Networking is more than a professional obligation for me; it’s the best part of my job at Main Street Gettysburg. Networking lets me foster relationships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on goals and projects that serve a shared vision for Gettysburg. Each interaction presents an opportunity to expand my circle, forge new friendships, and support our thriving community.
I am fortunate to interact with a diverse array of individuals – from business owners, community leaders, and volunteers to elected officials and staff at every level of government. I enjoy meeting new people and unfolding conversations to find shared interests and mutual opportunities. Building relationships is a journey of commitment and communication that I thrive on.
Reflecting on my first month at Main Street Gettysburg in April 2021, I remember early pivotal introductions. One such experience was briefing Congressman John Joyce, M.D., about our strategic plan for Baltimore Street and the Gettysburg Welcome Center. His attentiveness and subsequent introduction to his staff highlight the importance of direct interaction and collaborative relationships between nonprofits and government entities. Similarly, encountering Senator Bob Casey at a local event in June 2022 provided an invaluable firsthand discussion. Senator Casey graciously paused his packed schedule to sit with me and review our Baltimore Street and Welcome Center plans. After that, at Casey’s urging, I maintained contact with his Pennsylvania regional manager, Ben Martin, who always responds promptly to my calls and correspondence.
Personal meetings are instrumental in effectively conveying our local initiatives, needs, and challenges to those capable of making solutions possible. The working relationships with Joyce and Casey paved the way for expanding my network to include Senator John Fetterman’s regional director. The dialogue with our federal officials led to an invitation to apply for FY2024 congressional funding for the Gettysburg Welcome Center Project. This bipartisan effort, supported by all three of our federal officials, underscores the power of collaboration in advancing shared objectives.
Throughout 2023, sustained liaison with federal, state and local stakeholders and private foundations, business groups and community organizations furthered our economic development initiatives. These efforts culminated on March 12, when Congressman Joyce personally notified Main Street Gettysburg of the Congressional Appropriation of $1.27 million to build the Gettysburg Welcome Center. I was delighted to have the opportunity to thank him personally. And I immediately communicated our gratitude to Senators Casey and Fetterman.
Thanks to these invaluable relationships and countless others, the Gettysburg Welcome Center is now fully funded for construction. We will continue our relationship journey to build an endowment fund for the future.
Main Street Gettysburg values our existing partners and friends and looks forward to networking to earn new ones. Together, we will build the Gettysburg Welcome Center and ensure its service to our community for generations to come.
Jill Sellers is the president and chief executive officer of Main Street Gettysburg. She lives in Adams County with her husband, Shane, and their two sons, Joshua, 19, and Caleb, 15.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.