My Nonprofit Reviews
elainec
Review for Orion Society, Gt Barrington, MA, USA
My introduction to Orion began several years ago as I was bird watching at a beaver pond near my house. A young man was there doing the same. He turned out to be on the staff of Orion. He was an expert birder and extremely knowledgeable about our community. For years, he has conducted bird walks which are open to the community. I have continued to participate in them over the years.
More significantly for me, he introduced me to Orion's bi-monthly magazine which has enhanced my knowlege of environmental issues. I have been a subscriber for over 15 years. It is beautifully written and illustrated as well as compelling and informative. Its stories, whether uplifting ,stories about people who have made a significant positive impact, or distressing, the disturbing realities about the state of some of our natural resources, are always enriching. I also turn to the Orion staff for information about ecological issues (e.g. to spray or not to spray, etc).
In addition to subscribing to Orion I regularly give subscriptions to friends. I always get positive feedback!
Orion makes a sigficant contribution to our community.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
see above
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
Review for Community Access to the Arts, Inc., Great Barrington, MA, USA
In 2007 I moved to Great Barrington and wanted to do something to contribute to the community. a friend told me that Community Access to the Arts provided an invaluable service to adults with disabilities by providing an outlet to express their creativity through the visual and performing arts. She also said that the director, staff and board were an incredible group of talented and committed people. I signed on as a volunteer in the program called CATA Direct which is basically a crafts cooperative. The clients create crafts which are sold in the community. I had never worked with people with disabilities before. Working with these people gave me a new appreciation for the limitations I had set in my own mind for what people with disabilities could do. It shattered many preconceived notions that I held. I formed relationships with people whose differences I learned to value and respect. I experienced the respect and compassion they had for each other. I get much more than I give for my work with this group. Also, there is so much appreciation and supportin the community for this organization, fueled by the amzing work of Sandy Newman, the executive director. Businesses are happy to support our work by carrying our products in their businesses. There is a great deal of support as well for our fundraising efforts. In 2008, I was asked to join the board and was honored to accept. As a board member I help plan fund-rasing activites, decide on various staff and budgetig issues, etc.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The results I've experienced have been the amazing art work that has come from the various workshops that CATA provides. There is an annual performance each year that is a fund-raiser which never fails to move me to tears.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The people that work for it are amazingly talented and committed people. They have become friends! I love the relationships I have with the clients.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful!!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Serve more people with disabilites in the community!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
