, as well as your thoughts on future efforts.
We are all stronger when we work together; so please engage with anyone on the Board or staff.
We are listening.
I am honored to chair such a terrific board, work with the amazing Together SC team, and look forward to another exciting year serving you.
Thank you for the role you've played in building our network.
Your Ally for Good,
Paige Stephenson
Together SC Board Chair
President and CEO, United Way of the Piedmont
PS - We've already scheduled our Virtual Member Meeting for 2024! Please save May 15, 2024 at 8:00 am.