State of the Nonprofits

Story telling is part of the makeup of nonprofits. As we engage with donors, funders and community members, nonprofit leaders must become master storytellers to help build connection with our missions. In this episode of State of the Nonprofits, we're visiting with a master storyteller, Adam Reed, who is part of Filmhunter Media.   In this episode:

Permian Basin Gives returns on May 21, 2024! We want to help you make the most of it! In this special episode of MSS State of the Nonprofits, host Autumn Vest welcomes Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin executive director, Laurie Johnson, for a quick walk through of how participating nonprofits can have a successful giving day.  

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The philanthropic spirit in West Texas is one of the most unique aspects of our region. Both individual and corporate partnerships make our nonprofits stronger and enhance their ability to make real change in the lives of our clients. Today, we welcome Jay Whitlow to the State of the Nonprofits. Jay is a part of the team at Performance Chemical Company, where they are taking corporate partnerships to a whole new level.  

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State of the Nonprofits host and MSS Executive Director, Autumn Vest, welcomes Thaddeus Squire, Chief Commons Steward at Social Impact Commons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thaddues recently traveled to Midland to join us as the keynote speaker for the a luncheon celebrating the 10th Anniversary of MSS. One of his many areas of expertise lies in shared resources or commoning. This episode explores the power and impact of commoning.  

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Thaddeus has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit management field, focusing on arts and cultural heritage. Following government relations work for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, he went on to found Peregrine Arts, a multi-arts producer, and Hidden City Philadelphia, among other curatorial projects. His significant work in nonprofit resource sharing began in 2010 as founder of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, the first comprehensive fiscal sponsor focusing on arts and heritage, which manages more than 120 independent organizations. Thaddeus’s creative practice is focused on systems design for nonprofit resource sharing, in particular practices based in commoning and commons management principles. His work is grounded in the fields of American Pragmatism, Common Pool Resource Economics, Cooperative Management, New Localism and the Applied Behavioral Sciences. Additionally, he has deep expertise in the history of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, nonprofit management, fine and performing arts, heritage preservation, and museum sciences. Thaddeus holds degrees from Princeton University, the University of Leipzig (J. William Fulbright Fellowship), and the Mendelssohn Conservatory of Music & Theatre.  

Each season of State of the Nonprofits, we like to take an episode to focus on self-care and avoiding burnout. In this episode, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Area Director, Dustin Pearce, shares what works for him and how he came to develop a daily seven step routine to keep him focused and ready for whatever the day brings.

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Volunteer recruitment is one of the greatest challenges facing many nonprofits, but one agency is working to provide relief by recruiting a very specific community of volunteers. In this episdoe, MSS Executive Director and Host, Autumn Vest, is joined by Saul Herrera, Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Senior Life Midland.   

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MSS is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2024! To celebrate, we're kicking off Season 3 of State of the Nonprofits with a look back at how MSS began and where the first 10 years have led the organization. Joining MSS Executive Director and Host, Autumn Vest, is Vicki Jay, former executive director and a founding member of the committee that formed Midland Shared Spaces.  

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In this episode, MSS Executive Director and Host, Autumn Vest, welcomes Tim Jebsen, executive director, and Hannah Allee, Marketing Director, for the Midland Community Theatre. Hear the MCT perspective on volunteering, collaborating and planning for the future. AND get excited for the 2024 opening musical - OH MY!

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It's Cybersecurity Awareness month! Technology is a core aspect of the services that MSS provides, so of course we're dedicating this episode to our very own MSS IT Services Department and welcoming IT Director, Gary Hires, back to State of the Nonprofits. In this episode, you can expect a bit of Cyber Security 101. What nonprofits need to know and how you can be prepared for an attack.  

When we talk about partnerships in education, our minds often go directly to working with our local school district to support student success. But we may be overlooking opportunities to create community impact through partnership in higher education. Midland College's new president, Dr. Damon Kennedy, is ready to join forces with nonprofits to create impact in our community. In this episode, MSS Executive Director Autumn Vest is joined by Dr. Kennedy to explore his vision for Midland College.  

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In recent years, we've seen a surge of people and groups coming together to create impact in our communities. One such group is the Permian Strategic Partnership, a coalition of leading Permian Basin energy companies who joined together to work in partnership with leaders across the region’s communities to address current and future challenges to the responsible development of the vast oil and natural gas resources of the Permian Basin. The Partnership seeks to improve the quality of place for Permian Basin families by partnering with local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans to foster superior education, accessible housing, a supportive healthcare system, safer roads, and workforce development. This episode features a conversation with is PSP President and CEO, Tracee Bentley. 

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Autumn Vest, MSS ED, and Bailee Hennis, RLWT ED, join forces to co-host this episode of State of the Nonprofits. Autumn and Bailee visit with Catherine Ashton, Founder and CEO of The Giant Squid Group. This conversation dives into thinking beyond the box when it comes to staffing and building your nonprofit team. Through meeting team members' individual needs and understanding their experiences, your agency can find creative ways to grow and succeed.  

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No matter the reason an executive director or CEO leaves a nonprofit, planning for future leadership is not something many organizations do very well.  The best thing we can do for our missions, is to plan ahead and be prepared for the future. In this episode, two guests to chat with me about how Midland Children's Rehabilitation Center (or MCRC) faced succession planning. Our host MSS Executive Director Autumn Vest is joined by Brooke Mueller who retired in 2020 as executive director of MCRC after 19 years in the role, and Kristal Kidd, the current executive Director of MCRC. 

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If you have worked in nonprofits in Midland-Odessa, you've likely met this episodes' guest along the way. Joining MSS Executive Director and Host, Autumn Vest in the Recording Library of West Texas Studio is Kay Crites, the soon to be retired executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Permian Basin.

Our nonprofit community is robust and serving youth in Midland is the focus of a great many nonprofits. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Howard, the new superintendent of Midland Independent School District explores her vision of how nonprofits can partner with the district for student success.  

MSS is hosting a FREE Midland Nonprofit Celebration and Social event on Wednesday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This episode is all about the who, what, when, where and why! Host Autumn Vest is joined by MSS staff members Gary Hires and Marc Kondrup.  

This episode of state of the nonprofits discusses sensitive issues that may be a trigger for some of our listeners. Our conversation focuses on emergency preparedness particularly for active shooter events. Please listen with caution.  

How can nonprofits best prepare for emergencies like active shooter events? Eric Harrell of the Midland Fire Department joins MSS in the studio to share some guidance on preparing for the worst. Learn about training such as Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events and Stop the Bleed and discover resources to ensure your agency is prepared.  

It's award season in the Permian Basin! Nominations are now open for the 2023 Beacon Awards. In this episode, Laurie Johnson, executive director of the Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin, shares the details of the awards. Learn more about the categories and nomination process.    

Funders across West Texas and South Eastern New Mexico recently gathered for the first “Permian Basin Area Funders Network.” Private and community foundations joined with corporate funders to discuss the greatest issues facing our region and to share ideas across county and state lines. Mark Palmer, CEO of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, joins our host, Autumn Vest, in studio to share why this convening was so important and the possible outcomes of bringing the community leaders together.

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For decades, nonprofits have relied upon volunteers to deliver services and achieve missions. The last few years volunteer recruitment has become increasingly difficult. In the 2022 State of the Nonprofits survey, we learned that recruiting and retaining volunteers is one of the greatest challenges facing our nonprofits. In this episode we sit down with Mikey Jacquez, program coordinator for SHARE, and Bailee Hennis, executive director of Recording Library of West Texas to discuss recruiting and retaining volunteers in 2023.

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Across West Texas, nonprofits are seeing a rise in the needs of their communities. With the lingering impacts of COVID and ongoing economic challenges, nonprofits are working to overcome a variety of obstacles in order to provide necessary services with excellence to the people of our region. In this episode, our host Autumn Vest is joined by Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Foodbank to discuss the challenges and rising needs of across West Texas.

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Collaboration may seem like a bit of a buzzword these days, but in reality, it can redefine the way in which nonprofits can effectively deliver goals in exciting and unprecedented ways. In this episode we're joined by Laura Wolf of Basin PBS and Rachel Ritter of Midland Festival Ballet. These two executive directors have figured out The Power of Collaboration!

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In this episode, meet the newest member of the Abell-Hanger Foundation, Julia Vickery. Julia sits down with us to discuss the launch of the Leadership Acceleration Program, an effort to strengthen nonprofit leaders in our community.

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The final episode of season 1 of the State of the Nonprofits looks ahead to 2023. It's time to start planning for the 2023 Permian Basin Gives Event coming on February 21! Registration is now open! In this episode, hear from Leslie Uchytil, the event coordinator.
We're also talking about the State of the Nonprofits Study, now open for all nonprofits in West Texas. 

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Nonprofits use programming to deliver services into our community and to spread the message of their mission. There are some truly innovative and exciting programs happening right here in West Texas. Sometimes the biggest challenge is in bringing people to your program. In this episode, our host is joined by Randy Ham, Executive Director of Odessa Arts, to talk about how he's working to engage their community in art!

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In this episode, our host and MSS Executive Director, Autumn Vest, is joined by the incomparable Sue Roseberry. Mama Sue, as she is often called, is master storyteller and presenter and also the Executive Director of the Midland Storytelling Festival. Join the conversation with Sue as she presents a different perspective on embracing diversity and being more inclusive. 

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Nonprofits use storytelling to build relationships with a variety of audiences. In this episode, Ryan McGuire, founder of Armic Systems, helps us understand how nonprofits can maximize social media to tell the story and get the message out.

Have you ever been interested in working in nonprofits or moving into a fundraising role? There is support for that from the Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin (NMC). In this episode, Erika Chavez with NMC joins our host Autumn Vest and fund academy graduate, Catrina Spears, Director of Marketing and Development for Spectrum of Solutions, to discuss the Nonprofit Management Center's newest program, Fund Academy.

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Fundraising is a fundamental and ever changing part of nonprofit life. In the Permian Basin, we have access to a network of fundraising professionals through the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). In this episode, hear from the 2022 AFP Permian Basin President, Melanie Saiz, and learn more about our local chapter and fundraising strategies.

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Nonprofits have the unique opportunity to not only serve community, but to build community among clients, volunteers, staff and beyond. In this episode, our host, MSS Executive Director, Autumn Vest, explores the role of nonprofits in connectedness and belonging with Becky Spurlock, Ph.D, Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Texas Permian Basin. Join the conversation on how nonprofits can fuel connection. 

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IT is an integral part of the mission at MSS where we work to enhance nonprofit efficiency. In this episode, Autumn Vest, host and MSS Executive Director, sits down with Gary Hires, MSS IT Director, to remove some of the mystery of technology. Discover resources to access IT support and software at discounted costs and start planning for the future. 

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Collective giving is a growing movement in West Texas, groups of people coming together to pool their dollars for greater impact. But in the case of 100 Men Who Give a Damn, it's so much more than just dollars. It's about creating connections and helping nonprofits share their stories. Join the conversation with the founder of 100 Men Who Give a Damn Midland, Jeff Hughes.

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This is Part 2 of Taking the Blinders Off, a conversation with new collective impact agency, The Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin. Part 1 was released on June 23 and is available wherever you listen. 

The Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin is a new collective impact agency founded to address adult and family literacy throughout our region. This is episode one of a two-part conversation with executive director, John Trischitti. Join us for a dive into the results of the 2022 Adult Literacy Needs Assessment and find out why adult and family literacy is such a critical issue for West Texas.

The Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin is a new collective impact agency founded to address adult and family literacy throughout our region. This is episode one of a two-part conversation with executive director, John Trischitti. Join us for a dive into the results of the 2022 Adult Literacy Needs Assessment and find out why adult and family literacy is such a critical issue for West Texas. 

The Family Resiliency Center of the Permian Basin was designed to be a place of support for those were directly and indirectly impacted by the tragedy of the August 31, 2019 Odessa and Midland mass shooting event.  In this episode, join the conversation with the center coordinator, Chandra Coleman as we explore the resources available to community organizations and individuals. 

When community members are asked to name a nonprofit, they so often first think of the nonprofits providing emergency or trauma response services. Many nonprofits are stepping in to some of the worst times in a persons life to support them and love them through it. And the people providing that service are just that... people. They are standing on the front lines baring witness to the trauma. In honor of mental health awareness month, we are sitting down with Kristi Edwards, CEO of Centers for Children and Families, to discuss the impact of this work on the nonprofit staff member.

Volunteerism is a HOT topic in nonprofit work. Being a volunteer, recruiting volunteers, or retaining volunteers. It isn't easy, but as nonprofits, volunteers are such a critical piece of our ability to create impact and change in our community. In this episode we sit down with Leslie Rodriguez the Director of Operations for Reflections Ministries. At Reflections Ministries, volunteers are Part of the Family! 

One of the most fascinating relationships in any nonprofit is the that of the board of directors and staff. Thomas Elrod serves as both Executive Director of Agape Counseling Services of West Texas and Board President of the Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale. Thomas presents a unique perspective on the dance of the executive director and board of directors.

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Building awareness is one of the biggest challenges nonprofits face. How do you get community attention and connect with volunteers and donors in a meaningful way? Kay Crites, executive director at Big Brother Big Sisters of the Permian Basin, is trying something outside the box. So, what is the Big Dill?

Giving days are designed for individual donors who may feel that the amount they could donate would be too small to have an impact. However, there is power in numbers! Permian Basin Gives provides nonprofits an opportunity to encourage individual donors to make a bigger impact by giving at the same time. This episode of State of the Nonprofits features a conversation with Laurie Johnson, executive director of the Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin (NMC). Laurie gives insight on how our region's nonprofits can make the most of this year's Permian Basin Giving Day, Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

There is no nonprofit organization untouched by the COVID-19 Pandemic, and after two years, many are changed forever... some for the better. Join us as we visit with Baliee Hennis, executive director of the Recording Library of West Texas, and learn how this nonprofit discovered a silver lining that has redefined their organization for the future.