Jo: Jennifer, you’ve only been on the job for a short time but please share with us some of your initial impressions.
Jennifer: I’m extremely impressed by the dedication and depth of knowledge of the staff. I’ve spent most of my time getting to know them and developing a strong sense of NESEA and the services that the organization offers. The next step is meeting more of the members and learning more about their businesses and how we can help them grow this industry. It’s a really exciting time for NESEA and presents great opportunities to grow.
Jo: You’re new to NESEA. What brings you here?
Jennifer: As you know, Jo, I was introduced to NESEA through you. I’ve been a casual observer of what NESEA has been up to for the last couple years. I was looking for an opportunity to combine my past professional experience as a lwayer, executive coach and nonprofit executive in a fast growing field. NESEA seemed like the perfect fit.
Jo: What are your biggest challenges at NESEA?
Jennifer: Clearly both the industry and NESEA are in a time of huge transition. One of the big challenges is going to be defining who we are and where we fit in this marketplace. We have a branding initiative underway with a leading company. We’re surveying members right now to get your input. In order for this effort to succeed all the stakeholders – members and staff – need to be included.
This year we’re also laser focused on ramping up our PR efforts. We need to make sure that we capitalize on this moment and time and make sure that everyone knows that NESEA is the professional organization that you go to grow your green business.
Jo: What’s your top priority right now?
Jennifer: Building relationships to help NESEA grow. Sponsorships are the ultimate goal. But they don’t come in the absence of a personal relationship. I need to to get to know NESEA members and learn how we can help each other succeed.
Jo: As the new kid on the block, I’m sure a number of people would like to meet you. What is the best way for people to contact you?
Jennifer: My door is always open. Feel free to stop by the NESEA office or give me a call and let’s meet for coffee. Feel free to call me at (413) 774-5061 X 23 or email me at jmarrapese@nesea.org
Looking forward to meeting all of you soon!
Welcome….
…..Bill
What a long list of corporate jargon and goals:
grow this industry
great opportunities to grow
the industry
where we fit in this marketplace
a branding initiative
all the stakeholders
ramping up our PR efforts
make sure that we capitalize on this moment
the professional organization that you join to grow your green business
sponsorships are the ultimate goal
how we can help each other succeed
And, apparently, Jennifer took the helm at NESEA (which was once a grass-roots organization), not to make the world a better place but as part of a career trajectory, an “opportunity” for herself.
“I was looking for an opportunity to combine my past professional experience as a lwayer, executive coach and nonprofit executive in a fast growing field. NESEA seemed like the perfect fit.”
Apparently, with Jo the PR gal and now Jennifer the career maven, NESEA has completely merged into the corporate culture that has done so much damage to both our earth and our souls.
Hi RR:
You made me laugh..!!!!… Come on Robert, it is always about the money… the last castle to fall into the pit of revenue was the medical profession, you know a persons well being and health above all else… which fell quite awhile back… At least you could have tried to be nice…. even if it was based on fossil fuels….
…..Bill
Jennifer,
Thanks for taking on this challenging and essential job – and with eyes wide open I hope, NESEA has been a tricky ship to steer.
In time, I’m sure we’ll get to meet and share perspectives about NESEA’s past, present, and future. Until then I invite you to pay careful attention to the need to provide our community with a clear and compelling sense of what membership means – that this is our community and the hub for our diverse practices. I’d like you to think about what we can do to help our community be better engaged, informed, and connected.
Last summer I put together a blog that hoped to express this intent. That effort was subsumed by other NESEA initiatives, but I invite you to digest the two posts and the thoughtful comments as part of your “orientation”.
http://mynesea.wordpress.com/
Welcome to our tribe!