Posted by Christopher Stevenson
I am non-profit, function in a highly competitive environment, and am mission driven. Many of my brothers and sisters have gone by the wayside because they were too small to compete. My patrons are very dedicated and are happy to tell their friends and family about the service I provide to my community, but too few people know everything I have to offer.
What am I?
An arts organization.
Sounds like a credit union though, doesn't it? This morning on NPR's Morning Edition, Susan Stamberg interviewed Michael Kaiser, president, the Kennedy Center, and turnaround king for struggling arts organizations. As Kaiser described arts orgs' "bunker mentality," that seemingly irresistable urge to cut programs and marketing to save money, and the need to collaborate to cut expenses while simultaneously expanding offerings, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between arts organizations and CUs.
