Agnes Buchanan, a board member at The Bridge at 211 interviewed Joselyn Yrayta-Mart, a former board fellow and now a fully elected board member, and Alexandra (Alex) Gaston, a current board fellow, about their fellowship experiences at The Bridge at 211 in Salem, Massachusetts. Read this blog post and interview to learn more about the board fellowship experience.
About The Bridge at 211
The Bridge at 211, a former church built in 1808, was given new life as a hub for artistic, cultural, and social events when it was incorporated in 2016. The board’s mission is to maintain and preserve an historic landmark as well as to support the community as an arts and service organization, a meeting place, and a partner to other groups. Our goal is to become a self-sustaining nonprofit and to hold up the legacy of the church, whose founders advocated for social justice for all and actively supported abolition, women's suffrage, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social reform movements.
Board Fellows Help Define Nonprofit’s Future
After a flurry of activity at the end of 2021, we decided, guided by professionals, to commit to defining our future as an arts and culture hub. While the pandemic took from us ($30,000 in income lost due to canceled events), it gave us the opportunity to reflect on what we’ve accomplished since we opened our doors. We decided the timing was right to take a close look at whether we could ensure our future as a self-sustaining arts center by becoming involved in a comprehensive adaptive reuse study.
The first phase of the study yielded a positive and encouraging outcome. We have now begun phase two, during which our consultants will explore options while developing a physical and business plan. Those results will help us to pinpoint the physical opportunities and limitations of the space as well as create a roadmap for the future. The studies we’re committed to are expensive, and we are exploring ways to pay for them. The entire board has been involved in looking for ways to do that, and both Joselyn and Alex have been instrumental in this work.
Interview
What inspired you to get involved with the Bridge at 211?
Alex: After moving from Texas to Massachusetts last year, I wanted to find a way to get involved in the local community. I was looking for an opportunity to learn more about leadership and board service, while also sharing some of the skills I gained from working in the startup and nonprofit sectors.
Joselyn: At the time I was living in Salem and wanted a way to collaborate with a mission oriented organization in my community--The Bridge at 211 fit the bill! It's been great to see the nonprofit world from another angle and has been helpful to see the "arts world” from a nonprofit perspective.
What attracted Alex to becoming a board fellow at the Bridge at 211?
Alex: After meeting with the board’s leadership and learning more about their vision for the future, I was thrilled to be invited to become a board fellow. The organization is at an important stage of growth and expansion, and it has the potential to provide a great service to the arts community in Salem. It has been exciting to be a part of this process.
What projects has Alex (the current board fellow) been working on with The Bridge at 211 Board?
Joselyn: Alex and I both worked on a detailed proposal for funding from the Mass Cultural Council that we filed in January. We’ve also been researching additional funding sources, and Alex is compiling a spreadsheet of potential funders and grants. We hope to be able to provide The Bridge at 211 with a comprehensive analysis of the funding opportunities aligned with their work.
Would you recommend that other nonprofit organizations get involved with the Net Impact Board Fellows program?
Alex: Absolutely! I have worked in the nonprofit industry for almost 5 years, and there's so much potential for board fellows to bring new ideas, skills, and perspectives to any nonprofit board. The Net Impact Board Fellows program brings together individuals looking for nonprofit and leadership experience with amazing organizations looking for the next generation of board members and volunteers.
Joselyn: For sure! It's an incredible program that connects individuals looking to give back to organizations. It's a great program that connects folks who would like to join boards with organizations that need them.
Impact of Board Fellows
Having Joselyn and Alex on the board has been a gift. Most of our board consists of former members of the church, so they’ve been involved since day one. Although it’s great to have that long-term shared memory and knowledge on the board, it’s also been helpful to have people there who offer a fresh perspective and bring new energy to our work. Both Joselyn and Alex have made that important contribution.
It’s been quite a journey bringing new life and purpose into this historic space and having the perspectives of Joselyn and Alex has facilitated that process. We would absolutely recommend other nonprofits get involved with the Net Impact Board Fellows program.
Anyone interested in the work that The Bridge at 211 does can visit our website www.thebridge211.org. We are engaged in our adaptive reuse study now but are always looking for volunteers. Inquiries should go to office@thebridge211.org.