by Angela Meekins, West Tennessee Regional Manager, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
THE BEGINNING
First, let me say that I am no stranger to Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Over 10 years ago when I entered the nonprofit world, leaving the entertainment industry and corporate America for the first time, I had no idea how nonprofits (charities as I would call them) operated or were structured. I used to think everyone basically worked for free because they worked for a “charity” and that all staff were just volunteers. I thought this because as a child I would always see charities sending my parents letters in “desperate need” for money. I would watch the 30-minute infomercials saying “every penny counts” and felt so sad believing all “charities” rode the struggle bus to make ends meet for their causes (I am so glad I know so differently now).
Asking people for donations came naturally (thanks to practicing with my dad growing up), and engaging with the community was second nature after over 20 years in broadcasting. But I didn’t understand the formal structure of nonprofit administration—or programming, for that matter. The most daunting part of joining the nonprofit sector was that I had never written a grant before, and the very thought of it was overwhelming.
That’s where TNN stepped in. They taught me how to research and write my first grant, the fundamentals of fundraising, nonprofit governance, marketing our mission, strategic planning, volunteer management, and other nuances I could only learn in a supportive, non-competitive space with peers from other nonprofits. TNN gave me a sense of community, and thanks to them, I thrived!
READY FOR MY FIRST DAY!
Before my start date in early September, I asked the team to plug me in right away so I could hit the ground running. When I arrived that first morning, I was greeted with warm smiles, a spread of pumpkin spice treats, and four major projects to manage within the first two hours! During onboarding, it felt surreal to be working alongside TNN members who had been my trainers, colleagues, and mentors. I was finally part of the team that had helped me navigate my early experiences in nonprofit work!
DAY 18…OUR BIGGEST EVENT!
A few weeks later, we hosted our inaugural statewide Tennessee Nonprofit Conference in Memphis. Event logistics are my passion! From coordinating live radio broadcasts and concerts to managing large-scale festivals and national conferences, I was thrilled to jump in and help fine-tune this sold-out event. Many colleagues discovered my new role at the conference—some recognized my name tag, others heard my “radio” voice making announcements and texted me on-site! The outpouring of support and well-wishes reminded me of the unique sense of community in our field.
DAY 22…MY FIRST TNN ROAD TRIP!
Kevin and I hit the road to Nashville to lead a workshop on fundraising through storytelling. It was inspiring to work with so many nonprofit leaders eager to sharpen their skills in crafting compelling success stories. I was thrilled to see my years of writing annual appeal letters come to life during class!
Random story: On our first night, Kevin and I went for burgers in Nashville’s urban Green Hills area. To my delight, we encountered a beaver enjoying its own meal! I am a wildlife enthusiast, so I geeked out, asking Kevin to snap pictures. When I shared this with our workshop participants, the wildlife nonprofits suggested it might have been a groundhog—but there was no denying the sight of those huge front teeth and flat tail!
DAY 26…MEETING OF THE MINDS!
As a state association, TNN is member of National Council of Nonprofits. During my fourth week, state associations across the southeastern U.S. gathered for our first Southern Convening. It was an all-star training experience with knowledgeable teams who shared insights and resources. I felt like a rookie being trained by first-round draft picks who welcomed me with positivity and guidance!
DAY 30 WE EARLY VOTED!!!
One of the main reasons I joined TNN was to learn about advocacy and public policy impacting the nonprofit sector. I love contributing to calls to action and helping our members engage with local and state officials. To celebrate my 30th day, our team went to early vote—make sure to get out and vote, too!
WHAT’S NEXT?
I am still learning the ropes with our programming and membership team, aiming to support our members through benefits and programs that fuel their success. My personal mission is to help nonprofit newcomers find solid footing in this beautiful community of “charity folks.” And, of course, I’d love to recruit more to Team Pumpkin Spice!
If you’re a nonprofit between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers, I’d love to connect! (And if you’re on the other side of the Tennessee River, my colleague Dorian Hines wants to know you!) And if you’re not a TNN member—WHY NOT? It is at no cost to you (through 2026), plus you get to be a part of an organization that truly has your back in helping you move your mission forward!