The Newton Community Educational Foundation has been a quiet force inside and outside of Newton’s schools for a number of years.
NCEF partners with the alumni association to present the annual reunion weekend every June, provides teachers with minor grants, less than $2,499, and major grants, more than $2,500, every year.
However, the organization is perhaps best known for annually selecting one teacher from every building to be awarded the Excellence in Education Award during the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Chamber Dinner.
With a growing endowment and plans to add more activities to its slate, the nonprofit organization is reaching out to the community to find a part-time director, said Abby Lamont, NCEF board president.
“We need a little bit of help with organization and someone who can be the face of NCEF,” Lamont said. “With our speaking engagements, presentations and just getting us on track for the upcoming events that we have, and other board engagements.”
Lamont said they are hoping to find someone with experience in education, nonprofits or experience on other boards.
NCEF has gone with and without a part-time director throughout the years, but Lamont and the rest of the board feels the time is right to bring the position back.
The person who is hired would only be expected to work 10 to 20 hours a month. Lamont has been filling the role while NCEF awaits the new hire and she says the position is very fulfilling for people who love to be involved in the educational process.
“It is an absolute reward to see the money going back into the school district. We have given away over $16,000 this entire year alone in grant money,” Lamont said.
She said that recent NCEF grant funds have done everything from providing supplemental reading resources for students to providing grief baskets for students that have lost a loved one.
“That’s the feel good part of it. It’s giving away money that goes directly back into our school system. It’s one of the most rewarding boards that I have ever sat on and it’s why I don’t ever leave,” Lamont said.
Interested parties for the position may contact Lamont via email at lamonta@newton.k12.ia.us.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6532 or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.