CONVERSATIONS WITH NEW PRESIDENT TO BRING LOCAL NON-PROFITS, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP TOGETHER

NEW PRESIDENT DAVID OBEDZINSKI’S “FALL LISTENING TOUR” DESIGNED TO ELEVATE SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF FOUNDATION, LOCAL NON-PROFIT MISSIONS

New Britain, Conn., September 20, 2017 – A change in leadership, particularly in the non-profit world, often brings with it not only the promise of new, exciting ventures but the opportunity to reexamine long-standing relationships and shared objectives. At the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, new president David Obedzinski has every intention of maximizing that opportunity.

Obedzinski, who assumed his new post in mid-August following the retirement of long-time President Jim Williamson, has scheduled a series of community meetings with non-profit organizations in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington during the month of October, a “Fall Listening Tour” that will provide both Obedzinski and local grantees and non-profit programs a chance to get to know each other.

“An important part of our mission here at the Community Foundation is to inspire and partner with those who serve our communities so that we all might accomplish great things,” said Obedzinski. “We view these community gatherings as an important first step toward the future, a chance for me to get to know those who do such great work in the communities we serve and, in turn, for those programs to better understand our mission and how we can help.”

Importantly, Obedzinski emphasized that the nature of the sessions is to build new and existing relationships and a renewed understanding of missions and services. Obedzinski plans to briefly share with attendees his background, the Foundation’s mission and grantmaking process and his vision moving forward, while grantees and other non-profits will likewise be allowed a brief opportunity to talk about their programs and how they would like to work with the Foundation in the future. The sessions, said Obedzinski, are not intended to address specific program needs, budget cuts and operating challenges; rather they are “an opportunity to get to know one another and learn about the important work we are all bringing to our communities,” said Obedzinski.

“We thoroughly understand that all non-profit programs are facing funding and operating challenges in today’s difficult economic climate,” Obedzinski continued. “This is not the venue for such discussions, but rather a launching pad of sorts for the future, a place for programs to talk about the great work they do and hope to continue to do – with the Foundation there to support them as best we can.”

The events are targeted to current Community Foundation grantees and local non-profit organizations and service providers within the four towns the Community Foundation serves. Dates and times are: Wednesday, October 11, 8-9:30 a.m., Plainville Senior Center (RSVP October 6); Friday, October 13, 8-9:30 a.m., Arbor Rose at the Jerome Home, New Britain (RSVP October 10); Wednesday, October 18, 3-4:30 p.m., Hospital for Special Care Howey Family Conference Center, New Britain (RSVP October 13); Thursday, October 19, 8-9:30 a.m., The Orchards at Southington (RSVP October 16); and Friday, October 20, 8-9:30 a.m., Berlin Peck Memorial Library (RSVP October 16).

Space is limited and RSVPs are required. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kim Duncan at kduncan@cfgnb.org or 860-229-6018, ext. 300.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.