Organizations like Chandler provide a ton of value for our communities; how can we all help ensure their future?
One of the most compelling things about living in New England is that regardless of political persuasion, in an age of increasing political polarization and corporate profiteering at larger levels, we often find ways to put our communities first.
Volunteer fire or emergency medical services. Community nursing that fills in growing gaps in our healthcare system. Conservation commissions that help empower homeowners with tools to sustain our beautiful environment. Arts centers like Chandler that provide not just entertainment and fun, but critical community and creative spaces.
But as we all know, doing those isn't easy.
Nonprofit community-focused arts centers like Chandler rely on donations of time and money from a wide range of sources. Like all of us, they face rising costs, and especially since COVID, have seen a sharp decline in attendance and the associated revenue.
Where does this go in the future?
That’s a question that the Board of Directors at Chandler would like to answer, and more specifically, would like your help in answering.
For those of you I haven’t met, I’ve lived in the Upper Valley for the last two and a half years, but I’ve spent about 15 years working in and around local government. From the (nonpartisan) mayor of my hometown, to a town manager, to an MPA professor, volunteer EMT, and consultant, I’ve seen a wide range of programs and policies driven at varying levels of community input and buy-in. Over this time, I’ve become quite a firm believer that the best programs and policies aren’t driven simply top-down, but rather, involve creating a space for all stakeholders to participate and sometimes even to drive the plans themselves. This is why Chandler hired me and my 501c3 nonprofit, Rethink Local, to help with this strategic planning process, and why we need your participation in Chandler’s strategic planning process for it to be successful.
This process is meant to not just review some operational and financial items and help Board members flesh out their own vision, but to bring in any and all stakeholders in the community who see the value of places like Chandler, and even those who don’t, into the process, sharing your thoughts, vision for the future, and ideas. How do we support creative endeavors and artists? How do we create community spaces that bring different groups together? And what the heck is a “community” now and ten years from now anyway?
There are several ways you can be involved.
You can take about 10-15 minutes to fill out an online survey that you can find at chandler-arts.org/strateticplan.
And if you have more time, you can also stop by Chandler's Open House on February 15th between 11-3pm (food and refreshments provided). Meet Chandler board members and staff, meet and see some neighbors and community members, and participate in some activities that will help the Chandler Board identify the best way to imagine and implement a future that benefits Randolph and the surrounding communities.
Just like The Herald did recently (at Chandler, no less!), we invite you to learn more. These critical organizations have faced tough times and need all of our support and involvement to be able to keep doing what they’re doing, and ideally, even grow to meet some of the needs that may come up in the coming years. They can’t do that without knowing how best to serve their audiences, and without the honest and thoughtful feedback that lives in many of your heads.
I hope you’ll consider participating in this process in whatever way you can, and don’t take my word for it alone, check out Chandler’s Board President Mark Rosalbo below taking a break from the upcoming Our Town rehearsal to ask for your time and ideas in this process. We hope to see you February 15th!
Alex Torpey is the founder and executive director of Rethink Local, a Vermont 501c3 that provides free resources and technical advising to local governments and nonprofits that aim to build civic and community resiliency. Alex has published and hosted many podcasts, workshops, and articles about the importance of authentic and effective community engagement. Find his updates on Substack at alextorpey.substack.com, or check out Rethink Local’s Upper Valley Vibes podcast at rethinklocal.us.
