Q. I’ve Never Heard of TCN, Are You New to the Area?
A. Although the history of our collaborative dates back to the 1960’s, it was in 2005 that two of the area’s strongest community partnerships decided to merge; the TriCounty Health Partnership and the Tri-County Interagency Consortium.  Leaders in the Health, Social and Environmental fields recognized a need to form a single, strong collaborative that would work to improve the quality of life for people in our region. The new organization that developed from this merger became known as TriCounty Community Network, or TCN.

Q. What is TCN’s Mission?
A. Our mission is to build relationships among organizations, community members and businesses through advocacy, information sharing and education to improve the health, social and environmental conditions within the TriCounty area.

 Q. How Can TCN Positively Impact the Entire Community?
A. Our network extends across the health, social and environmental sectors of this community. This means that all aspects of the community are represented as we identify community concerns and offer assistance to organizations, businesses and community advocates in addressing those concerns. In other words, our members alert us to the “hot issues” and we mobilize committees to address those issues.

Q.  So What Are the “Hot Issues” Today?
A. Our Program Committees are currently working on a range of issues that include safe dating among high school students, leadership qualities of tricounty youth, legislative issues affecting our community and more. Active committees include: B.U.S.Y. (Building Up Strength in Youth) Teens, Community Education, Domestic Violence, Home and Community Resources and the Legislative Committee.

Q. What Has TCN Accomplished?
A. Our finest accomplishment is providing the professional community a unique opportunity for networking and collaboration. Throughout the year, we organize Focus Group Discussions and General Membership Meetings open to the public. The fruit of these discussions often address community concerns; help eliminate duplication of services; contribute to collaborative fundraising; and more. Each year we also offer a variety of health events and youth programs. Our most recent accomplishment, The Mirror, Mirror Project, was achieved in partnership with Vagabond Acting Troupe and Pottsgrove School District. Read more about this project. 

Q. How Can TCN Help Me Further My Organization’s Mission or Support My Business?
A. As a TCN member, you are invited to attend monthly networking meetings where you can meet other socially responsible organizations; Attend community events where you will meet new clients/customers; Take advantage of free advertising space on our homepage and link to our website; Be listed in the tricounty area’s Where to Turn Guide and FirstCall Resource Center; Submit notices to our weekly e-newsletter with over 500 readers; Stay informed of ‘hot issues’ that arise in the community; Collaborate on ‘hot issues’ within your field of expertise.

Q. Is TCN Associated with the United Way?
A. TCN is a proud partner agency of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Together we provide FirstCall, a free, confidential information & referral service. Callers may contact us with questions about financial assistance, housing, local youth programs, parent support services, and more. We refer callers to hundreds of agencies/organizations and businesses in our region. Get answers to your questions at 610-705-3301.

Q. How Do I Become a Member of TCN?
A. All members must complete a membership application, pass reference checks and be approved by the general membership. We currently have more than 100 members and we constantly seek new members who are committed to solving the health, social and environmental issues within our community.  Organizational membership is diverse:  public, private, non-profit and for-profit organizations are welcome.  Individuals are also welcome and may be either professionals or lay members of the community. 

Q. What are the Membership Dues?
A. TCN Membership dues are $105 per person for Full Membership and $15 per person for Associate Membership.  An agency/organization or business may have as many Associate Memberships as they would like after having at least one Full Membership.  Dues are payable after your membership application is approved.  Dues are billed in July and annual payments cover the fiscal year from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. 

     
Q. How is TCN Funded and Held Accountable?
A. Funding comes from membership dues, the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, United Way SEPA, grant awards, fundraising and program fees. An active Finance Committee drafts the budget and submits a proposal for the board’s approval.  TCN is accountable to organizations from which we receive funds, including the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and the United Way SEPA.  A Form 990 is filed annually with the IRS.  TCN is registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

Q. How Can I Contact TCN?
A. Our office is located within the Montgomery County Aging and Adult Services office at 260 High Street, Pottstown, PA  19464. Contact us by phone at 610-705-3301, by fax at 610-705-3304 or by email at TCNetwork@verizon.net.

TriCounty Community Network is proud to be dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on race, gender, creed, color, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, national origin of ancestry and disability or handicap.