By Rodney Earl Martin
NCCF Board Chair
I have been active member of the NCCF family for more than 20 years.
Like many, I discovered NCCF on the recommendation of my professional advisor. My wife and I were looking for tax-savvy ways to give back to our community and continue our family’s philanthropic tradition. Our professional advisor connected us with NCCF.
Over these 20 years, I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege of serving this organization and our great state as the founding chair of my local affiliate foundation board in Onslow County and the statewide board as vice-chairman and head of the grants committee, in addition to my current role as board chair. Our family donor advised fund with NCCF has given us (Patti, our two sons-and maybe their children someday) a permanent avenue to support our communities.
I’ve been a marine, a business owner and dedicated husband for more than 40 years, so I know a little something about long-term service and commitment.
To this day, I still believe that the affiliates are the body and the grants are the heart of this organization. That perspective has always, and will always, be the core of my commitment.
That’s what makes this organization special. NCCF is deeply rooted in North Carolina’s communities because of the people who come together to make up the NCCF and affiliate network. We succeed when we all work together.
As board chair, that is a mission I’m dedicated to.
I also believe that part of being a successful board chair is being an active board chair. It’s my honor to partner with the staff and other board members to ensure NCCF has the structure, governance and support necessary to continue this mission for many years to come.
Part of my role as board chair is doing my homework. I read everything, ask a lot of questions, gather as much information as possible, touch base with as many board members as I can and do my part to ensure my fellow board members can be a part of the dialogue in the meetings. Usually, that recipe leads to the necessary consensus for our board to be as effective as possible.
I take my duty seriously and believe in a hands-on approach to servant leadership. We all have our different styles of service but the most important thing is the commitment we all make to service. Our service makes our communities and state a better place. There’s no better place to accomplish that than NCCF.
It’s my hope that during my tenure as board chair I will have the opportunity to connect with as many of our dedicated affiliate board members, generous fundholders and nonprofit grantees as possible. We succeed when we all partner together in service. I hope you’ll join me.