Our Community
At last count
there were 131 people coming to work each day in the twenty-seven organizations
housed in the eleven buildings on our 2.6 acre site. Numbers aren't everything.
For example, we like having colleagues nearby to talk about the work we do and
the challenges we face. We also like it that out of those conversations a fresh
idea for a new joint project might emerge. Or maybe we both need a part-time
financial person and being next door it would be easy to share one.
Then there are the basics like, Does everyone really need to invest and maintain
a huge sort and staple duplicating machine when we are steps away? Probably not.
Thinking about it, we find ourselves awash in words: colleagues, collaboration,
community, and even campus. For we are a campus-like setting for nonprofit
organizations. And that brings with it a whole new set of opportunities beyond
the good and important work we do in our individual organizations and beyond in
the larger Columbus community. That good work extends out to the central Ohio
community to enhance the quality of daycare, education, services for
international visitors, creative writing experiences for children and youth,
health care for Ohio citizens, entrepreneurial opportunities for people with
disabilities, the preservation of the history and built environment of Columbus
and much more.
Some like being
part of planning the summer progressive lunch which in fact does progress around
the block to three different buildings. Those who like landscape and historic
preservation are invited to participate on our master plan committee, and the
visual arts people help to decide, hang, and celebrate three yearly openings in
our Vorys Gallery and Conference Room. (Did we mention that room will end up
being your favorite place for your board and committees to meet?)
Then there's the Jefferson Grant Awards. Each year, four to six people who work
on the block are given small grants for some special project or opportunity for
a conference or professional development experience. The request for proposals
goes out each year on Valentine's Day because we do cherish the people and work
that are here, and the award reception is on the always sunny first day of May.
So many good things that of all these words, community may just be the best to
describe it all |
|
 |
