About this Series: The Northwest Minnesota Foundation staff believes that we can all make a difference in our communities by stepping forward to becoming part of something bigger. This belief not only helps drive our day-to-day activities at work but is also apparent in our personal lives. This series highlights our staff’s commitment to community through their volunteer activities, those that occur outside of the traditional work day.
“I am on the Northern Dental Access Center board of directors, serving as Treasurer, currently in my fifth year of service. I serve on the executive, finance and administrative committees. We generally serve low-income clients from around the region at dental offices in Bemidji and Halstad.
I was recruited to participate on the NDAC board by some local leaders who I admire. The organization is very well run, great staff, and uses numerous measures to track the impact of our work (e.g. clients served, types of services delivered, staff hours, earned income, etc.). But I find the mission moments (reports from staff on client stories and how staff helped improve their lives) to be the most valuable part of our board meetings. These demonstrate the real-world challenges people are facing and how staff accommodate and customize their approach on a case-by-case basis.”
NATE DORR
Vice President for Advocacy
