by Andrea Hill, Chief Development & Partnerships Officer, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
Tennessee Nonprofits Network’s commitment to supporting Tennessee’s nonprofit sector and its members is reflected in our mission, vision, guiding principles, and now our Community Engagement Statement. By supporting our nonprofits, we hope to support them as they diligently work to serve the communities they directly impact.
We’re proud to unveil our new Community Engagement Statement:
THIS IS WHY: Tennessee Nonprofit Network is committed to fostering a nonprofit ecosystem that promotes a vibrant exchange of ideas that draws from different experiences and wisdom. Recognizing that every nonprofit member organization brings valuable perspectives, we strive to create an inclusive space through collaboration and mutual respect. We prioritize listening to the voices of our members on behalf of those they serve. We extend an invitation to our member organizations across Tennessee to foster lasting, measurable change.
THIS IS HOW: We create space that promotes collective learning and solidarity. We vow to support the development of all our members by honoring the lived experiences, knowledge, and expertise of the nonprofit members that we serve. We offer our nonprofit members the opportunity to unite, learn, and innovate. Recognizing the uniqueness of each nonprofit member organization, we cultivate practices that foster reflection, integration, transformation, and resilience.
A community engagement statement is crucial for nonprofits as it acts as a public declaration of the organization’s commitment to working collaboratively with the communities they serve. It outlines the values, principles, and approaches that guide their engagement efforts, ensuring transparency and accountability. This statement helps build trust and credibility with community members, demonstrating that the nonprofit genuinely seeks to understand their needs, perspectives, and aspirations. By clearly articulating their commitment to community engagement, nonprofits can attract like-minded partners, funders, and volunteers who share their vision for positive social change.
A community engagement statement shares striking similarities with a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) statement. Both emphasize the importance of valuing diverse voices, fostering inclusivity, and promoting equitable outcomes. A strong community engagement statement recognizes that communities are diverse and have unique strengths and challenges. It commits the organization to actively listening to and learning from all community members, regardless of their background, identity, or social status. This community-centered approach ensures that the nonprofit’s actions are relevant, responsive, and respectful to the communities they serve, ultimately leading to more impactful and sustainable solutions.
But how did we draft and finalize our Community Engagement Statement? As I led this process with the staff, it was important to get input from our network. The steps TNN took to create our Community Engagement Statement are:
Step 1: Focus Group Phase
At the onset of this Community Engagement Statement drafting process, TNN enlisted support from a DEIB consultant. Through our consultation meetings, I shared our expectations and vision for the statement, which was to create a statement that expressed clearly the way TNN would like to engage with our partners, members, and the greater Tennessee community. With our why firmly in mind, the consultant and I facilitated a series of three focus groups (TNN staff and board members, partners and community members, and nonprofit members). Each of these groups provided a wealth of feedback on the statement’s length, its phasing, and various terms used within the statement. During our focus group meetings, each member shared their perspective on what resonated with them, what was unclear, and how they felt various phases would be perceived. These open and thoughtful conversations yielded helpful feedback which led the consultant and I on a journey of several drafts and redrafts.
Step 2: Review Phase
As the consultant and I landed on a final draft, we invited members of each of the focus groups to weigh in. This final review meeting was not only to showcase the hard work, energy, time, and commitment of our focus group members, but it was also a way to close the feedback loop. We wanted to ensure our focus group members knew that their voices had been heard and valued. The final review meeting left each member with a sense of accomplishment and honor that they had been a part of something greater for the greater Tennessee community.
3: Board Approval
After the final focus group review meeting, it was time for TNN’s Board of Directors to review the Community Engagement Statement. During TNN’s Board retreat, our Board unanimously approved the statement. Our Board believes this statement firmly reflects TNN’s commitment to our community and our larger complement to our mission, vision, and guiding principles.
Step 4: Sharing Our Statement
TNN’s Community Engagement Statement will be shared in a few ways. TNN will utilize this blog, our TNN’s website, and finally, the Community Engagement Statement will be shared on our various social media sites.
We believe that the development of our Community Engagement Statement signifies our ongoing dedication to serving as a resource and advocate for Tennessee’s nonprofit sector. Through this statement, we aim to clearly communicate our commitment to collaborative partnerships with our members and partners and our responsiveness to the needs of our stakeholders. For more information on our Community Engagement Statement, please visit the Tennessee Nonprofit Network website at www.tnnonprofits.org