WabiSabi will be holding its annual Nonprofit Network Barbecue from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 11 at Rotary Park.
Anyone involved in nonprofits, as well as anyone who would like to learn more about the Moab-area nonprofits are invited to attend.
WabiSabi is a nonprofit thrift store that shares proceeds with 13 local nonprofits as well as provide Make a Difference in Moab grants for individuals and organizations. WabiSabi also provides training and support for all nonprofits through the WabiSabi Nonprofit Network.
“Come on down. We’ll be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers,” said Mandy Turner, WabiSabi’s program director. We’ll introduce ourselves and events. Then other than that pretty informal, and that’s exactly the way we want it.”
WabiSabi will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers with all the trimmings. Those attending are encouraged to bring side dishes, especially those that can be enjoyed people who have special diets, such as vegan or gluten-free.
“I really enjoy attending the networking socials, there is a relaxed atmosphere, and incredible work gets done between nonprofits in unexpected ways” said Ocean DeGraw, WabiSabi’s retail director.
This is the second of two WabiSabi Nonprofit Network Socials each year, one in January and one in July. The socials give nonprofit representatives a chance to get to know each other. They also provide an opportunity for nonprofits to inform one another of upcoming events, any needs they may have or resources they have to share.
Moab has about 70 non-profits, which is way above average for a small town, Turner said.
“One of the reasons we have so many is that people see a need and want to meet it,” Turner said.
Last year about 30 people showed up to the barbecue. About 50 people went to the January social.
“It’s some sort of magic stew pot. Throw people together and let them talk it out,” Turner said. “There is no formal structure. A lot of work is done just by getting people into the same room.”
Events like the nonprofit network socials give people a chance to learn about the work other non-profits are doing in town, which leads to sharing resources and ideas to help the community more effectively.
“If people are interested in non-profits, or interested in volunteering, this is a great place to meet non-profit community leaders,” Turner said. “You never know what may happen. You may end up volunteering, working or learning about a service you didn’t know about before.”
It’s also a great opportunity for those involved in different non-profits
Since the last barbecue social held in July 2012, the WabiSabi Nonprofit Network has convened five times.
Four of the meetings included workshops specific to nonprofit leadership and management, addressing topics such as How-to Write a Press Release, How-to Read Financial Statements, Roles and Responsibilities of Board Members, A Nonprofit’s Place in the Community, the Changing Landscape of Health Insurance, Resources for Nonprofits, and an Introduction to QuickBooks.
The other was a January Social which included chili and cornbread. Most of the workshops are free or by donation.
“WabiSabi is able to bring these workshops and socials to the Nonprofit Network at little or no cost through a grant from United Way of Eastern Utah,” Turner said “The United Way recognizes the importance of this program dedicated to the interweaving of nonprofits to improve communication, resource sharing, and education, especially in a rural town that is geographically isolated from most major sources of funding.”
