Nick Is Proud To Be Part Of CIS Team

In the fall of 1959 – nearly 60 years ago – Communities In Schools (CIS) of Northwest Michigan board member Nick Edson started his Mancelona journey that continues to this day.  “I’m a die-hard Ironman and I’m proud to be part of this CIS team,” he said. “When I got the chance to join the board three years ago, I jumped at the opportunity. To see the difference our CIS staff makes in the day-to-day lives of kids and families is amazing.”

Nick is a retired writer, working 25 years as sports editor of the Traverse City Record-Eagle and 15 years as editor of Country Lines Magazine, a product of Cherryland Electric Cooperative.  “It was during the time I was at Cherryland that I was given the opportunity to serve on various boards that helped people,” he said. “So I was a Big Brother for 14 years and was on the board of the Grand Traverse YMCA, Rotary, NMC Scholarship Committee and several others.”

When he retired three years ago, he joined two boards – CIS of Northwest Michigan and Arts for All, a group that advocates for physically and emotionally handicapped youth and adults.   “It’s been a great experience,” said Nick. “The CIS board is made up of positive, caring people. And I can’t say enough about the CIS team. We went to a state-wide conference in Lansing last year and it was clear to everyone that Amy Burk, our executive director, was the go-to person in the room and that our CIS of Northwest Michigan  group was the one that people looked to as the model.”  Nick looks forward to the continued growth of CIS as it expands into more schools and communities.

He and his wife Lois have three children – Amy, Christopher and Kelli – and two grandchildren. They like to travel and get together with friends and family.