Community Tadbitz: By the numbers CLB Champion

Running a not-for-profit organization is a tremendous undertaking that takes a team of dedicated individuals to oversee the organization’s continued success.

This week, I sat down with Shannon Konsmo to discuss her role within the Community Lunch Box Society. Her role is a pivotal one.

For the past two years, she has held the role as the Community Lunch Box treasurer, her invaluable work with the program has been monumental, stating that she previously specialized in working with non-profit organizations.

The transition, she added, was an easy one.

“There is a special set of rules for looking after the financial aspects of a nonprofit,” she said.

“Part of my job is educating other board members on proper procedures, organizing fundraisers, etc.”

Konsmo stressed one of the ongoing challenges the Community Lunch Box still faces is fundraising and open communication.

“It’s a perpetual thing, having recently attaining our charitable status will help with that. I believe that by liaising and engaging our local government to make ourselves heard and understood,” said Konsmo.

“It will help us move ahead into the new century and move into the future, which will enable us to be self-sustainable for generations to come,” she said.

“It was a great feeling of accomplishment when the Community Lunch Box Program got approved for a mortgage to build the Community Support Center. We are basically a responsible organization providing an important service to the community. It’s a great organization to be a part of,” Konsmo said.

Konsmo described herself as type A personality that wants to be a type B. “I’m driven, but laid back with a humorous outlook on life. I’m a geek, not a computer geek, mind you but a fantasy book kind of geek,” she said.

“I’d love to sleep for a week but I can’t, especially this time of year. My brain tells me no, It’s 3 in the morning.”

Her entrepreneurial spirit is further evidenced by the fact that she has her own accounting business and her desire to be self-sufficient. In her downtime, Shannon enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and would like to travel around the world, one day.

Shannon Konsmo, treasurer of the Community Lunch Box Society, plays a pivotal role in the non-profit organization.