FBN regional gathering (west)

A little background, Bill Lemke and I have spoken at length about creating a sustainable community to support furniture banks around North America. So in January, he kick-started a regional meeting of organizations that might all come together to share resources and observations. While a small group, it highlighted for me that gathering, sharing, and problem-solving together is an important role of a community. Attending the event:

• Dunetchka Otero-Serrano, Executive Director, Community Warehouse Portland, OR
• Megan Smith, Communication Director, Community Warehouse
• Anna Kurnizki, Development Director, Community Warehouse
• Joe Glode, Program Director, Community Warehouse
• Dan Kershaw, Executive Director, Toronto Furniture Bank, Canada
• Ray Piontek, Founder and Executive Director, Bay Area Furniture Bank, CA
• Bill Lemke, Executive Director, NW Furniture Bank, WA
• Jeremy Simler, Director of Development, NW Furniture Bank
• Matt Hageness, Director of Operations, NW Furniture Bank

45 days later…

While we discussed getting a virtual community moving, I was fortunate to secure the corporate support from Furniture Link Inc. (where we are now as you read this) to get the ‘virtual community going’. So here we are – the beginnings of a community that permit members to:

• Furniture Bank Round Table forum – where conversations around different topics can occur privately with other furniture bank members.
• Upload, download, share, comment and collaborate on documents and materials together
• Share research on measurement and impact
• Look at best practice examples from other communities to use in your own.
• Connect with Furniture Link when there are ‘free goods’ opportunities in your community through Furniture Link’s project.
• More to come as the community helps shape it.

So if you are a Furniture Bank in North America – please join – to get access. Its FREE for us, so no downside for us and our limited resources.

1. See the Members Map
2. Discuss at the Round Table
3. The North American Member List
4. Member Resource Center

Anyway much more to come, but wanted to highlight for the furniture banks out there, we’ve got a virtual community started. Where it goes from here we will see together.

Thanks, Bill, Dunetchka, Ray and your teams for a great Community Event.

PS. Any of your FB team members that would LOVE to join me in curating and improving the community website – do let me know!