By Emily Steves, '15

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) sponsored its third annual Nonprofit Networking Day this month, hosted by The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

The CRCF supports the Cattaraugus region by giving area donors a medium through which to donate. Donors who see a need can create a fund within the CRCF to address that need.

An audience of 120 attended Nonprofit Networking Day, representing 55 area nonprofit organizations.

Keynote Speaker Bill Collins, ’77, of Travers Collins, successfully began his own business back in 1984 and passed on his wisdom to kick off the program.

“(He had) great lessons and entertaining, fantastic examples,” said Karen Niemic Buchheit, executive director of the CRCF. “I picked up a lot of ideas.”

For the rest of the day, attendees had a selection of different learning sessions to choose from.

Among the morning sessions were James E. Stitt, CEO of Cutco Corp., and James M. Stitt, president of Cutco Cutlery, with “Succession Planning,” Carol Ellen Kowalik, technology and training librarian at the Olean Public Library, with “Grants research using the CRCF Directory Online database,” and Shane Hvizdzak, CEO of Helpified.com, and Shelley Jack, adjunct professor in social media marketing at SBU, with “Maximizing Social Media for Social Good.” 

In the afternoon, Larry Sorokes, associate vice president and executive director of grants administration at SBU, presented “Grant Proposal Writing,” and Dr. Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU, presented on leadership for nonprofit managers and board members.

To end the day, Hvidzak and Jack answered lingering questions concerning social media.

“The Quick Center is a wonderful facility,” said Buchheit. “We received lots of compliments and many people were visiting the QCA for the first time, so we were pleased to help them expand their visitors.”

The CRCF has already begun planning for next year’s Nonprofit Networking Day.

“We truly appreciate being able to collaborate with St. Bonaventure for this event,” said Buchheit. “We’re looking forward to working with them again next year.”

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