by Gentry Neese, HUB International and former Tennessee Nonprofit Network Junior Board Member
My name is Gentry Neese. I work as a commercial risk advisor for Hub International with a focus primarily on nonprofits. Being that nonprofits are who I am blessed to work with every day I decided I wanted to get even more involved in the nonprofit world in my personal life. Through Hub I was able to participate in the Young Leaders Council Fall Cohort of 2023. Young Leaders Council is a nonprofit organization that is working to build the next generation of board leadership in Tennessee.
That fall was riveting. Each week, we ventured to a new nonprofit and saw the great work each does in their own respects in the community. At the end of the semester, you are supposed to have a relationship with an organization that you can join on the board of as a junior board member for the year. The fall came in went, however, and I had no match. So many great ones to choose from, with so many great candidates to partner with, and I clearly wasn’t the only one who wanted to join them all. Spots kept filling up until eventually I was left without.
Then came an email from the legendary executive director of YLC, Kim James. A late additional inquiry into the program had reached out to her in which she thought would make a mutually beneficial fit and therefore sent their information my way. I began to read, and read, and read some more. A nonprofit, that helps, nonprofits? Say no more, I was hooked. Like the wind, drifting in from Kim James was the one and only Tennessee Nonprofit Network. TNN is a nonprofit network where nonprofits could join for advice, counsel, and even ways to save on the bottom line. I had to learn more.
She then introduced me to the very impressive Kevin Dean, who was coming to Nashville that week to spread the word about TNN. A meeting was arranged for me to meet Kevin, some of the team, and board members at the ever-sophisticated, border-line white tablecloth, “Chuy’s” restaurant (editor’s note: we know how to impress!). It was there I witnessed the TNN staff and board fire on all cylinders. They were kind and welcoming but also passionate and intelligent. They were always bringing up the importance of nonprofits and how much each of them meant to their community. That was just the start of what turned out to be one the best experiences I have had to date. So much so that right after my year time was off, I asked Kevin “what other boards can I join?”
The first story I heard from TNN was Kevin talking about traveling to D.C. to be on the front lines of legislation that will directly affect both Tennessee nonprofits and nonprofits across the country. My thoughts started to run wild. To be a part of an organization that looks out for nonprofits both by helping them directly and by fighting their battles in D.C.? Again, I was sold. Think about it, if nonprofits are in place to help vulnerable populations in their community, then who was going to look out for vulnerable nonprofits general? Kevin and his team rose to the occasion.
As far as my actual board experience, it was wonderful. Each meeting was organized yet relaxed. Everyone on the board spoke with such passion about all different types of topics, and it really made you want to stand up out of your seat and shout about what you were feeling in your heart (I refrained from doing so at risk of being handcuffed by security and kicked out of the building of course…but the passion was still there). This was true whether it be something as exciting as a new event or as mundane as the budget and financials (no disrespect to the mundane budget and financials those are very important). Everyone was extremely respectful of all who spoke, always allowing everyone to voice their full opinion and then chiming in with their own thoughts when appropriate. There were never any arguments or disputes, and it was always such a pleasant atmosphere which is hard to accomplish when talking about such important items. For example, when something on the financials wasn’t looking as they had expected, the atmosphere was one of ideas and solutions and not one of anger and disappointment. If there was ever a problem, the entire board worked towards with a common goal, and they would brainstorm until an idea was agreed upon. With this method and culture, it is no wonder that TNN has grown at such the rapid pace that it has so quickly.
I watched and witnessed a truly professional atmosphere as you really cannot imagine all that goes into running a nonprofit until you get a peak behind the curtain. So much thought, sacrifice, and passion go into each sentence and idea. So, you can imagine the conversations that needed to be had for an organization that deals with around 2,000 nonprofits.
My other biggest takeaway was the importance of the nonprofit community. TNN just didn’t want to help the big nonprofits, they wanted to help every nonprofit that they could. Whether it be a local and new startup or one that had been around for decades, TNN was there to help. This shows that they truly care and are not just in it simply for the name and brand recognition. They will help you if you need them, they will help you if you want them, and they will help you no matter the situation. They are always there. Like the friend you know you can call at 2:00 am and will answer, TNN is there (This example was used in hyperbole, please do not call Kevin and/or staff at 2:00 am). They were there for me in my first board experience, and they will be there for you. They were there, they are there, and they will be there. That is TNN.