Friendly Reminder: Stay Aware of Unusual Emails
Dear friends,
We wanted to take a moment to share a quick heads-up: a couple people have received unusual emails that appear to come from someone connected to the East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) but are not legitimate. While this kind of thing is unfortunately common these days, we’re keeping an eye on it and wanted to loop you in.
Here are a few good practices to keep in mind
Email Tips to Keep in Mind
- Double-check the sender’s email address before replying or clicking links;
- Be cautious of messages that seem overly urgent or ask for personal details or donations of any kind;
- When in doubt, feel free to reach out to us directly because we're happy to help clarify!
A Quick Note About Donations - we don't ask for them
Just a friendly reminder: ECRAC will never ask you for donations of any kind! As a designated regional arts council, we’re funded by the State of Minnesota and are here to serve our region with art grants and services, no fundraising or donations are ever required or requested.
We're grateful for the many ways you connect with ECRAC, and we’re here if you ever have questions or concerns about our communications or data privacy practices. Thanks for understanding and staying thoughtful and savvy.
All the best,
Mary Minnick-Daniels, Executive Director
East Central Regional Arts Council.
Contact me at: director@ecrac.org or by calling 320-336-0200 ext. 2
Reminders from past newsletters!
Let’s Do This Together!
Serving as a board member, grant application reviewer, or task force member with the East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) offers a wealth of benefits, not only to you but also to the broader community. Here are several ways you can gain from such a role:
Direct Community Impact
Leadership and Professional Growth
Networking and Relationship Building
Cultural Enrichment and Personal Fulfillment
Advocacy and Civic Influence
It’s a chance to:
- Learn more about how public arts funding works
- Strengthen your skills in evaluation and decision making
- Connect with others who care about the arts in Minnesota
- Receive a $55 stipend for each meeting
The time commitment is approximately 3-8 hours a month and includes:
- A live virtual onboarding training with ECRAC staff
- Independent reviews and scoring of art grant applications or nonprofit governance tasks
- Participation in evening virtual public meetings
What you will need:
- To be a resident, for at least 6 months, in Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs or Pine in east central Minnesota
- Internet access and the ability to join via Zoom
- A pdf of your artistic and/or your work + volunteering résumé is required since much of the work involves grant reviews
- Completion of this online form or submit the same information to director@ecrac.org
In sum, joining the team of the East Central Regional Arts Council allows members of the public to actively contribute to shaping the future of local arts, while gaining valuable skills, building influential networks, and enjoying the personal satisfaction that comes from making a difference in one’s community.
We welcome Region 7E residents with experience (or a desire to build experience) in the arts, nonprofit organizations, education, community programs, or related fields. You are matched with a grant review or board committee based on your background and interests.
Apply now to serve as an East Central Regional Arts Council Volunteer.
Entry Forms will be released soon!
