Dear NMAG Membership,

On behalf of the New Mexico Association of Grantmakers (NMAG) Board of Directors, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

 

The purpose of this letter is to update you on the current status of NMAG, notify you of upcoming networking and professional development luncheons, and to introduce you to our new board members and 2011 – 2013 Board of Directors.

 

The NMAG Annual Membership meeting was held on November 9, 2011.  Out of 47 dues-paying member organizations, 30 individuals, which represents 64% of the total eligible voting membership, participated in person, by phone, or by proxy.  There was strong support from members that NMAG continue to provide core services as conceived by its founders 20 years ago. Thank you to Elizabeth Crittenden Palacios, Taos Community Foundation, immediate past board chair, for facilitating the discussion in which attendees determined the most pressing membership needs and the direction in which they would like to see NMAG move forward.

 

While a majority of the membership said that they wanted to see NMAG continue operations, during the facilitated discussion we clearly heard that the new board needs to work diligently to restore confidence in the members who are concerned about the turn of events that led to last year’s transition. NMAG Board members had made the difficult decision to close the office, suspend program activities and let staff go due to budget constraints. Grants to NMAG were also returned or reassigned to other organizations as directed by the respective funders. While the current board is committed to the organization’s mission and purpose (as outlined below), there was a consensus to focus efforts this year on infrastructure, capacity building, and core member services. We will also continue to maintain the website (www.nmag.org), post office box, and communication with members via email.

 

In addition, the NMAG Board of Directors (see list of individuals below) is committed to creating a sustainable business model and providing a space to fulfill membership needs as articulated during the annual membership meting.  Some of the essential needs of membership are:

 

To help facilitate member networking and professional development we have set up three NMAG luncheons in the coming months.  We will be sending out invitations for these luncheons shortly.

 

Election of board members and officers took place at the Membership Meeting. There are currently eight board members (3 continuing to serve year two of their 2-year terms; 3 reelected to new 2-year terms; and 2 new board members). We are also interested in recruiting at least one new board member from southern New Mexico or other underrepresented areas (e.g. community foundations, corporate foundations). Please contact Dolores Roybal, Board Chair, if you would like more information.

 

 NMAG MISSION

1)    Increase the effectiveness and impact of organized philanthropy throughout NM;

2)    Educate the general public and grantmaking community about the charitable sector;

3)    Provide a forum for sharing ideas, resources and information between the general public and New Mexico’s funding and nonprofit communities;

4)    Encourage, improve and increase philanthropy by providing members and the public with opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and exchange of ideas;

5)    Disseminate of new information of concern to funders and nonprofit organizations; and

6)    Present programs designed to help member better understand society’s needs, promote increased understanding of the role of philanthropy, and enhance professional skills.

 

1. Linda Anderson, Domanica Foundation, (continuing)

lindatanderson@domanicafoundation.org; (505) 718-9228

 

2. Laurie Betlach, SECRETARY, Lannan Foundation (continuing)

LaurieB@lannan.org; (505) 986.8160 x 115

 

3. Amy Duggan, United Way of Central New Mexico, Center for Nonprofit Excellence (reelected to new term) Amy.Duggan@uwcnm.org; (505) 247-3671

 

4. Susan Herrera, VICE CHAIR, Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation (reelected to new term)

susanh@lanlfoundation.org; (505) 753-8890

5. Bob Mang, Jessica's Love Foundation (new) rmang@me.com; (505) 920-8608

 

6. Sabrina Pratt, TREASURER, City of Santa Fe Arts Commission, (continuing)

svpratt@ci.santa-fe.nm.us; (505) 955-6918

 

7. Dolores E. Roybal, CHAIR, Con Alma Health Foundation, (reelected to new term)

droybal@conalma.org; (505) 438.0776 ext. 3 wk or (505) 577.0352 cell

 

8. Nan Schwanfelder, Brindle Foundation, (new) nan@brindlefoundation.org; (505) 986-3983 

 

Last but not least a big THANK YOU to the outgoing Board members for their time, service and contributions to NMAG. You are appreciated! (Outgoing NMAG Board Members: Brian Byrnes, Wendy Lewis, Diane Ogawa, Elizabeth Crittenden Palacios, Tripp Killin, Randy Royster, and Frank Sanchez.)

 

We will be in touch with you soon to renew your NMAG membership. In the interim, please feel free to contact me or any of the Board members if you have any questions or desire further information.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dolores E. Roybal, Board Chair

New Mexico Association of Grantmakers (NMAG)

PO Box 9280, Santa Fe, NM 87504

 

505.438.0776 ext. 3

505.577.0352 cell