On behalf of the NHPIE Board of Directors, this is an announcement that we are preparing for change as we face the reality of a revenue challenge for our organization.
First, we want to spread the news that we are going to continue with our celebration of volunteers and partners in schools across New Hampshire. The NHPIE Board of Directors met many times this spring and reviewed a variety of options knowing funds are limited. Hopefully this explanation will give you some insight to the problems we face, as well as our short-term and long-term plans to continue.
BUDGET CUTS HIT NHPIE – As with many New Hampshire schools, our organization is experiencing a significant amount of budgetary concerns this spring. A major part of this problem is directly related to the cuts coming out of Concord with limited funds and shifting legislative priorities. Next year, we will lose our entire funding allotment (typically $80,000 annually) from the NHDOE. We are extremely sympathetic and understanding, as the NHDOE is struggling through unprecedented tough decisions due to their funding limits and shifting legislative priorities.
BLUE RIBBON AND GOLD CIRCLE APPLICATIONS – We typically award hundreds of awards at these annual events. At these events we recognize Blue Ribbon Schools, Gold Circle partnerships, outstanding volunteers and the Power of the Penny efforts. With the new design of NHPIE, we will cut back on some of the pageantry yet celebrate outstanding efforts in schools throughout NH.
BLUE RIBBON AND GOLD CIRCLE EVENTS – We typically bring together a few hundred school volunteers and educators each year as we celebrate their efforts on behalf of NH students. Over the past few years, many of you gathered with NHPIE at the annual Gold Circle celebration event in a late September afternoon and/or the annual Blue Ribbon event for a late October morning. This fall we plan to consolidate these two NHPIE events into a single morning celebration in late October. We will continue to keep this event at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES WITHIN NHPIE – Next year, we plan to consolidate the daily functions of our organization. In the past we have been heavily dependent on our Executive Director, along with the support of the board members and other volunteers. Due to the loss of funding, we are no longer able to maintain any staff positions and therefore, we will continue with a new distribution of roles within NHPIE. For those needing assistance and contact as you submit applications and plan for our October event, you will be given a contact for each specific need. This will result in a variety of board members assuming roles previously covered by our Executive Director. In all situations, please refer to our web site or call our phone number to seek assistance throughout our transition to a new all-volunteer model.
FUNDS TO CONTINUE – Fortunately, we anticipate sufficient funds to continue with the event this fall. We will not raise application or participation fees for 2011, as we have strategic plans to maximize financial resources to continue with an outstanding event. We are pursuing additional sponsorships to provide funding that may allow us to make the event even better.
THE FUTURE – We have long term plans to review fees and events, depending on the success with our new structure. Please continue to work with NHPIE as we plan our new celebration in October 2011 and many years beyond.
NHPIE Board of Directors
Dillard E. Collins, Chairman
Hampstead Central School Principal
603-329-6326 x103
email
