On Monday, June 8, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network recognized Big Sister Association of Greater Boston with an award for excellence in Nonprofit Management. The organization was chosen from more than 100 nonprofit nominations to receive one of seven awards. Last year, Governor Patrick signed into law and officially recognized Nonprofit Awareness Day as an annual event, celebrated on the second Monday in June. One year later, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), a statewide association of nonprofit organizations that supports the nonprofit sector through advocacy, public awareness, and capacity building, commemorated the day with the first ever annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards. After receiving nominations from many commendable individuals and organizations, the winners were selected and received their awards on Monday, June 8 at a State House Ceremony. During the event, Governor Patrick stated, “I value the awards and your contributions,” while signing the legislation, which included a proclamation by the House of Representatives. Furthermore, while commenting on the current fiscal situation, Governor Patrick declared:
We will do and continue to do all we can, having to make those very, very difficult decisions.
Let me say to you, for what comfort it may be, that I know that things are not abstractions. I understand that they are for some individual, some family, whose best chance – or only chance – is behind every single one of those line items we are dealing with.
We are at the receiving end of the very important services that you provide… If there are ways that we can help convene, if there are ways through the awards, for example – and congratulations to all of you – that we can lift up the value of the contributions that you make.
But I know that together we can and we will build a stronger Commonwealth. We will see the fiscal situation restored and thriving again and we have to do what we can right now, together, to keep this network in place and intact so that we are as strong as possible to take advantage of the return when it comes. So I want to thank you, I want to honor you, I want to also give you…a commemorative copy of this very important piece of legislation.
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston was chosen to receive the award for excellence in Nonprofit Management based on creation and implementation of a culture that guides the daily practices of the entire staff in both internal and external relationships. Additionally, the award recognized that the organization’s management efforts produced significant positive outcomes in reducing expenses while maintaining and even growing Big Sister’s services to Greater Boston’s girls in 2008. “We are proud to receive this significant recognition from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network,” said Deborah Re, Big Sister’s chief executive officer. “The culture of our agency is what anchors our work and allows us to provide the most beneficial mentoring relationships to our City’s girls.”
