Stepping Into the Town Square
A Reflection on United Way of Cass-Clay’s Annual Board Retreat
In September, the United Way of Cass-Clay Board of Trustees gathered for our Annual Strategic Retreat — a day of reflection, learning, and envisioning the future. As the newly appointed President & CEO, I felt immense gratitude walking into a room filled with leaders who are not only accomplished, but deeply committed to our community.
Looking Back to Where It All Began
We began the day by looking back to 1887 — a year of transformation. Minot, North Dakota became a city, the U.S. Senate approved the lease for Pearl Harbor, and Anne Sullivan began teaching Helen Keller.
That same year in Denver, during a time of deep social divides, a woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi gathered around a bold idea: to improve their community through cooperative action. From that humble meeting, a movement was born — one that became the Community Chest, then the United Fund, and eventually, United Way.
The Spirit of the Town Square
This convening reminded me of a “town square” moment. A “town square” isn’t just a physical space, it is a symbol of civic life. A place where diverse voices gather to listen, speak, imagine, and act. It is a space of trust, creativity, and consensus-building. That was the spirit of the original diverse group which gathered to change their community in 1887 and this was the spirit we used to kick off our 2025 retreat.
As stewards of our community, United Way of Cass-Clay convenes, listens, innovates, and leads…UNITED. Our retreat was a powerful reminder of this responsibility.
Listening to Our Community
A highlight of the day was our Community Insights Panel on the State of the Community, featuring voices from across the region:
• Chandler Esslinger, Executive Director of the FM Coalition to End Homelessness
• Chief Chris Helmick, Moorhead Police Department
• Adam Altenburg, Community & Transportation Analyst at FM Metro COG
• Jenn Faul, Director of Fargo Cass Public Health
• Maria Steen, Child Care Connections Director at CAPLP (Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership)
• Janelle LaCoursiere, Program Director at Great Plains Food Bank
• Dr. Jeremy Larson, Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Accountability for Moorhead Area Public Schools
• Dr. Jane Vangsness Frisch, Vice President of Workforce at FMWF Chamber of Commerce
Their insights painted a vivid picture of our region’s challenges and opportunities, from housing and hunger to public health, education, childcare, and workforce development. It was a true town square moment: diverse perspectives aligning around a shared vision for the common good.
Gaining Perspective and Imagining the Future
We also welcomed Alex Fike from United Way Worldwide and Alexa Haigh from United Way of Racine County, who brought a national and peer perspective on how local United Ways are adapting, diversifying, and reimagining philanthropy for the next generation.
Their insights sparked meaningful conversations about innovation and what it means to remain both deeply local and boldly forward-thinking.
Building What’s Next — Together
Interwoven throughout the day was a visioning workshop and an innovation session imagining the future we want for our community and United Way of Cass-Clay’s role. The ideas generated will help shape our strategic direction for 2026 and beyond.
As the day ended, I looked around the room and felt something powerful: unity. The kind that comes when people step into a shared space — a “town square” — ready to listen, dream, and act together.
To our Board of Trustees and Leadership Team – thank you for brining your voice, your vision, and your heart into this space. To our Verified Impact Partners, community partners and speakers: thank you for your candor, expertise, and leadership. And to our donors and volunteers – thank you for believing in what’s possible when we unite for good.
Together, we are shaping a future where every person in Cass and Clay counties has the opportunity to thrive.
Let’s continue to step into the town square — UNITED.
Sandi Piatz
President & CEO
United Way of Cass-Clay