Position Announcement: Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Center Great Lakes
RC Executive Director Featured in Video Highlighting Boardman Lake Trail Plans
TART Trails released a new video this week highlighting their plan to complete the five-mile Boardman Lake Trail loop. The short video features a number of Traverse City area leaders, including Rotary Charities Executive Director, Marsha Smith. In addition to … Continued
Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services Announce New Executive Director
Traverse City, MI – Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services are pleased to announce the selection of Becky Ewing as their next joint Executive Director. She will be succeeding Marsha Smith who is retiring in December after 25 years … Continued
Join Rotary as a full-time VISTA
Rotary Camps & Service is the landholding entity of the Rotary Club of Traverse City. It owns over 1,750 acres of land in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, including a former Boy Scout Camp and significant waterfront on Grand Traverse … Continued
Rotary Charities Announces 2017 Grants, Including $75,000 to the Kalkaska Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2017 CONTACT: Leah McCallum, Director of Community Capacity Rotary Charities of Traverse City (231) 941-4010 lmccallum@rotarycharities.org Rotary Charities Announces 2017 Grants, Including $75,000 to the Kalkaska Community Traverse City, Mich. – Rotary Charities of Traverse … Continued
MCACA Minigrants Benefit 13 Local Arts & Cultural Organizations
FY18 Minigrants Benefit 13 Local Arts & Cultural Organizations – 29 More Benefit from MCACA Grants Rotary Charities/Northsky Nonprofit Network Administers Region 2 Regrant Funds TRAVERSE CITY — Thirteen arts & cultural groups in northwest Michigan have been approved for … Continued
Rotary Lists Property for Sale
Vacant Land for Sale Rotary Camps & Services (“RC&S” or “Rotary” for short) owns more than 1,700 acres in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. It serves as a landowner and property manager for Camp Greilick (formerly Boy Scouts), Camp Sakakawea … Continued
Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services Announce Retooling and New Staff
Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services announced decisions by their boards to retool staffing to address the changing landscape for their organizations. Rotary Charities will add Leah Bagdon-McCallum as their newly created Director of Community Capacity and Evan … Continued
11th Annual Kids Free Fishing Day – June 17
Saturday, June 17, 2017, 9 am to 1 pm Great Lakes Campus at NMC 715 E Front St, Traverse City More than 500 young anglers are expected at the eleventh annual Kids’ Free Fishing Day, Saturday, June 17 at Northwestern Michigan … Continued
Rotary Charities Grants over $19,000 to Support Benzie County Merger
Traverse City, Mich. – Rotary Charities of Traverse City announced the recipients of their fall-cycle grants last Wednesday, December 7th, totaling $325,000 in the form of 11 grants- including a $19,290 grant to Benzie Home Health Care to support their … Continued
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Position Announcement: Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Center Great Lakes
About the Organization
Located in Traverse City, Michigan, over twenty percent of the world’s freshwater is accessible from our unique site on West Grand Traverse Bay. This property is our inspiration to create a place that connects people emotionally, physically, and intellectually to freshwater and the Great Lakes by providing:
- Access to all ages, abilities and needs
- Recreation
- Education
- History & Culture
- Environmental stewardship
- Scientific exploration
With the support of Rotary Charities, Discovery Center Great Lakes (DCGL) will hire a CEO to advance the organization through the start-up phase to sustainable operation and continued growth. Currently, several fresh-water-focused partner organizations are co-located on part of the property and there is room for expanded operations to support the full mission of the organization. To learn more about the organization visit www.discoverygreatlakes.org.
The CEO will work to realize the physical and organizational vision of a place that connects and inspires people to protect the Great Lakes and natural resources which are precious, unique and vital to our community and our lives.
Candidate Profile
The CEO is an inspirational leader and a skilled facilitator with passion for bringing people and ideas together to develop and execute a vision. This is a hands-on role for
someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and put in the work necessary to
create a nationally-recognized, community-developed Great Lakes education, protection, and recreation gem that has a long-term positive influence on the Great Lakes region.The CEO serves as the chief executive of the Discovery Center and all its facilities including the campus, pier, harbor and collaborative. The position reports directly to
the Board of Directors.In addition to the physical development of the Discovery Center, the CEO also is responsible for development of the board, the organization and the cohesive working relationship with all the Discovery Center partner organizations and the ongoing operation of all programs and facilities.
Key Activities
- Strategy and Planning – Collaborate with
stakeholders to clarify and implement strategy for the organization. Ability to
articulate a clear and compelling vision. - Property/facilities Development – Oversee
planning and project management of physical facilities. - Funding and Revenue – Secure funding to support
activities, raise outside capital, create revenue models. - Leadership – Cultivate a culture of
collaboration, be viewed as a partner and leader in community. - Board Engagement – Work successfully with the Board
of Directors to fulfill the vision and mission. - Collaboration – Develop relationships with
partners, including government and other for and non-profits. - Financial acumen – Ensure financial performance
and viability. - Attract, create and retain a high-performing
team. - Oversee and manage business operations of
facilities. - Serve as chief external spokesperson.
Requirements:
- Prior experience in a startup or growth
organization. - Experience with Property Development and/or
Project Management. - Community leadership.
- Proven ability to grow financial revenue and
funding sources. - Financial and business acumen.
- Track record of successfully executing toward a
vision. - Undergraduate degree is required. Advanced degree
and/or relevant experience is preferred.
Licenses or Certifications:
- Valid state Driver’s License
Physical Requirements:
- Maintain dexterity, vision and coordination, sufficient to perform essential functions.
- Must be able to lift and move up to 20 lbs.
- Requires the ability to be mobile (including, but not limited to walking, bending, squatting, crouching, twisting, kneeling, reaching, etc.).
Compensation for this role will be competitive and
commensurate with experience. Discovery Center Great Lakes offers benefits that
include a 401K, group health plan, life insurance, and paid time off.To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to dcglceo@gmail.com.
Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2019. All
correspondence will be considered confidential.
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RC Executive Director Featured in Video Highlighting Boardman Lake Trail Plans
TART Trails released a new video this week highlighting their plan to complete the five-mile Boardman Lake Trail loop.
The short video features a number of Traverse City area leaders, including Rotary Charities Executive Director, Marsha Smith.
In addition to receiving a $75,000 grant from Rotary Charities in 2017, TART is partnering with the City of Traverse City, Garfield Township, and Grand Traverse County to complete the last missing 1.5-mile segment of the trail.
Click here to watch the video.
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Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services Announce New Executive Director
Traverse City, MI – Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services are pleased to announce the selection of Becky Ewing as their next joint Executive Director. She will be succeeding Marsha Smith who is retiring in December after 25 years of service to the organization. Ewing is currently serving as the Associate Director of Rotary Charities.“Becky’s strong leadership and long experience with both Rotary Charities and Camps & Services are critical to the many initiatives we currently have underway,” said Elaine Wood, chairperson of Rotary Charities. “We’re looking forward to having her expertise at the helm.”
A succession planning committee, comprised of board members of Rotary Charities and Camps & Services, as well as leadership from the Traverse City Noon Rotary Club has been meeting since January. Their recommendation to promote Becky was unanimously approved by both boards, earlier this month.
The Succession Planning Committee saw the challenges and potential changes that lie ahead for both organizations and felt that the Executive Director position needed someone who has the history, context, relationships and community connections in place – someone who could hit the ground running. Considering the critical evolution point for each organization, the Succession Planning Committee focused its efforts on Becky Ewing. Ms. Ewing has already led the organization twice during the Executive Director’s extended leaves.
Ms. Ewing has been at the table, helping to lead the strategy for both Rotary organizations for most of her ten-year tenure.
“Becky has an energetic and warm leadership style,” said Sharron Zimmerman, chairperson of Rotary Camps and Services. “She has a great blend of organizational history and innovative approaches and perspectives. Her background in science and in community growth will fit well with the changes ahead throughout Rotary. I cannot think of a better person.”
For the past 10 years, Becky has been a key part of the team at Rotary Charities, and a Rotarian. She served as a Program Officer, leading up to her current role as Associate Director. Prior to joining Rotary Charities, she developed partnerships and programs for the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College. She has worked with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce on smart growth issues. Ms. Ewing also co-owned an environmental consulting firm for 15 years.
Becky has lived in Traverse City for 50 years, served on nonprofit boards and worked as a community volunteer. Her degrees include a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Literature, both from Grand Valley State University. On Big Ten game day, she bleeds green – being the daughter, sister and mother of MSU grads. She is an avid runner, reader and connector. Having grown up in a family that camped, hiked, and explored; one of her favorite things is to be in nature, looking for morels, rocks and birds.
“Working for Rotary Charities and Camps & Services for the past ten years has been a gift and being part of the 40-year tradition of making good things happen in our region is truly an honor,” said Becky Ewing. “As we advance our transformational work, I look forward to collaborating with our boards, Rotarians, grantees and the community to continue making a positive impact on the people we serve.”
In February, during a joint strategic planning session leadership from both boards expressed clear agreement that continuing the shared Executive Director position fosters improved collaboration and adds efficiency to the operations of each entity. Becky’s intent is to retire in two to three years, which allows both organizations time to sharpen their strategy, make some big decisions, and show progress on their direction. The boards’ intent is to perform a national search as Becky’s tenure winds down.
During this past year, Becky has led Rotary Charities through key changes, moving the organization into strategic, systems-based grant making and community engagement. Later this spring, Rotary will be announcing its fall grant cycle and some other exciting programs and recognition opportunities to benefit the region it serves.
“Becky is the right person at the right time to carry forward the important work of these two Rotary organizations,” said Marsha Smith, current Executive Director of both Rotary Charities and Camps & Services. “Her leadership has already helped shape our thinking and emerging direction. I am thrilled with the boards’ selection, and I’m confident she will continue the Rotary tradition of community impact.”
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Join Rotary as a full-time VISTA
Rotary Camps & Service is the landholding entity of the Rotary Club of Traverse City. It owns over 1,750 acres of land in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, including a former Boy Scout Camp and significant waterfront on Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. We are currently recruiting a VISTA volunteer for 2018-2019.Join Us!
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring their passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that work to improve our community and our country. The most pressing challenges we face as a nation require the most courageous and creative people to address them. An AmeriCorps VISTA member serves as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to advance local solutions.
The goal of this project is to increase the capacity and sustainability for two main initiatives—Greilick Outdoor Recreation & Education Center and the Discovery Center & Pier. The volunteer activities will build audiences and visitors of all ages, abilities, and needs, especially those living in poverty. VISTA volunteers do not to be recent college graduates; anyone can find a rewarding volunteer opportunity through VISTA
At-Risk Youth
The centerpiece project will be to research and design programming for at-risk youth. Beyond the actual substantive learning that occurs in outdoor education programs, they build independence, resilience, confidence, an teach goal-setting, creative problem solving, social skills & teamwork, follow through, life-long learning, responsible risk-taking and many other life-skills that help develop a fully actualized adult that can succeed in both the workplace and in the community. Both projects are in an emerging and start-up stage of their life cycle, and need considerable support to build capacity in program development, marketing, database development, volunteer recruitment and retention, fundraising procedures, as well as fundamental policies and practices. The VISTA will help research and design a program with a special focus on at-risk youth.
VISTA Service Description
You can see a copy of our Rotary Camps & Services Service (job) Description and rough timeline here. To apply you must go through the VISTA website.
Benefits Offered to a VISTA
- Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
- Childcare Assistance, if eligible
- Relocation Allowance
- Health Coverage
- Living Allowance
For a complete description of VISTA benefits click here.
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Rotary Charities Announces 2017 Grants, Including $75,000 to the Kalkaska Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2017
CONTACT:
Leah McCallum, Director of Community Capacity
Rotary Charities of Traverse City
(231) 941-4010
lmccallum@rotarycharities.orgRotary Charities Announces 2017 Grants, Including $75,000 to the Kalkaska Community
Traverse City, Mich. – Rotary Charities of Traverse City announced the recipients of their fall-cycle grants totaling $749,000. Twenty-one grants were awarded, including a $75,000 grant to the Kalkaska DDA to build a Community Information Center – the first of many projects that will shape Railroad Square – an anchor project in the downtown revitalization.
“This project has been a focus of the Kalkaska DDA for quite some time, and this grant will facilitate the first phase of the buildout of Railroad Square,” said Cash Cook, Kalkaska DDA Executive Director. “It will create a platform to market local events and businesses, as well as be available for safety and emergency information. We’re excited for this opportunity!”
NorthSky Nonprofit Network, a program of Rotary Charities, has previously collaborated with the DDA, and other key community stakeholders, to help prioritize projects and drive economic development in Kalkaska County. NorthSky and the DDA relied heavily on the work of Networks Northwest, centered on revitalizing the towns and villages along the US-31 corridor. Railroad Square has always risen to the top, as a key project to kick start new development in Kalkaska.
“During the grant review process, it became clear that this project is meaningful to the people of Kalkaska. It will be a landmark, and resource in the heart of town,” said Marsha Smith, Rotary Charities, Executive Director. “Our staff, board and Rotarian volunteer grant reviewers were impressed by the impact that this project is already having on the Kalkaska business district. Real estate is selling. The farmers market is growing. More food trucks are vending out of the space – all of this, before the project has even broken ground. These are the kinds of high-leverage endeavors that Rotary Charities is thrilled to support.”
In addition to this investment in Kalkaska, the following grants were awarded during this grant cycle:
Arts for All: $9,000
Art Escapes Program Expansion – providing art opportunities for special education classrooms in Leelanau County
Blackbird Arts: $12,500
Community Arts: Voices & Visibility Program – collaborative effort with other local nonprofits, using the arts to raise visibility around complex community problems
City of Traverse City: Partners for Places – Climate Leadership in Rural Michigan: $45,000
Partnership between City and local nonprofits, to strengthen municipal planning around environmentally sustainable infrastructure and meet stated renewable energy goals
Communities in Schools: $50,000
Expand collaboration in rural school districts to decrease high school dropout rates
Conservation Resource Alliance: $70,000
Support for local nonprofit, state, Tribal and federal partners in a joint-effort to remove the Sabin Dam
El Grupo Norte: $25,000
Support for The Strong TC Project – expanding existing programming to more neighborhoods and launching the Advocate Academy
Father Fred Foundation: $31,500
Expansion of the Eviction Diversion program
Friends of Easling Pool: $70,000
Challenge grant to support renovation of Easling pool in collaboration with Grand Traverse County and other nonprofit partners
Glen Arbor Art Association: $10,000
Expanded exhibition space and support for collaborative programmingHonor Area Restoration Project: $50,000
Platte River property acquisition to provide universal access and recreation opportunities to residents and visitors
Justice for Our Neighbors: $11,000
Expand legal services programming for immigrants in Northern Michigan
Kalkaska DDA: $75,000
Build the Community Information Center – part of the Railroad Square revitalization projectYouth Housing Initiative: $75,000
Collaborative effort of several nonprofit housing partners, to build housing for youth ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness
Northwest Michigan Health Services: $30,000
Collaborative effort to provide universally accessible dental service space to low income community membersTraverse Area Recreation Trails (TART): $75,000
Multi-municipality joint venture to complete the Boardman Lake Loop trail5-County Substance Free Coalition: $30,000
Startup funding for five-county collaborative venture that will build capacity of regional stakeholders involved in the prevention and treatment of substance abuseGreat Start Collaborative – Parent Learning Cohort: $25,000
Support for expansion of Parent Learning Cohort initiative throughout rural Northern Michigan – teaching parents to be better parents, and parent advocates.Venture North: $35,000
Capacity building for expanded economic opportunity
Village of Elberta: $20,000
Penfold Park improvements – increasing community resources and connections, as well as universal accessibility.Several of these grant recipients also were awarded NorthSky consulting services program evaluation, program development and other capacity building services
In addition to the single year grants listed above, the Rotary Charities Board voted approve a total of $40,000 in renewals of multiple year grants to Crosshatch and Parallel 45
Since July 2017, Rotary Charities has granted an additional $88,498 in Seed Grants – small grants to launch a new idea or to expand an established initiative. Seed grants are considered on a monthly basis by the board of directors. To learn more about this program, visit: http://www.traversecityrotary.org/charities/rotary-charities/grants/all-grants/seed-grants/
In recent years, Rotary Charities has shifted from operating as a traditional charity, to a change-making organization. To learn more about this evolution and future opportunities, please join Rotary Charities staff on January 8, 2018 for the Systems Practice Panel. Learn about groups working to understand the root causes of complex community problems (homelessness, substance abuse, etc.). This gathering is free to attend. To learn more and register, visit: http://www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org/learning-opportunities/
ABOUT ROTARY CHARITIES
Since its inception in the mid-70s, Rotary Charities has distributed more than $58 million in the form of 1,310 grants to organizations and non-profits in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Kalkaska and Antrim counties. The public foundation was formed following the 1976 discovery of oil and natural gas reserves on property owned by the Traverse City Rotary Club. Its purpose over the years has been to distribute interest income generated from the oil and gas royalties to organizations throughout the five-county region of northwest Michigan. More information is available at www.traversecityrotary.org/charities/ .
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MCACA Minigrants Benefit 13 Local Arts & Cultural Organizations
FY18 Minigrants Benefit 13 Local Arts & Cultural Organizations – 29 More Benefit from MCACA Grants
Rotary Charities/Northsky Nonprofit Network Administers Region 2 Regrant Funds
TRAVERSE CITY — Thirteen arts & cultural groups in northwest Michigan have been approved for minigrant funds through the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Regranting Program for local projects and professional development planned between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. The organizations will share $32,775 in total funding. An additional $4,725 will be awarded in February 2018, for a total of $37,500 in minigrant support. The MCACA regrant program is administered locally through NorthSky Nonprofit Network in Traverse City.Regional organizations receiving minigrant project grant awards include:
- Archipelago Project for Traverse City Youth Chamber Music Camp and Concerts (Grand Traverse)
- Arts for All of Northern Michigan for its Access Arts program (Grand Traverse)
- Cherry Capital Men’s Chorus for its Building a Future with Harmony Concerts (Grand Traverse)
- Encore Winds for its 2017-2018 Concert Season: The Spirit of Music (Grand Traverse)
- Grand Traverse Pavilions for it Summer Outdoor Concert Series (Grand Traverse)
- Harbor Spring Festival of the Books for its 2017-2018 Festivals (Emmet)
- Holy Rosary Church for the Leelanau Chamber Music Festival (Leelanau)
- Little Traverse Choral Society for its 2018 Spring Concert: Seasons of Love, Laughter, Life (Emmet)
- Mancelona Public Schools for its Jazz Enrichment Project (Antrim)
- Manistee Civic Players for its 2017-2018 Season (Manistee)
- Missaukee District Library for its Artists at the Library Youth Enrichment Program (Missaukee)
Organizations receiving minigrants for professional and organizational development include:
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum (Leelanau)
- Old Town Playhouse (Grand Traverse)
Applications for Round 2 professional and organizational development (POD) minigrants are available online at mcaca.egrant.net and due January 15, 2017 (no project minigrants are available in Round 2).
MCACA regranting goals are to address arts & cultural needs, increase public access to arts and culture, build capacity and support projects that preserve, produce or present traditional or contemporary arts and culture. The grants are funded by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Arts and Cultural Affairs and administered through 10 regional districts. Rotary Charities/NorthSky is administering Region 2 funding for Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties.
In addition to minigrant funding, MCACA awarded $786,381 to 28 organizations in the ten-county region for operational and project support, facilities and equipment improvements and arts in education residencies. Regional recipients by county include:
- Antrim, $30,250: Crosshatch Center for Art & Design, Mancelona Public Schools;
- Benzie, $37,500: Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts, Michigan Legacy Art Park;
- Charlevoix, $35,500: Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Charlevoix Historical Society, Raven Hill Discovery Center;
- Emmet, $159,500: Bay View Music Festival, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Great Lakes Center for the Arts; Mackinaw City Area Arts Council, Petoskey Public Schools;
- Grand Traverse, $463,891: Blackbird Arts, City Opera House, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Northwestern Michigan College/Dennos Museum Center, Old Town Playhouse, Parallel 45, Rotary Charities of Traverse City (for Regrant/Minigrants), The Music House Museum, Traverse City Film Festival, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, National Writers Series of Traverse City;
- Leelanau, $32,500: Glen Arbor Arts Association, Leelanau Community Cultural Center;
- Manistee, $27,240: Historic Vogue Theatre;
A listing of all MCACA grant recipients is available on the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs website at: http://www.michiganbusiness.org/cm/Files/MCACA/2017_Funding_Plan_County.pdf?rnd=1473545655809
For questions about MCACA minigrants, Round 2 applications or notification of future arts funding information, please contact Mary Bevans Gillett, regrant coordinator, at 231-883-8388 or mgillett03@gmail.com.
NorthSky Nonprofit Network is a program of Rotary Charities and supports the work of the nonprofit sector through advocacy, capacity building, and sustainability support. Its mission is to build strong communities by helping nonprofit organizations achieve and sustain excellence. NorthSky is an official satellite office of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, servicing nonprofit organizations.