This is the second in a series about Blue Cross associates who support their community by serving on a nonprofit board.  

When you think about serving your community through volunteerism, there are many ways to give across a wide spectrum of commitment and skill level requirements. From basic sign-up and show-up volunteerism, where anyone can give their time, to skilled volunteerism and pro bono professional expertise —  all of these levels and types of service matter. Furthest along that spectrum is nonprofit board service, where strategic impact and commitment level are typically deepest and longer term.

As nonprofits consider the board members that might be the best fit for them, nonprofit organizational leaders consider various skills and experiences in their board selection process. In addition to the typical functional skills like finance, marketing and human resources, a nonprofit board is often seeking someone who understands and is passionate about their cause.

Minnesota demographics have changed, with increasing racial and ethnic diversity and growth in people who identify as multiracial. As these shifts occur, we at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota encourage our associates to be on the front lines of building healthier communities for all Minnesotans. We also believe that communities have the answer, and that they know best how to meet their needs. This was evident throughout our five-year Healthy Together Willmar initiative, which focused on listening to community, elevating their voices and responding to needs with innovative approaches.

That initiative, along with others, highlights how important is it for community voices to have a seat at the decision-making table. For people who identify as immigrants and refugees, their lived experience provides a unique perspective to contribute in collaboration with nonprofits who serve immigrants and refugees.

Serving on a nonprofit board matches community impact and a drive to give back

"I am a living example that the United States of America is truly the land of opportunity and I want to support that same experience for others.”

“I was 11 years old when I knew I wanted to come to America,” says Maria Kannankutty, implementation and strategic execution director, Medicaid, and an immigrant from Cyprus, an island nation in Europe. “I was attracted to the idea of America- a land with many options to take on new challenges, and, with hard work and tenacity, the opportunity for anyone to do well. I am a living example that the United States of America is truly the land of opportunity and I want to support that same experience for others.”

Maria serves on the board finance committee for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) , Minnesota’s only immigration legal services organization with statewide offices. The ILCM was looking for a board committee member with finance expertise, Maria’s personal experiences contribute to her ability to serve successfully on the board. “I could empathize with ILCM’s mission. There is so much to navigate when people migrate to a new country, and this type of support is essential,” says Maria. “I am deeply moved by the Statue of Liberty quote “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” because I believe it captures the essence of this country."

"This country was founded on the strength of immigrants and their families, and I believe that our future success will depend on our ability to continue to embrace them.”

Approximately 45 percent of the cases ILCM takes on come from greater Minnesota, where new census data shows that immigrants and refugees are keeping economies and communities alive and thriving.

As ILCM celebrates its 25th Anniversary on October 19, the need for their work has never been greater. In 2006, ILCM provided legal services in 1,266 cases. Since then, their caseload has tripled to 3,792 cases in 2020.

“We could not do the work we do without the support of our board and board committee members. As a nonprofit, we need ambassadors for our cause and expert advisors in areas from finance to communications to cybersecurity,” says Veena Iyer, executive director, ILCM. “In Maria, we’ve been so fortunate to welcome someone who finds every way possible to uplift our work with others and shares her financial and strategic acumen.”

Refugees and immigrants are community assets

“The American dream is real and tangible.”

“I joined the MORE board of directors because my parents were refugees,” says Foua Khang, government markets county and community liaison principal. “MORE helped my parents and grandparents learn English, and I wanted to give back to an organization that helped my Hmong community.”

MORE as started at a coffee table 30 years ago. Community members came together to create a safe space to talk about life, get connected with food and learn English. “The MORE approach to health equity is one of talking, listening, collaborating – hearing solutions and being a partner in community, rather than prescribing a solution,” says Foua.

Foua is quick to share that not a lot of people know what the word refugee means. Refugees, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), are people who are “fleeing armed conflict or persecution” and “for whom denial of asylum has potentially deadly consequences.” “Refugees—as opposed to immigrants—flee their home country and are resettled with little, if any, choice in where they initially live. After the initial resettlement period, refugees have the ability to move,” according to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 2021 Report on the Economic Contributions of Immigrants in Minnesota.

For Foua, her service on the MORE board has inspired her both as community leader and in her day job at Blue Cross. “Because of my personal life experiences and my work on the Medicaid team I am very connected to the stories of refugees and immigrants. Serving on the MORE board has inspired me to keep going and do more. I am conscious of my impact as a role model. How do I inspire new Americans to be a new American – how do I model patriotism and model the values of being an American?”

Foua operates from an asset-based approach, and economic research bears that out. According to the 2021 report on The Economic Contributions of Immigrants in Minnesota, “the success of Minnesota’s economy, both now and in the future, is intrinsically linked to Minnesota’s immigrant communities.”

Foua reaffirmed her viewpoint, “Minnesota is a welcoming and progressive state. We have an infrastructure that’s been working for 50 years, starting with Lutheran Social Services and many churches. At any given point if there is war in the world, the United States – and Minnesota – are often one of the first to accept refugees.”  And across our nation we can see from the current Afghanistan refugee crisis, similar commitment from past refugees who want to help the new Afghan refugees.

Board members are essential network weavers for social impact

Foua brings a deep commitment to cross-pollinating her community relationships and expertise. “Foua-Choua is an amazing ambassador for MORE and brings to our board of directors a passion for our mission resulting from a deep and precious understanding of the people we serve,” says Cathy Rucci, executive director or MORE. “She has an unparalleled ability to bring MORE together with other organizations in ways that benefit each partner but ultimately strengthen each organization’s capacity to support the community.”

A great example of her vision was Foua’s energy around MORE’s 2021 Run for Refugees. She not only participated herself, but she also engaged a Blue Cross team, raising awareness in the process.  “The refugee population is shaping the landscape of our local and statewide communities,” says Chris Reiten, vice president, Medicaid, and executive sponsor for the Blue Cross Run for Refugees team.

“Raising awareness and engaging associates in racial and health equity for refugees is something we care about and a part of our mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people we serve.”

“I signed up four members of my family, and we were excited to support the MORE Run for Refugees,” says Lin Nelson, chief lobbyist, public affairs, and running enthusiast. “Refugees and immigrants strengthen and enrich our communities. Everyone deserves a chance to live a safe and dignified life.”

 

Get involved

• Blue Cross is delighted to sponsor ILCM’s 25th Anniversary Virtual Gala, Tuesday, Oct. 19. Everyone is welcome to join.
• Blue Cross was proud to sponsor a 2021 Run for Refugees team in August. Join Team Blue Cross at MORE’s 2022 Run for Refugees.