Nonprofit Leader Intersects with Presidential Candidate on Nonprofit Issues

NH Nonprofit leader, Cynthia Mills, President and CEO of the Tree Care Industry Association, had the recent opportunity to pose questions about the impact and future of nonprofit sector to Presidential Candidate Arkansas Governor Mike Hukabee during a house party. At one point in the discussion Huckabee asked everyone in the room to raise their hand if they had an experience with the nonprofit sector and all hands were raised. 

Here is her account of the opportunity:

 “The Nonprofit Primary Project got the FIRST question selected with press, and voters present  (Sunday August 19th) during a house party with  Governor Huckabee. Governor Huckabee is now second in the Iowa straw poll.

 I had the opportunity to pose our questions and statistics (see questions below) to Governor Huckabee.  He immediately linked back to what he had said in his message about the strength of America coming from the people; mentioned his former participation in the United Way and the Cancer Society and church along with other organizations.  Governor Huckabee spent about 5 minutes talking about how important this sector (nonprofit) is and then did something that really drove our message home.  He asked everyone present to raise their hands if they had been affected by a little league coach, etc. - someone who had not been paid but had had a profound influence on them.  Almost every hand in the room went up - a bold visual of our message, which he noted......and then he reiterated the power again that comes from volunteers who are making our nation strong.

After the Question & Answer segment, I had the opportunity to speak with the Governor, reiterating that there are 7000 of us (nonprofits) in the State.  I told him that our community would like to meet with him and that I was happy to help make that happen for him.  He indicated very sincere interest and mentioned volunteer work that this wife was involved in.  I gave him my card and told him that if he wanted to pass that on to his advance team, they were welcome to contact me.

Onward we go together! Cynthia Mills President & CEO TCIA, the Tree Care Industry Association"

The three questions Cynthia asked Governor Huckabee and the Nonprofit Primary Project Initiative is posing to all candidates are: 

Give us a personal reflection on how you’ve interacted with a nonprofit or the role that a nonprofit organization has played in your life or career?
How would you strengthen the economic and social capacity of the sector?
How would you partner with us to achieve your vision for America?