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United Way does more than support and allocate funds to local nonprofits, as well as collaborate on community projects/programs and fill individual needs. Another initiative is providing learning opportunities to local nonprofits and organizations. On Nov. 10, at The Atlantic Venue in downtown Tullahoma, the United Ways of Franklin Co and Hwy 55 will introduce the “Thriving United” Workshop.

“We are excited to partner with United Way of Franklin Co to provide this workshop. Jeannie Amacher has been the dedicated Director at UW of Franklin Co for over 20 years,” Ashley Abraham, Director of United Way of Hwy 55, stated. “It has been a joy to work with her on this event. We wanted to provide an educational and networking opportunity for the nonprofit community. Thank you to the three speakers that will be teaching simplified marketing strategies and grant writing skills. We hope to fill the room with many organizations eager to learn and network. Many local nonprofits share resources, communicate, and work together. We are thankful to have a wonderful, active community with generous hearts.”

Jeannie Amacher, Director of the United Way of Franklin Co added, “Thriving United is a wonderful opportunity to bring two communities together under one roof for the purpose of enriching our skills as nonprofits and businesses. United Way of Franklin County is proud to partner with United Way of Highway 55 in this endeavor.”

The workshop will include “Marketing Simplified” with John Fletcher as the speaker. John “Bull” has 25 years of Marketing experience and 15 years in marketing and brand management in the entertainment business. Additionally, he has fifteen years’ experience in corporate, small business, and event marketing. ‘Bull’ is a consultant, small business owner, and project manager as well. Business accounts he has worked with include Common John Brewing Co, Universal Records, Interscope Records, Rooster 101.5, Experience TN Tourism, The Dusty Elam Foundation, and many more.

Our next speaker will be Pam Barnes talking about Marketing Branding and Website Building. She enjoys working with people and businesses to construct a creative and effective plan. Her experience includes Web design & development, Branding, Pay Per Click Advertising, Logo Design, Business Print Designer, Social Media, Email Marketing and more. Pam began her career in the nonprofit community and now is the owner/operator of Marketing Navii, which supports companies no matter where they are to where they wish to be.

Tabatha Curtis will be instructing on Grant Writing, which can be a complicated and intimidating process. Curtis is the former Director of the Franklin County Prevention Coalition. She has over fifteen years of experience working in the field of prevention and over thirty years of experience in working with youth and families. Curtis has extensive knowledge and experience in the outcomes-based SPF planning process and was a coalition coach for the Partnership for Success grant for the state of Tennessee. She has served as a grant peer reviewer for the state of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Drug Free Communities Grant program. Most recently Curtis has been employed by the Tennessee Dangerous Drug Task Force as the Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children statewide coordinator. Curtis is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, a graduate of the CADCA Academy, a National Drug Endangered Children trainer, National Drug Endangered Children Alliance executive board member and a Level II Certified Prevention Specialists.

The final speaker for “Thriving United” will be Ashley Gillentine Wright which will speak about ‘Media Relations 101’. She a Warren County native and has over twenty years of experience in marketing and public relations. She is currently the Assistant Manager at McMinnville’s Historic Park Theater. Mrs. Wright serves on the boards of the Tennessee District Exchange Clubs, United Way of Highway 55, the Black History Museum of Warren County and Families in Crisis. Ashley is president of the Exchange Club of Warren County, is a founding member of McMinnville Young Professionals and is a co-founder of Warren County’s Aunt Flo Initiative. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys traveling and is a self-professed foodie. She is a proud graduate of MTSU and lives in McMinnville with her husband, Seth.

The “Thriving United” Workshop will be on Nov. 10 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The Atlantic Venue. This is a free workshop for the nonprofit community to learn and network. A light breakfast will be provided and boxed lunches by Buffalo Wild Wings in Tullahoma. They ask to arrive at 9:15 a.m.

To register, go to highway55unitedway.org/non-profit-assistance-clinic, call UW of Hwy 55 at 931-455-5678 or UW of Franklin County at 931-308-7308. Further questions can be sent to Abraham at director@highway55unitedway.org.

“Please take advantage of this opportunity and we look forward to seeing you at the event,” Abraham said.