From the newly-seated board of trustees, 9 January 2012.
Dear Brothers,
As the new Board of Trustees (BOT) begins its new role on January 1, 2012, we would first like to take this opportunity to thank and honor all of you on the Northwest Center Council and OPs teams who have served with dedication and performed your duties for the continued success of our Northwest Center. From the very beginning, men like you have rolled up their sleeves and have done whatever needed doing to improve and grow our center. None of this would have happened without you! We are honored to continue this tradition of success standing shoulder to shoulder. Your courage and vision mandates our best and together we will strive to serve with wisdom, grace, accountability and transparency.
The BOT recognizes that our Center is standing at a point of historical change. MKPI and MKPUSA are in the process of restructuring. Ultimately, the BOT and the members of the Northwest Center will have to decide whether we want to join MKPUSA under one roof. Fortunately, this decision will not have to be made until the end of 2012 and possibly pushed into 2013. This gives us time to take a serious look at what we as a Center want to be. Right now, 98% of our business is about putting on NWTAs. 2% is about putting on community events. Do we continue with this model or begin to shift to a model that is more locally responsive and flexible? Starting now and in the days ahead men can begin asking what do I want and what are the needs of my community? What am I willing to participate in to be of service?
As a point of history, MKPNW used to operate almost entirely as a volunteer organization. When the economy was much stronger we added paid staff and began to build a reserve fund. As the economy has slowed way down over the past few years and enrollment has declined we have run a deficit which cannot be sustained indefinitely. Recognizing this, the BOT hopes to streamline paid staff and transition back to a more volunteer-based organization, drawing on the skills and generosity of brothers
Currently, the BOT is working on an Annual Operating Plan (AOP) that will run financially positive. We recognize the tough decisions needed to balance cost increases and revenue decreases. Our goal for running the current model is to make gradual and well thought-out changes, with input from all the constituencies and brothers of our Center.
We will also begin to vision and work towards growing our 2% activities, which could include putting on events that bring women, children and elders together. This can be accomplished through developing multicultural events and strengthening relationships with other non-profits such as Boys to Men, Women Within, and Inner Yoga who hold a similar mission to ours. The possibilities here are endless and needed at this time of great change.
Finally, the BOT recognizes the huge importance of the Community Congress (CC) in our restructuring. We are asking for your continued engagement in setting up this group as it will be the consolidated voice of all of our communities. In draft form, we are looking at the CC consisting of representatives from the different communities and constituencies. In particular, we are looking to engage I-Group Kings as a critical communication tools within the CC and BOT. Essentially, the CC will help fulfill the operational role along with the executive director (XD) and center director (CD).
The BOT is working very hard right now on many fronts. It is important that the BOT speaks as one voice to eliminate confusion. We appreciate your patience during this transition and we recognize men have many questions and want to help. I will be communicating on a regular basis as we continue to form the CC and look at ways to improve our overall communications.
As I look out over the past 15 years of my MKP experience, I have seen many changes for the better. Men all over this world are taking seriously this opportunity to make the world and our communities better places to live fulfilled lives! I happen to subscribe to YES magazine, after hearing David Korten speak at our 2008 World Elder Gathering in Portland. Page after page is filled with ordinary people making huge positive change in their communities. It is inspiring to me and I want to be part of this exciting change. Men, women and children are waiting! Will you join with us to help build and bring about this exciting change?
Sincerely,
Nelson Oostenink – President
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