In The News: Nancy Johnshoy — She’s Always Looking To The Future

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She’s always looking to the future

Johnshoy enjoys planning and fund raising for non profits

The Business News August 4, 2008 Betty Wall Text Amanda Lauer Photography

Nancy Johnshoy enjoys the challenge of a new volunteer initiative. Although she has worked on many fund raisers, she is always most excited about future projects. The vice president and senior market manager for Nicolet National Bank in Appleton, Johnshoy often finds herself helping nonprofits by offering her financial expertise. “A lot of times, I am asked because a group is looking for someone to help a treasurer or to help monitor the financial side of an organization,” Johnshoy said. “That’s really where my talents lie, and where I can bring the most experience and value to an organization. So, that’s usually where I end up.” She is excited about a new project that is in the early stages for the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley. Johnshoy is treasurer and in-coming board president for the Club, which is located in a renovated warehouse space in Appleton. “We are currently in the early stages of looking at the needs and planning for expansion and renovation of the Boys and Girls Club,” she said. “Right now, we have more than 300 kids in a space that was designed for 200. One of the most exciting things about that project is that we will be adding a Teen Center to give those kids ages 13 to 18 a place of their own that is specifically designed for teens.” “We’re just getting started and looking at what we need and what the costs will be,” Johnshoy said. “We’ve been having a lot of conversations with community people and giving tours of our facility. It takes a long time for projects like that.” She said they are hopeful the expansion will be completed in the next few years. “When we cut the ribbon on that new facility and

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Nancy Johnshoy serves as chairman of the board for the Community Blood Center. She is also treasurer and incoming president for the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley.

we can accommodate those kids, that will be my proudest moment,” Johnshoy said. “I don’t look back. I like to move on and look at what will be accomplished in the future.” Johnshoy works at the Appleton branch of Nicolet National Bank, which is headquartered in Green Bay and also has branches in Marinette, Menominee, Crivitz, and De Pere. Johnshoy said she appreciates working for an organization that places a high priority on community involvement. “We have a very strong culture of involvement, not just with money but also with time and people and talent. It is a very important part of our fabric, and I am very thrilled about that.” Johnshoy is chairman of the board for the Community Blood Center, which is affiliated with the American Blood Association, a network of blood providers. The Blood Center provides blood collection for

She’s always looking to the future | The Business News August 4, 2008

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16 hospitals in a multi-county area that includes Appleton, Neenah, Oshkosh, and as far as Antigo. She said construction is currently under way on an expansion project for the Blood Center.

“If you can’t make the commitment to be on a board, you can volunteer on a more limited basis for an event or a short term project. Most people can find time to do something. We all have gifts to share.

Johnshoy is past president for the Appleton Library Foundation, she serves on the ThedaCare finance committee, and is a member of Kings Daughters, a service club.

“I get so much satisfaction out of it. I gravitate toward what I’m good at, which is working on the financial side.”

Active in Appleton Downtown Rotary, she served as chair for the fund-raising campaign for the Multicultural Center. “It was a cooperation of all the Rotary clubs in the area, and lots of people were involved in that project,” Johnshoy said. The Multicultural Center, located near the Harmony Cafe in Appleton, is a place where cultural organizations can share office space and staff. It also allows various groups to provide programming together.

Johnshoy said she enjoys meeting people when she volunteers. “Through my volunteer activities, I have met a lot of really wonderful people whom I consider great friends. She said it’s important to make a commitment. “If you’re going to do it, you have to take it seriously and really get involved,” she said. “Nonprofit organizations really need people who are passionate about what they’re doing.”

When we cut the ribbon on that new facility (Boys and Girls Club) and we can accommodate those kids, that will be my proudest moment. I don’t look back. I like to move on and look at what will be accomplished in the future.

When it comes to volunteering, Johnshoy believes that “when you go on a board of a nonprofit group, you have to be available and be very involved. You should know the requirements up front and make sure you can provide what the organization needs,” she said. “Most nonprofit organizations need worker bees on their boards. To make it rewarding for both you and for the organization, you must be willing to work.

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She’s always looking to the future | The Business News August 4, 2008