SUMMARY: The Fund Raising & Outreach Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing an on-going program of fund-raising, grant writing and support-building; and for expanding and developing the community outreach programs of Be Local Northern Colorado, a tax exempt Colorado not-for-profit organization

Fundraising

• Develop on-going and expanded Community Membership program
• Develop on-going effort to find appropriate grant programs, write and submit proposals, and develop relationships with funding sources
• Develop relationships in the community with potential donors,  individuals and organizations with the goal of developing a secure and sustainable funding base for Be Local Northern Colorado
• Provide staff support for the Executive Director in fund-raising activities

Outreach

• Strengthen connections with community partners
• Develop and implement community outreach efforts
• Expand and deepen Be Local’s social media presence
• Manage & develop our Be Local blog, including guest writers
• Review and update the web site content on an ongoing basis
• Gather information and program ideas from other BALLE & AMIBA networks
• Connect our businesses more explicitly to green efforts in the community

 Qualifications:

• 3-5 years experience in fund-raising and development for a non-profit or education organization
• Trustworthy, solid work ethic, sense of humor, team player, highly self-motivated
• Enjoy working with and fostering support for independent businesses across many sectors: arts, farms & ranches, food & dining, service professionals, recreation & hospitality, retail
• Keen interest in helping to shape and build a sustainable economy based on triple-bottom-line principles; willingness to research and learn from sister business alliances across the country
• Excellent, courteous personal & business communication skills
• Experience with normal office software and an ability and  willingness to learn new things quickly
• A head for business and a heart for community; enjoy grassroots, business-oriented non-profit  work

Work schedule: Half time, approximately 20 hours/week

Salary: $15-18K (half time) depending on experience

Please send resume and detailed cover letter ASAP and no later than February 15, 2012 by email to:

Be Local Northern Colorado is co-sponsoring a film series with Transition Fort Collins beginning January 25.

If you are concerned about the future, oil and gas supplies or prices, our future economy, standard of living, green/sustainable housing, energy conservation, alternative energy resources, population growth, environmental conservation, good quality locally grown food, caring communities, or future planning for resilience and sustainability, then this film series is for you!

These issues, although sometimes politicized, are not “left” or “right” nor Democrat or Republican party issues.  Rather, they are issues that concern all of us and addressing them successfully will take the best ideas of our entire community.  The purpose of Transition Fort Collins is to encourage and stimulate community ideas for community challenges now and in the future in order to build a local future that is more sustainable and resilient.

We will see even more economic, environmental, and social changes in the next 25 years than we have in the last 50! Major changes are already in progress in terms of climate change, economic and employment uncertainties, energy costs and availability, food quantity and quality, and social unrest and revolution.  All of these changes have associated challenges as well as opportunities.

By understanding some of the challenges as well as the opportunities, we can work together to be “thrivalists” rather than just survivalists or even victims of such changes.

This film series is free and everyone is welcome.  The first series of three films helps us envision a sustainable and resilient future and some transitions to that future.  The second series of three films helps us understand some of the factors that will change our present way of life.  And the third series helps us to identify ways that local communities can transition to sustainable and resilient futures.

Sponsor:  Transition Fort Collins
Host:  College America
Co-Sponsors:  Be Local, Everence Financial
Location: Auditorium, College America Campus at 4601 S. Mason Street, Ft. Collins just off Harmony Road near the South China Restaurant
Time:  Each film will begin at 6:30 pm

Film Series I:  Envisioning Transition to a Sustainable and Resilient Future

The Next Industrial Revolution, January 25, 2012
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil, February 1, 2012
A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions in Curitiba, Brazil, February 8, 2012

Film Series II:  Understanding Change Agents to Our Present Way of Life
Film titles, dates, and times to be announced

Film Series III:  Transitioning to a Sustainable and Resilient Future
Film titles, dates, and times to be announced

Moderator and Discussion Leader:  Dr. John H. Fitch will introduce the films and
lead a discussion after each film.  He is co-convener of Transition Fort Collins and a scientist and environmental leader with experience in government, universities, and non-profit organizations. He was a former professor of environmental studies at Michigan State University, Tufts, and Florida Gulf Coast University, and a former White House fellow during the Carter Administration.

on Leap Day!!
Wednesday February 29th, 5:30-7:30pm

Be Local members: RSVP here for FREE attendance

No charge if RSVP by noon, Tues. Feb. 28th (also applies for a guest)
Without RSVP (or community localist): $10 at the door 

Join us on Leap Year Day…comes but once every four years so don’t miss out!  Network, socialize and nosh with fellow Be Local members and other localists. Free beverages and tasty treats will be served: Beer from Odell Brewing, Coyote Gold margaritas, and snacks from the Fort Collins Food Coop.

Thanks to our sponsors: Odell Brewing & Coyote Gold Margaritas.

Hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Emma Smaldino, Business Network Coordinator
Email or call 516.353.2092 

But I made an exception this year for Plaid Friday, BeLocalNC’s celebration of the “diversity and creativity of local independent businesses…”

For the rest of this post, including pictures and links, please visit http://choicecitynative.blogspot.com/

Happy Plaid Week!

For customers: we will have a Print your own Plaid station, I Love it Local tote bags with purchases of $50 or more, free cider and other beverages to enjoy while you shop!

Lunch & Learn
Wed. February 8th
11:30am – 1pm
@ Home State Bank - 303 E. Mountain Ave.

RSVP here

Got Money? Small Business Banking & Lending Tips

Trying to expand your business? Thinking about a business loan?  Concerned that no money is available?  Please join us on February 8th and learn how to feel comfortable in the world of financial whirlwinds.  Hear from Kathe from Home State Bank about how to make your capital work for you and the importance of timely financial records (you’ll see just how important).  And also hear from Mark at Public Service Credit Union about how to maximize your appeal to a lender and how to present your business in the strongest light to get an approval.  Get the inside scoop on how to really make your business boom and thrive with two experts in the field (and yes, they have a sense of humor too!).  Don’t miss out on this informative and essential Lunch & Learn.

About the Speakers

Kathe Mehlbach began her banking career in 1983 at Jefferson Bank and Trust in Lakewood, Colorado.  In 1993 she took a position as Relationship Manager in the Corporate Banking Group with Keybank and its predecessor Omnibank.  Responsibilities included managing loan and deposit portfolios for privately help companies and non-profit companies in the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins markets.  In April of 2001 she moved to Fort Collins as a Commercial Lender and Branch Manager for Community First National Bank which is now Bank of the West.  In 2007 she accepted a position with Home State Bank as a Vice Present commercial lender at the Mountain Branch in Old Town Fort Collins.

Kathe is active in the community and is on the boards of the Weld and Larimer County Revolving Loan Fund, Be Local Northern Colorado, and the Larimer County Small Business Development Center.

Mark Rigley has been in Commercial Banking for 9+ years.  He has held various positions with US Bank, Mile High Bank, and for the past three and a half years with Public Service Credit Union, where he is currently Credit Risk Manager as well as being an Assistant Credit Officer.  His job entails the review of thousands of loan applications, both consumer and commercial, and he is eager to teach small business owners how to be successful and avoid the common mistakes he sees on a daily basis.

*Attendance free to Be Local members and their guests with RSVP.

at Old Firehouse Books!

Join us next week for our SECOND EVER PLAID MOB!

Date: NEXT Tuesday February 21st
Time: 5:30pm 
Location:  OLD FIREHOUSE BOOKS, 232 Walnut St.
Meet at the fountain in Old Town Square

Shop at Old Firehouse Books, Bring $10 cash
Celebratory Drinks afterward at Pateros Creek Brewing
$1 off beer

Known in cities around the country as a Cash Mob, we’ve fine tuned the idea to fit Northern Colorado.  It’s a simple idea.  On the third Tuesday of each month people show up at a pre-identified local business with at least $10 cash and mob the business with purchases.

Why “plaid mob” and not “cash mob?” Because Be Local is all about plaid, jump-started by Plaid Friday.  Plaid represents the unique, quirky flair of our local community that we love so much.

We will be targeting small independent businesses that give back to the community.  It’s really all about community – supporting local businesses owned by people who live in the community, who employ our neighbors, and are active participants in creating a sustainable economy.

Old Firehouse Books is a new and used bookstore located in Old Town Fort Collins.  The store is starting its 32nd year in business. Old Firehouse depends on customers to bring in good condition books that they can resell as used.  Any books that don’t sell are donated to the AAUW (American Association for University Women) and the Soroptimist’s who raise money for scholarships.  Old Firehouse also donates books for silent auctions and door prizes to a large number of organizations. The bookstore helps Fort Collins Reads bring authors to Fort Collins every year.  Most recently, they contributed to the AmeriCorps Colorado Literacy Matters Book Drive for the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Plaid Mob is designed to be fun and light-hearted, and there are a few simple rules:

1. Participating business must be a Be Local member. (see criteria)

2.  Participating business must give back to the community. *See below for how the Food Coop gives back.

3.  Mob date will be the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm. Location will be announced via Facebook, twitter, and this post, one week prior to the event.

4. Bring at least $10 cash to support the business (no one is limited to $10). Wearing plaid is encouraged.

5.  Join for a celebratory drink.

Put it in perspective:
If 50 people show up at a local business with $10 each to spend we will give that business a nice boost.  If those 50 people shift $10 of their spending per week to a local business we will start to see a significant impact.  If those 50 people get 5 friends each on board with shopping locally we will have the beginnings of a movement.  If those 5 friends …

We each do a little, we all do a lot!

Questions?  Email or Call 970.219.3382