- Tom Dempsey, principal and co-founder of Morgan Dempsey Capital Management LLC, has been elected as chair of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s board of directors. Dempsey has been a ZSM board member since 1992. Karen Hung, corporate vice president of marketing at Direct Supply; Thomas Marini Jr., managing director of The Private Bank; Jay McKenna, senior vice president, CFO and treasurer at North Shore Bank; Kim Schaffer, senior vice president/market manager at Park Bank; Rick Schmidt, president and CEO of C.G. Schmidt; Billie Jean Smith, a partner at the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; Dave Strelitz, senior vice president and regional trust manager for Associated Wealth Management’s southern region; and Anne Zizzo, president and CEO of Zizzo Group Advertising & Public Relations; were also elected as members of the board.
- The Wisconsin State Fair Park Youth Foundation board has added Sarah Smith as its newest member.
Tri-Adathon, a joint venture between Milwaukee-based Catral Doyle creative, the Welke Group and Elm Grove-based Clear Verve Marketing, selected 21 nonprofit organizations to receive 24 hours of free pro bono marketing support. The services provided include marketing communications, strategic planning, web site design, radio scripting, graphic design, and media relations planning. “Working together on these projects really opens up the things we can do for people,” said Christina Steder, owner of Clear Verve Marketing. “It allows me to take a project that maybe my firm could only do half of, and bring in these other people to finish it because that is their specialty.”
According to Steder, the event was well received, and is something the firms plan to do on an annual basis. Click here to view a video about the Tri-Adathon event and its efforts. Variety- The Children’s Charity of Wisconsin, was selected to be a part of the Tri-Adathon effort.
Nonprofit Name: Variety – The Children’s Charity of Wisconsin
Nonprofit Address: 999 N. 92nd Street, Suite C120A, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Website: www.varietywi.org
Leadership: Gerise LaSpisa, Executive Director
Mission of the organization: Providing life-enriching assistance to Wisconsin children challenged by physical disabilities.
Annual volunteer/fundraising event: Ben Marcus Memorial Variety Golf Classic at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa to be held July 20, 2010.
What makes your organization unique?
“Variety fills a niche with our Kids on the Go! mobility grant program. We also have a unique social aspect for our supporters. Variety benefits from more than 20 fundraising events each year. This gives our supporters plenty of opportunities to network and build relationships while raising money for Variety. Our core group of long-time supporters often socialize outside of Variety events and many of them have become great friends.”
Why did you want to get involved in the Tri-Adathon effort?
“On March 1, 2010, Variety will celebrate its 75th Anniversary, yet we believe many families that could benefit from our services are unaware of our programs. We would also like to diversify our funding sources and build strong partnerships with local companies by gaining awareness within the community. We sought a marketing communications plan that would create awareness, build interest and educate potential donors, volunteers, and parents of children with physical challenges about our mission and programming.”
What help did you receive from Tri-Adathon?
“A fabulously dynamic yet easy to implement marketing communications plan. Thank You! The staff at Clear Verve Marketing went above and beyond our wildest hopes in opening doors and making connections for us.”
What are you immediate organizational goals as a result of the Tri-Adathon effort?
“To implement the immediate action items as set forth in the plan. We were ecstatic to learn that we would be receiving a billboard from Clear Channel and that many of the media contacts and potential spokespersons that Clear Verve reached out to were interested in our work. Right now we feel that our organization has a lot of forward momentum and we want to continue to build momentum throughout our 75th anniversary year.”
Is your organization in search of board members?
“From time to time, Variety has openings on its Board of Directors and is always interested in meeting individuals with unique skill sets and the passion to move our mission forward. If you are interested in exploring volunteer or board service opportunities, please contact the Variety office at 414-266-3812.”
How can business people/the community help your organization?
“Learn about the good work that Variety does and spread the word. Monetary donations are often the easiest and most effective way to help Variety. We also have many fundraising events and children’s program events with sponsorship opportunities. We gladly welcome in-kind donations of services and donations of auction items. Donations of tickets to various sporting, arts and cultural outings are greatly appreciated and are utilized for our Variety Future Kids Program which gives children with physical disabilities and their families the opportunity to experience events and public institutions in the community that they might otherwise not be able to enjoy.”
