Inese Boša

Fundraising and PR manager, Valmeiras Novada Fonds, Valmeira, Latvia, E-mail: inese.bosa@vnf.lv

What are your expectations from participating in this particular study trip to Germany?

I would like to know more about supported projects, qualities why they are choosed. Some examples, study trips to grantees, fundraising methods and events, relationships with municipalities, methods and examples of involving local people in community work, CF experience in western countries (success and challenges for them). Their relationship with board members and experience of keeping them motivated.
From the program I expect some time to catch up with the team, getting to know each other, understanding principles of CF (from all participant perspectives) and after we have got some background about each other – to have study trips (then we can concentrate on specific cases/experiences). It would be grate to have friendly, informal environment in group.

What specific questions related to your work or to CF practice do you ask yourself?

How can I persuade some to donate someone who believe that it is government responsibility to take care? How we can have more ambitious projects/ideas from locals? What is our product?

How may your participation in the CF study trip help advance your organization’s development plans?:

I would appreciate the possibility to explore and understand the CF situation in Germany. I would like to share criteria for supporting projects with my colleagues and board members, ideas of fundraising and publicity approaches of engaging citizens.

Where do you see european community foundations in 20 years?

Maybe a bit optimistic, but CFs are a natural part of communities. People aren‘t questioning „why?“ but „why there isn‘t and how we can have it?“

What are your favourite colour, your favourite meal or your favourite animal?

Green and orange, Latvian cold soup, dogs.

Last but not least, your favourite proverb. You can write it down in your mother tongue, but please try to translate the meaning into english:

A watched pot never boils.