madisonmainstreet-blog

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Annual Gala Tickets

Annual Gala tickets can be purchased by following this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/madison-main-street-annual-gala-dessert-auction-tickets-91726836437

This year’s Main Street Annual Gala & Dessert Auction will celebrate Main Street’s 40th Anniversary. The event will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Red Bicycle Hall at 125 E. Main St. The event will begin with a Meet and Greet event with the new Main Street Director at 5:30 pm. Dinner service will begin at 6 pm and be followed by our award presentation and dessert auction.

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Looking for an Executive Director

Executive director position in Madison, Indiana, one of the original Main Street communities—a beautiful, quintessential Midwestern Main Street town with vibrant retail district and robust tourism market and arts district. Key responsibilities include: implementing annual strategic planning, work planning, and budget preparation; serving as the organization’s primary spokesperson to the membership, media, and general public; reporting to and working closely with the board of directors; managing volunteer committees; developing and maintaining positive relations with business and property owners; collaborating with other key civic and nonprofit partners at local, state, and national levels; developing and executing fundraising strategies to ensure the long-term stability of the organization. Excellent oral and written communication skills essential; must enjoy working with people and managing a strong pool of volunteers. Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred. Previous Main Street, downtown development, or non-profit management experience a plus. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Send cover letter and resume no later than Friday, June 28, to madisonmainstreetprogram@gmail.com. For a full job description, keep reading.

The Executive Director of Madison Main Street is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Board Governance. Work with board in order to fulfill the mission of the organization.

• Responsible for leading Madison Main Street in a professional manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors. • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

2. Financial Performance and Visibility. Develop resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.

• Responsible for fiscal integrity of the Madison Main Street organization, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements that accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization. • Responsible for fiscal management that operates within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains the organization in a positive financial position.

3. Organization Mission and Strategy. Work with board and volunteers to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and community outreach.

• Responsible for implementation of Madison Main Street projects that carry out the mission of the organization. • Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that Madison Main Street can successfully fulfill its mission in the future. • Responsible for the enhancement of Madison Main Street’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.

4. Organization Operations. Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are successful.

• Responsible for the effective administration of the organization’s operations. • Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into on behalf of the organization.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES • Implement annual strategic planning, work planning, and budget preparation. • Oversee successful implementation of the organization’s annual work plan. • Serve as the organization’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public. • Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state, especially the Main Street network, and use those relationships strategically to accomplish the organization’s mission. • Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors, seeking their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and increasing the overall visibility of Madison Main Street. • Collaborate closely with the City of Madison and other key nonprofit partners on goals and projects of mutual interest and benefit. • Manage and oversee the work of the organization’s volunteers. • Develop and maintain positive relations with Main Street business and property owners, communicating with them on a regular basis about Main Street’s mission, programs, and activities. • Oversee the organization of Board and committee meetings, preparing necessary reports and providing resources. • Oversee marketing and other communications efforts. • Review and approve contracts for services. • Attend professional development workshops and conferences related to Main Street and downtown revitalization. • Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience • Transparent and high integrity leadership • Nonprofit management experience preferred • Solid, hands-on budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, reporting, and decision-making • Strong organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation • Ability to convey a vision of Madison Main Street’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, and donors • Knowledge of fundraising strategies, grant writing, and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector • Collaboration and motivation skills with board members, other volunteers, and the general public • Volunteer management skills • Ability to interface with and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups • Strong written and oral communication skills • Strong public speaking ability • Strong computer skills, including graphic design • Ability to collaborate with co-workers and partner organizations

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Girl’s Weekend

Do you ever feel the need to get away for a few days? Leave the stress behind and get a chance to just have some fun? Then this event is for YOU! Grab a group of friends and head to Madison, Indiana for our Girl’s Weekend event. Here you can shop, dine, get creative, and let loose! Check out our event tab to learn more and get your tickets. This is going to be a great weekend!

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Why Should I Shop Small?

“It’s rainy today. I really need to get a birthday present for my mom. I know that she really liked some things in the local shops....BUT....if I grab my computer I can have something ordered and sent directly to my door in just a few days.”

Do you ever find yourself in this situation? Technology has made is SO easy to neglect our local businesses. We’re just a few clicks away from having almost anything we could ever need or want.

However, when we choose to spend our money online, our local economy sees no return. When shopping online, 0% of your money returns to your local economy. However, when you shop in a locally owned business, your local economy sees a return of 68%. That’s a HUGE difference! Furthermore, money spent at a local business generates 3.5x more wealth for the local economy compared to money spent at a chain-owned business.

If every U.S. family spent just $10 extra per month at a locally owned, independent business versus a national chain, over $9.3 Billion would be directly returned to our economy. 

As we begin to head into the holiday shopping season, consider what you have just read. Resist the urge to pursue the convenient. Instead, spend time in your local businesses. Get to know the people who work hard each and every day to ensure that you have quality shops in your community. You’re likely to find unique and one of a kind objects that will be even more special for your loved ones that what you would find from a large online retailer. 

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Music in the Park

Did you know that Music in the Park has been happening for over 20 years? This fantastic community event began in the 90′s as a way to celebrate the many successes of the Main Street Program, and we continue the tradition to this day. Music in the Park has since become a treasured downtown event. Community members and visitors alike look forward to these fun-filled concerts every year! 

This year, we have already completed three of our four concerts. We hope that you will join us on Friday, September 14th at the Broadway Fountain for our last concert of the season. Music will begin at 6pm, and go on until 9. We hope to see you there with your dancing shoes in tow!

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

What’s Happening on Mulberry Street?

Downtown Madison is in full swing as we begin to head into Summer! One thing that we are particularly proud of is Mulberry Street! If you haven’t had a chance to see it recently, be prepared for a BIG change. Eleven Mulberry Street buildings (between Main St. and Second St.) will be receiving a facade renovation over the next month thanks to a grant received by the Main Street Program from OCRA, and the ABC Communities competition. 326 and 324 Mulberry Street have already been completed, and it looks like a brand new building! (Keeping the historical integrity intact, of course!) Next on the agenda - The Central Hotel and Tavern. This iconic 4-building property is nearing it’s completion, and we couldn’t be more excited! See the Mulberry Street transformation unfold for yourself, and make time to visit these beautiful buildings. Things are looking a little brighter for Downtown!  

Here’s what Central looked like before:

Central in Progress:

Nearing Completion!

We are thrilled to have been able to play a part in helping to preserve this fantastic group of buildings! To see the finished product, head to Mulberry Street and see it for yourself! 

If you join us on Friday, July 25th from 5-8pm, we will be hosting a Mulberry Street block party where we will be showcasing the newly restored facades along this iconic block! See you there!

[madisonmainstreet-blog]

Welcome to the Main Street Beat

What is Main Street? Is it a road? A destination? A memory? An emotion? YES! Main Street is all of the above and SO much more. Main Street is obviously tangible, you can see it, touch it, smell it, and I suppose even taste it (but I might stay away from that one!). However, to me, Main Street is so much more than that, and it’s the intangible elements that have made such an impact on my life. Main Street is a sense that I belong, a feeling of welcome no matter how long I’ve been away, and taking pride in the city that I love. It is where I gather with my fellow community members to celebrate the highs, and mourn the lows. It’s fun, vibrant, and exciting. It’s a reminder of the history of our great nation, and just how far we have come. Main Street is much more than just a road; it’s a symbol of an illustrious past and a blossoming future. Main Street is where I feel at home. So, I pose a question to you: What is Main Street?