Advertisement
Erickson retired a year ago after working at the Boys & Girls Club for 41 years. While there, he was involved with fundraising for the seven area clubs, training and recruiting staff, organizing special events, marketing, budgeting and developing the strategic plan for the club.
“Over the years, I think I was involved in most everything,” Erickson said.
Erickson, who was selected in June to run the all-volunteer organization, was chosen, committee members said, because of his strong ties to the area.
“We thought, with his name recognition, he would have instant impact,” said Andrew Wieser, who was on the committee. “With his contacts, we were hoping to get our name out there using his name.”
Since his retirement, Erickson has been searching for a part-time commitment where he could use some of
the skills he fashioned while working at the Boys & Girls Club.
“I was looking for something to maybe use my experience, contacts and networking, and to do something part time to make an impact in the community and the school district,” he said. “This seemed to fit with what I was looking for.”
Erickson said he hopes to provide leadership for the group by setting direction for budgeting and fundraising, as well as a vision for what the foundation will look like in coming years.
“A main priority will be to market this foundation throughout … Hokah and La Crescent and make sure people are aware of what this foundation can do to support the students and the staff,” he said. “With the increased budget issues and constraints in the operating dollars to support the school district, I think there’s going to be need for outside support, and that’s where the foundation comes in.”
Erickson is impressed with what’s already been established, as far as the board and its fundraising efforts.
“The volunteer board has done a really good job of putting the foundation in place,” he said. “Now it’s my job to take it from the level it’s at … and make more of an impact in the school district.”
Ryan Henry is editor at the Houston County News.
