In a powerful demonstration of dialogue and connection, the Collaborative Board, a combination of agencies dedicated to fulfilling their purpose of collaboration successfully hosted its Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The event brought together a diverse group of professionals, leaders, and organizational representatives to reflect on the progress made over the past year and set strategic goals for the future.

Held at the First Presbyterian Church in Bradford, the meeting provided a dynamic platform for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and explore new opportunities. As the Collaborative Board continues to focus on developing collaborative solutions that strengthen well-being for all and community development, the meeting highlighted the importance of collective action and mutual support in tackling shared challenges.

The Annual Meeting included a series of interactive sessions, where participants brainstormed solutions to pressing issues and identified key priorities for the coming year. Among the key objectives discussed were strengthening cross-agency collaborations to enhance resource sharing and maximize community impact, developing innovative strategies for addressing emerging local challenges, increasing community engagement through collaborative initiatives that empower local stakeholders, and fostering sustainability and equity in all initiatives, ensuring that progress benefits the community equally.

In addition to goal setting, the meeting provided ample opportunities for networking, allowing representatives from different agencies to build new relationships and explore connections. Attendees took part in structured networking sessions, roundtable discussions, and informal exchanges designed to promote a spirit of collaboration and mutual learning.

The Annual Meeting serves as a critical time for our collective community to align our priorities, share insights, and deepen our partnerships. By working together, we are able to amplify our efforts and discuss goal setting for an even more impactful year ahead.

The Collaborative Board will continue to drive progress and innovation in the coming year, focusing on key initiatives such as housing and homelessness concerns, staffing crisis within our agencies and local businesses, healthcare needs, and more. As the group prepares to embark on its next chapter, the collaborative spirit fostered at the Annual Meeting will be a guiding force in achieving shared success.

For more information on the Collaborative Board, upcoming meetings or events, or to learn how to get involved, please contact the Convener, Jenn Douglass, at jdouglass@guidancecenter.net or (814) 362-6536.

The McKean County Collaborative Board is a coalition of agencies, organizations, professionals, and local businesses dedicated to developing collaborative solutions that strengthen well-being for all. Our mission is to “Identify and respond to community needs by providing opportunities for collaboration” with a focus on resource sharing, networking, community outreach, increasing healthcare access, etc. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and collective action, we aim to create lasting positive changes in our community.