Come Grow With Us: Okotoks Library Advocacy and Fundraising

Libraries must do advocacy and fundraising in order to grow in a time of change and opportunity as government funding at all levels tightens. The Board, Director, and Staff at the Okotoks Public Library created a Vision, wrote a fundraising policy, and then began to implement an active advocacy and fundraising campaign. They set up booths at events, met with community groups, planned and organized fundraisers, and worked with local councils and administration. Specific, practical ideas will be outlined during this workshop. Please bring your questions and ideas for advocacy and fundraising to share during the 10-minute discussion at the end of this session.
LORRAINE CATHRO After a 20-year university teaching career, Lorraine gained marketing experience as a sales representative for Scholastic Publishing and as an investment advisor at a brokerage firm. She now assists in advocacy and fundraising initiatives toward library expansion as a member of the Okotoks Public Library Board.
LARA GRUNOW is very passionate about creating a public library that is the hub for its community and believes that libraries can play an integral role in helping create happier, healthier communities. The key is ensuring that stakeholders, potential community partners, and local residents know how our collections, programs, and services can benefit them. That is why, as newly appointed Library Director, Lara makes a point of getting out of her office and into the community.
PAT COE has previous experience with fundraising and advocacy through a wide variety of volunteer and business activities. As a former volunteer and employee at the Okotoks Public Library, she now serves on the Library Board and is participating in advocacy and fundraising efforts for the expansion of the library.