Forty Years and Counting...
Region 5 community celebrates shared success and looks to the future
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Over 200 people gathered at National Joint Powers Alliance® (NJPA) on Tuesday to celebrate decades of shared regional success.
During the event's formal program, Stephen Jones, superintendent from Little Falls Community Schools provided a brief overview of his district’s history with NJPA’s Education Solutions team. Jones has been a key regional player in helping shape NJPA’s current programming and services for area schools.
“What NJPA does for Region 5 kids, for Region 5 adults, for Region 5 families is phenomenal,” says Jones. “You are part of something truly, truly special here at NJPA. And as my fellow superintendents, and administrators throughout this region know, we are dang lucky to be part of this. Thanks for what you do for Little Falls Schools, but most importantly, our kids in Region 5.”
Kara Terry, Crow Wing county community services director, and Cheryal Lee Hills, Region 5 Development Commission executive director also shared their organization’s experiences as members and partners of NJPA. Each gave attendees a glimpse at the regional collaboration and teamwork of the past few years.
Members of NJPA's leadership team reciprocated the appreciation for members and partnerships.
Paul Drange, director of regional services, credits area schools, local government, and organizations for dreaming big and trusting NJPA with those ideas.
“Without our local and regional members, we wouldn't be providing the services we are,” says Drange. “They really bring to us the ideas and innovation and we just help fuel that in a partnership that brings those to fruition.”
Dr. Chad Coauette, executive director/CEO says he looks forward to seeing what else we can do within the region.
“Today is a chance to thank the region for all the support they've given us over the years and all the things to come in the future,” says Coauette. “We’re excited about continuing to partner with our members, to listen to where their needs and challenges are and work with them to come up with some innovative solutions to help cities, counties, and school districts to really build on community and student success.”
In addition to celebrating accomplishments, attendees also caught a glimpse of some future changes and exciting things coming this summer. NJPA Director of Marketing Travis Bautz gave a short summary and sneak peek at brand changes that will be official as of June 6, 2018.
“It was super fun hearing the stories of how we've worked together to come to this moment in our shared history and we couldn’t be more excited about this change because this brand change is really going to reflect who we want to be for you, our members,” says Bautz. “Every era in this organization’s history has been marked by a change in branding that really reflects our mission. Going forward, we’re going to continue to increase our services and connectivity to our members. You’ve got a building full of people that are inspired by the work you’re doing in your communities and who are dedicated to being an important source for you in that work. Our new brand and name reflect that commitment.”
Sourcewell (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance) is a self-supporting government organization, partnering with education, government, and nonprofits to boost student and community success. Created in 1978 as one of Minnesota's nine service cooperatives, we offer training and shared services to our central-Minnesota members. Throughout North America, we offer a cooperative purchasing program with over 200 awarded vendors on contract. Sourcewell is driven by service and the ability to strategically reinvest in member communities.