Strengthening the State's Nonprofits - Enhancing the Sector's Contribution to Economic Development Public Forum

CONTACT: Paul D. Daugherty, Executive Director, WVU at Parkersburg Foundation.
(304) 424-8340 (O) / (304) 482-9890 (M)

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. - When's the last time your voice was heard to assist with the future of non-profit organizations and the economy of our state? The Nonprofit Capacity Focus Group of the Vision Shared Implementation Team will hold several statewide public forums to discuss how to strengthen the state's nonprofit organizations and enhance their contribution to economic development. Local community foundation leader, Judy Sjostedt, co-chair of the statewide focus group, along with Marlo Scruggs of BB&T, will lead the six forums.

Here in the Mid-Ohio Valley community, the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation along with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation are sponsoring one of these forums on Wednesday, May 5, 2004; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.. Local non-profit leaders encourage the community’s participation in this forum.

Volunteer Action Center Executive Director Jenny Keup commented, "how wonderful that this opportunity has become available so the state's nonprofits can join together into a voice for Vision Shared. I have no doubt the leadership and guidance provided by the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation will make this 3-hour event a priority for every nonprofit in the area. I encourage everyone to seriously consider this invitation and, together, we can change the face of West Virginia!"

The forum is being held in the Business, Industry, and Development Services (BIDS) Center on the campus of WVU at Parkersburg.

" The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation believes it is essential for us to support efforts that contribute to the growth of the state's economic development and strengthens the state's nonprofit organizations throughout the future. As a leader in higher education, West Virginia University at Parkersburg prides itself on being an engine that enhances economic development and convenes discussions on such matters." said Paul D. Daugherty, executive director of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation.

"The public's input at the forum will assist the focus group to determine if the recommendations contained in the paper represent the top priorities for West Virginia's nonprofits; to accept additional input regarding proposed actions; to increase public awareness of the Vision Shared process and to attract additional volunteers." stated Sjostedt, who is executive director of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.

The additional forums across the state are sponsored by the Nonprofit Capacity Focus Team of Vision Shared and the WV Community Development Partnership, in cooperation with local hosts Wheeling Jesuit University-Appalachian Institute, First Commitment Corporation, WesBanco, WV Wesleyan College-Bonner Scholars Program, Eastern WV Community Foundation, Clarion Hotel, Beckley Area Foundation, Mountain State University, Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.