Dr. Theresa Ricke -Kiely Nonprofit Leadership and Development February 17, 2011
Nonprofit World January/February/March 2016
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Transcript of Nonprofit World January/February/March 2016
NonprofitWorld Advancement
Through Sharing
volume 34 bull number 1january february march 2016 first quarter
Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right DiagnosisINSIDE bull The Best Leaders Are Change Agentsbull The Story Behind the Numbersbull The Reverse Peter Principle at Workbull The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
bull Success through Engaged High-Level Board Membersbull Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement bull 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney bull Planning for Digital Longevity And much more
Published by the Society for Nonprofits
copy 2015 National University SEC15_3262
SANFORDINSTITUTEOFPHILANTHROPYORGMASTERSSTART TODAY (844) 225-6681 OR LEARN MORE
Your cause competes with 1507231 tax-exempt organizations
The Master of Arts in Cause Leadership is designed for the mid- to upper-level
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and application The program is designed to educate leaders to create shared vision
attract and retain resources and gain the ability to develop others throughout the
organization and community
We can teach you the fundraising skills to make your cause stand out Earn your Masterrsquos in Cause Leadership
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Your Workforce Hero
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If you are a 501(c)(3) organization with 10 or more employees you may qualify for significant unemployment cost savings with the UST Program When you join you automatically get access to
Get a FREE unemployment cost savings analysis at
ChooseUSTorgNPworld
2emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Anything that goes for your paid staff goes for your volunteers too of course Thatrsquos just common sense ndash although common sense often flies out the windows when it comes to volunteers as Susan Ellis explains in ldquoCommon-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvementrdquo (page 12)
While you may be effective on your own you can increase your potency by forming partnerships with others ldquoThe Best Leaders Are Change Agentsrdquo (page 21) reinforces the importance of working together with a relentless determination to achieve results Thatrsquos the best way to reverse the Peter Principle build a high-performing organization and lead with joy and purpose
Jill Muehrcke JillNonprofitWorldorg
Everyone in the nonprofit sector has experienced it The Peter Principle is as discouraging frustrating and demoralizing as it is common
Nonprofit workers who are great at what they do frequently end up as managers even though management isnrsquot their strong point Thatrsquos the essence of the Peter Principle Excellent workers keep getting promoted till they end up in jobs they donrsquot care about or do well
Therersquos a remedy for this familiar problem Apply the Reverse Peter Principle In other words be a doer as well as a leader
Even after you start leading others continue to do some of the things you love That way you can pass on your passion to the people you lead and keep yourself from burning out (Take a look at ldquoHow to Avoid Burnoutrdquo on page 27)
Ask yourself What is it you truly love to do What brought you to the nonprofit sector in the first place Was it working with clients Then keep working with them Donrsquot stop just because yoursquore also a leader
Continue to get out in the field and renew your passion Then carry it back to inspire others Thatrsquos how yoursquoll keep enthusiasm for your organizationrsquos mission
Hiring for passion rather than management skills is a key leadership principle for Tracy Dolgin CEO of Yes Network When recruiting managers he looks for doers he explains in a New York Times interview with Adam Bryant Instead of looking for management experience he seeks people who are the best at their particular job Then he encourages them to continue to do that job in addition to their management work
Rather than subsuming peoplersquos personal dreams in pursuit of team-building great leaders take time to coach support and encourage each team member as an individual They understand that when people feel free to pursue their passions theyrsquoll give more to the group as a whole Thatrsquos what makes a powerful ensemble as ldquoIs There an lsquoIrsquo in lsquoTeamrsquordquo (page 28) makes plain
Leaders who take a strategic view of human resources have the best chance of success They understand the need to infuse personnel principles with the organizationrsquos mission values and credo to keep motivation high (Turn to ldquoDeveloping Your Organizational Teamrdquo and ldquoBuilding Priderdquo on page 24)
Itrsquos only natural that those who are passionate about their work are also joyful resilient (check out ldquoHow Resilient Are Yourdquo on page 27) and curious continually seeking answers ldquoThe art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledgerdquo as Thomas Berger would have it Ask questions of yourself every day Make sure your staff and board members are constantly querying themselves too (ldquoIs Your Board Asking the Right Questionsrdquo on page 26 is a good place to start)
editorrsquosemsppage
The Reverse Peter Principle at Work
ldquoBe a doer as well as a leaderrdquo
Four Things to Do Next MondayHere are some concrete things you can do right away to improve your organization
1 Put into practice at least one of the countermeasures to the ldquodeadliest fundraising mistakerdquo discussed on page 8
2 Ask yourself whether all your board members are as engaged in your organization as they can possibly be See ldquoSuccess through Engaged High-Level Board Membersrdquo on page 5
3 Choose one of the items under ldquoSteps to Takerdquo on page 21 and plan to put it into action
4 Decide whether your board shows any of the common problems detailed in ldquoHealing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosisrdquo (pages 16-20) If so apply the treatments suggested to solve them
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 3
NONPROFIT WORLDEditorenspJill Muehrcke
SOCIETY FOR NONPROFITSPresidentenspKatie Burnham LavertyMembership DirectorenspJason Chmura
Board MembersJon S BluthArchon Strategy ConsultingBethesda MDDiane M HultsClient CFO at Apparatus SolutionsSouthfield MichiganKatie Burnham LavertySociety for NonprofitsTemecula CaliforniaAndrew Schiff Managing Director United Capital of Bethesda Bethesda MD
Editorial Advisory Board MembersJason ChmuraMembership Director Society for NonprofitsLivonia MichiganSusan J EllisPresident Energize IncPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy GoodHabitat for Humanity of Dane CountyMadison Wisconsin
Tangie NewbornPresident Immense Business SolutionsWashington DCTerrie TemkinPrincipal CoreStrategies for NonprofitsMiami Florida
C Terrill ThompsonCTThompson ConsultingPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy Sample WardCEO NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network)Portland Oregon
PublisherThe Society for Nonprofit OrganizationsPurpose The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Through Nonprofit World and other communications with its members the Society is dedicated to bringing together those who serve the nonprofit world in order to build a strong network of professionals throughout the country
NONPROFIT WORLD is published quarterly at the subscription price of $79 per year by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations Single copies are available prepaid at $25 per copy NONPROFIT WORLD is available at no charge to members of The Society for Nonprofit Organizations To subscribe or to become a member of the Society write The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Telephone 734-451-3582 Organizational Membership $150 Individual $69 E-Membership $49 Organizational members may purchase additional memberships for their board staff and volunteers at $25membershipyear Change of address Send both new and old address with mailing label if possible to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Allow six weeks for corrections No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission All rights reserved Copyright copy The Society for Nonprofit Organizations ISSN 8755-7614 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 E-mail infoNonprofitWorldorg Web page nonprofitworldorg
ARTICLES
16 Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosis
By Jim Mueller Herearefourofthemost
commonboardproblemsndashandhowtosolvethem
21emsp emspThe Best Leaders Are Change Agents
By Carol S Ritter Usethischecklisttopreparefor
thechangestocome
22emsp emspThe Story Behind the Numbers How financial information showcases your impact
By Frank Jakosz Itrsquosallaboutthestoryndashandthe
wayyoutellit
DEPARTMENTSemsp 2 Editorrsquos Page | The Reverse Peter
Principle at Work By Jill Muehrcke Beadoeraswellasaleader
emsp 2 Four Things to Do Next Mondayemsp 4emsp emspAsk the Experts
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board
By Carol Weisman Isthereawaytoaddlifetoa
lacklusterboard
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State
Don Kramer Whensomeoneraisesfunds
onyourbehalfdoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
emsp 4 Advertisersrsquo Indexemsp 5emsp emspThe Board Room
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members
By Bill Hoffman Learnthedetailsofthissignpost
forsuccess
emsp 6emsp emspPeople amp Technology Planning for Digital Longevity
By Himanshu Sareen ThekeysAgoodplanand
stakeholderoutreach
contentsvolume 34 bull number 1bull 2016
FEATURE STORYBeforeyoucanimproveyourboardyouneedtodiagnoseanyillnessesaffectingitTounderstandthefourmostprevalentboarddiseasesandhowtocurethemseeldquoHealingGovernanceIllsRequirestheRightDiagnosisrdquoonpages16-20
Unsolicited manuscripts and letters to the editor are welcomed They should be addressed to Jill Muehrcke Editor Nonprofit World PO Box 44173 Madison WI 53744-4173 or muehrckecharternet or JillNonprofitWorldorg
emsp 8emsp emspFundraising Forum | The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
By John Minges
emsp 9emsp emspApps for Nonprofits | Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar
By Amy Sample Ward Keepontopofyourschedule
10emsp emspLegal Counsel | 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney
DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
12emsp emspVolunteer Vectors Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement
By Susan J Ellis Anexpertonvolunteersshares
herexperiences
14emsp emspYour Ingenious Nonprofit | Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for That
By Karen Eber Davis
24emsp emspRelevant Reviews | Developing Your Organizational Team
By Terrence Fernsler
25emsp emspNonprofit Briefs Top10fundraisingtrends
predictionsandtipsfor2016Plusotherideasresearchandpublicationsinthenonprofitsector
28emsp emspLaughter Alert You-Write-the-CaptionContest
NONPROFIT WORLD is published by the Society for Nonprofits
NEW DEPARTMENT
4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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Your insurance should be too
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individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
copy 2015 National University SEC15_3262
SANFORDINSTITUTEOFPHILANTHROPYORGMASTERSSTART TODAY (844) 225-6681 OR LEARN MORE
Your cause competes with 1507231 tax-exempt organizations
The Master of Arts in Cause Leadership is designed for the mid- to upper-level
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We can teach you the fundraising skills to make your cause stand out Earn your Masterrsquos in Cause Leadership
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UnemploymentOnline Training
Your Workforce Hero
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bull A dedicated Unemployment Claims Representativebull 200+ on-demand training courses for employeesbull HR Hotline with SPHRreg amp PHRreg certified professionals
If you are a 501(c)(3) organization with 10 or more employees you may qualify for significant unemployment cost savings with the UST Program When you join you automatically get access to
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2emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Anything that goes for your paid staff goes for your volunteers too of course Thatrsquos just common sense ndash although common sense often flies out the windows when it comes to volunteers as Susan Ellis explains in ldquoCommon-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvementrdquo (page 12)
While you may be effective on your own you can increase your potency by forming partnerships with others ldquoThe Best Leaders Are Change Agentsrdquo (page 21) reinforces the importance of working together with a relentless determination to achieve results Thatrsquos the best way to reverse the Peter Principle build a high-performing organization and lead with joy and purpose
Jill Muehrcke JillNonprofitWorldorg
Everyone in the nonprofit sector has experienced it The Peter Principle is as discouraging frustrating and demoralizing as it is common
Nonprofit workers who are great at what they do frequently end up as managers even though management isnrsquot their strong point Thatrsquos the essence of the Peter Principle Excellent workers keep getting promoted till they end up in jobs they donrsquot care about or do well
Therersquos a remedy for this familiar problem Apply the Reverse Peter Principle In other words be a doer as well as a leader
Even after you start leading others continue to do some of the things you love That way you can pass on your passion to the people you lead and keep yourself from burning out (Take a look at ldquoHow to Avoid Burnoutrdquo on page 27)
Ask yourself What is it you truly love to do What brought you to the nonprofit sector in the first place Was it working with clients Then keep working with them Donrsquot stop just because yoursquore also a leader
Continue to get out in the field and renew your passion Then carry it back to inspire others Thatrsquos how yoursquoll keep enthusiasm for your organizationrsquos mission
Hiring for passion rather than management skills is a key leadership principle for Tracy Dolgin CEO of Yes Network When recruiting managers he looks for doers he explains in a New York Times interview with Adam Bryant Instead of looking for management experience he seeks people who are the best at their particular job Then he encourages them to continue to do that job in addition to their management work
Rather than subsuming peoplersquos personal dreams in pursuit of team-building great leaders take time to coach support and encourage each team member as an individual They understand that when people feel free to pursue their passions theyrsquoll give more to the group as a whole Thatrsquos what makes a powerful ensemble as ldquoIs There an lsquoIrsquo in lsquoTeamrsquordquo (page 28) makes plain
Leaders who take a strategic view of human resources have the best chance of success They understand the need to infuse personnel principles with the organizationrsquos mission values and credo to keep motivation high (Turn to ldquoDeveloping Your Organizational Teamrdquo and ldquoBuilding Priderdquo on page 24)
Itrsquos only natural that those who are passionate about their work are also joyful resilient (check out ldquoHow Resilient Are Yourdquo on page 27) and curious continually seeking answers ldquoThe art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledgerdquo as Thomas Berger would have it Ask questions of yourself every day Make sure your staff and board members are constantly querying themselves too (ldquoIs Your Board Asking the Right Questionsrdquo on page 26 is a good place to start)
editorrsquosemsppage
The Reverse Peter Principle at Work
ldquoBe a doer as well as a leaderrdquo
Four Things to Do Next MondayHere are some concrete things you can do right away to improve your organization
1 Put into practice at least one of the countermeasures to the ldquodeadliest fundraising mistakerdquo discussed on page 8
2 Ask yourself whether all your board members are as engaged in your organization as they can possibly be See ldquoSuccess through Engaged High-Level Board Membersrdquo on page 5
3 Choose one of the items under ldquoSteps to Takerdquo on page 21 and plan to put it into action
4 Decide whether your board shows any of the common problems detailed in ldquoHealing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosisrdquo (pages 16-20) If so apply the treatments suggested to solve them
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 3
NONPROFIT WORLDEditorenspJill Muehrcke
SOCIETY FOR NONPROFITSPresidentenspKatie Burnham LavertyMembership DirectorenspJason Chmura
Board MembersJon S BluthArchon Strategy ConsultingBethesda MDDiane M HultsClient CFO at Apparatus SolutionsSouthfield MichiganKatie Burnham LavertySociety for NonprofitsTemecula CaliforniaAndrew Schiff Managing Director United Capital of Bethesda Bethesda MD
Editorial Advisory Board MembersJason ChmuraMembership Director Society for NonprofitsLivonia MichiganSusan J EllisPresident Energize IncPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy GoodHabitat for Humanity of Dane CountyMadison Wisconsin
Tangie NewbornPresident Immense Business SolutionsWashington DCTerrie TemkinPrincipal CoreStrategies for NonprofitsMiami Florida
C Terrill ThompsonCTThompson ConsultingPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy Sample WardCEO NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network)Portland Oregon
PublisherThe Society for Nonprofit OrganizationsPurpose The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Through Nonprofit World and other communications with its members the Society is dedicated to bringing together those who serve the nonprofit world in order to build a strong network of professionals throughout the country
NONPROFIT WORLD is published quarterly at the subscription price of $79 per year by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations Single copies are available prepaid at $25 per copy NONPROFIT WORLD is available at no charge to members of The Society for Nonprofit Organizations To subscribe or to become a member of the Society write The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Telephone 734-451-3582 Organizational Membership $150 Individual $69 E-Membership $49 Organizational members may purchase additional memberships for their board staff and volunteers at $25membershipyear Change of address Send both new and old address with mailing label if possible to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Allow six weeks for corrections No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission All rights reserved Copyright copy The Society for Nonprofit Organizations ISSN 8755-7614 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 E-mail infoNonprofitWorldorg Web page nonprofitworldorg
ARTICLES
16 Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosis
By Jim Mueller Herearefourofthemost
commonboardproblemsndashandhowtosolvethem
21emsp emspThe Best Leaders Are Change Agents
By Carol S Ritter Usethischecklisttopreparefor
thechangestocome
22emsp emspThe Story Behind the Numbers How financial information showcases your impact
By Frank Jakosz Itrsquosallaboutthestoryndashandthe
wayyoutellit
DEPARTMENTSemsp 2 Editorrsquos Page | The Reverse Peter
Principle at Work By Jill Muehrcke Beadoeraswellasaleader
emsp 2 Four Things to Do Next Mondayemsp 4emsp emspAsk the Experts
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board
By Carol Weisman Isthereawaytoaddlifetoa
lacklusterboard
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State
Don Kramer Whensomeoneraisesfunds
onyourbehalfdoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
emsp 4 Advertisersrsquo Indexemsp 5emsp emspThe Board Room
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members
By Bill Hoffman Learnthedetailsofthissignpost
forsuccess
emsp 6emsp emspPeople amp Technology Planning for Digital Longevity
By Himanshu Sareen ThekeysAgoodplanand
stakeholderoutreach
contentsvolume 34 bull number 1bull 2016
FEATURE STORYBeforeyoucanimproveyourboardyouneedtodiagnoseanyillnessesaffectingitTounderstandthefourmostprevalentboarddiseasesandhowtocurethemseeldquoHealingGovernanceIllsRequirestheRightDiagnosisrdquoonpages16-20
Unsolicited manuscripts and letters to the editor are welcomed They should be addressed to Jill Muehrcke Editor Nonprofit World PO Box 44173 Madison WI 53744-4173 or muehrckecharternet or JillNonprofitWorldorg
emsp 8emsp emspFundraising Forum | The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
By John Minges
emsp 9emsp emspApps for Nonprofits | Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar
By Amy Sample Ward Keepontopofyourschedule
10emsp emspLegal Counsel | 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney
DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
12emsp emspVolunteer Vectors Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement
By Susan J Ellis Anexpertonvolunteersshares
herexperiences
14emsp emspYour Ingenious Nonprofit | Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for That
By Karen Eber Davis
24emsp emspRelevant Reviews | Developing Your Organizational Team
By Terrence Fernsler
25emsp emspNonprofit Briefs Top10fundraisingtrends
predictionsandtipsfor2016Plusotherideasresearchandpublicationsinthenonprofitsector
28emsp emspLaughter Alert You-Write-the-CaptionContest
NONPROFIT WORLD is published by the Society for Nonprofits
NEW DEPARTMENT
4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
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2emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Anything that goes for your paid staff goes for your volunteers too of course Thatrsquos just common sense ndash although common sense often flies out the windows when it comes to volunteers as Susan Ellis explains in ldquoCommon-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvementrdquo (page 12)
While you may be effective on your own you can increase your potency by forming partnerships with others ldquoThe Best Leaders Are Change Agentsrdquo (page 21) reinforces the importance of working together with a relentless determination to achieve results Thatrsquos the best way to reverse the Peter Principle build a high-performing organization and lead with joy and purpose
Jill Muehrcke JillNonprofitWorldorg
Everyone in the nonprofit sector has experienced it The Peter Principle is as discouraging frustrating and demoralizing as it is common
Nonprofit workers who are great at what they do frequently end up as managers even though management isnrsquot their strong point Thatrsquos the essence of the Peter Principle Excellent workers keep getting promoted till they end up in jobs they donrsquot care about or do well
Therersquos a remedy for this familiar problem Apply the Reverse Peter Principle In other words be a doer as well as a leader
Even after you start leading others continue to do some of the things you love That way you can pass on your passion to the people you lead and keep yourself from burning out (Take a look at ldquoHow to Avoid Burnoutrdquo on page 27)
Ask yourself What is it you truly love to do What brought you to the nonprofit sector in the first place Was it working with clients Then keep working with them Donrsquot stop just because yoursquore also a leader
Continue to get out in the field and renew your passion Then carry it back to inspire others Thatrsquos how yoursquoll keep enthusiasm for your organizationrsquos mission
Hiring for passion rather than management skills is a key leadership principle for Tracy Dolgin CEO of Yes Network When recruiting managers he looks for doers he explains in a New York Times interview with Adam Bryant Instead of looking for management experience he seeks people who are the best at their particular job Then he encourages them to continue to do that job in addition to their management work
Rather than subsuming peoplersquos personal dreams in pursuit of team-building great leaders take time to coach support and encourage each team member as an individual They understand that when people feel free to pursue their passions theyrsquoll give more to the group as a whole Thatrsquos what makes a powerful ensemble as ldquoIs There an lsquoIrsquo in lsquoTeamrsquordquo (page 28) makes plain
Leaders who take a strategic view of human resources have the best chance of success They understand the need to infuse personnel principles with the organizationrsquos mission values and credo to keep motivation high (Turn to ldquoDeveloping Your Organizational Teamrdquo and ldquoBuilding Priderdquo on page 24)
Itrsquos only natural that those who are passionate about their work are also joyful resilient (check out ldquoHow Resilient Are Yourdquo on page 27) and curious continually seeking answers ldquoThe art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledgerdquo as Thomas Berger would have it Ask questions of yourself every day Make sure your staff and board members are constantly querying themselves too (ldquoIs Your Board Asking the Right Questionsrdquo on page 26 is a good place to start)
editorrsquosemsppage
The Reverse Peter Principle at Work
ldquoBe a doer as well as a leaderrdquo
Four Things to Do Next MondayHere are some concrete things you can do right away to improve your organization
1 Put into practice at least one of the countermeasures to the ldquodeadliest fundraising mistakerdquo discussed on page 8
2 Ask yourself whether all your board members are as engaged in your organization as they can possibly be See ldquoSuccess through Engaged High-Level Board Membersrdquo on page 5
3 Choose one of the items under ldquoSteps to Takerdquo on page 21 and plan to put it into action
4 Decide whether your board shows any of the common problems detailed in ldquoHealing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosisrdquo (pages 16-20) If so apply the treatments suggested to solve them
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 3
NONPROFIT WORLDEditorenspJill Muehrcke
SOCIETY FOR NONPROFITSPresidentenspKatie Burnham LavertyMembership DirectorenspJason Chmura
Board MembersJon S BluthArchon Strategy ConsultingBethesda MDDiane M HultsClient CFO at Apparatus SolutionsSouthfield MichiganKatie Burnham LavertySociety for NonprofitsTemecula CaliforniaAndrew Schiff Managing Director United Capital of Bethesda Bethesda MD
Editorial Advisory Board MembersJason ChmuraMembership Director Society for NonprofitsLivonia MichiganSusan J EllisPresident Energize IncPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy GoodHabitat for Humanity of Dane CountyMadison Wisconsin
Tangie NewbornPresident Immense Business SolutionsWashington DCTerrie TemkinPrincipal CoreStrategies for NonprofitsMiami Florida
C Terrill ThompsonCTThompson ConsultingPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy Sample WardCEO NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network)Portland Oregon
PublisherThe Society for Nonprofit OrganizationsPurpose The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Through Nonprofit World and other communications with its members the Society is dedicated to bringing together those who serve the nonprofit world in order to build a strong network of professionals throughout the country
NONPROFIT WORLD is published quarterly at the subscription price of $79 per year by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations Single copies are available prepaid at $25 per copy NONPROFIT WORLD is available at no charge to members of The Society for Nonprofit Organizations To subscribe or to become a member of the Society write The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Telephone 734-451-3582 Organizational Membership $150 Individual $69 E-Membership $49 Organizational members may purchase additional memberships for their board staff and volunteers at $25membershipyear Change of address Send both new and old address with mailing label if possible to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Allow six weeks for corrections No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission All rights reserved Copyright copy The Society for Nonprofit Organizations ISSN 8755-7614 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 E-mail infoNonprofitWorldorg Web page nonprofitworldorg
ARTICLES
16 Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosis
By Jim Mueller Herearefourofthemost
commonboardproblemsndashandhowtosolvethem
21emsp emspThe Best Leaders Are Change Agents
By Carol S Ritter Usethischecklisttopreparefor
thechangestocome
22emsp emspThe Story Behind the Numbers How financial information showcases your impact
By Frank Jakosz Itrsquosallaboutthestoryndashandthe
wayyoutellit
DEPARTMENTSemsp 2 Editorrsquos Page | The Reverse Peter
Principle at Work By Jill Muehrcke Beadoeraswellasaleader
emsp 2 Four Things to Do Next Mondayemsp 4emsp emspAsk the Experts
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board
By Carol Weisman Isthereawaytoaddlifetoa
lacklusterboard
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State
Don Kramer Whensomeoneraisesfunds
onyourbehalfdoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
emsp 4 Advertisersrsquo Indexemsp 5emsp emspThe Board Room
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members
By Bill Hoffman Learnthedetailsofthissignpost
forsuccess
emsp 6emsp emspPeople amp Technology Planning for Digital Longevity
By Himanshu Sareen ThekeysAgoodplanand
stakeholderoutreach
contentsvolume 34 bull number 1bull 2016
FEATURE STORYBeforeyoucanimproveyourboardyouneedtodiagnoseanyillnessesaffectingitTounderstandthefourmostprevalentboarddiseasesandhowtocurethemseeldquoHealingGovernanceIllsRequirestheRightDiagnosisrdquoonpages16-20
Unsolicited manuscripts and letters to the editor are welcomed They should be addressed to Jill Muehrcke Editor Nonprofit World PO Box 44173 Madison WI 53744-4173 or muehrckecharternet or JillNonprofitWorldorg
emsp 8emsp emspFundraising Forum | The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
By John Minges
emsp 9emsp emspApps for Nonprofits | Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar
By Amy Sample Ward Keepontopofyourschedule
10emsp emspLegal Counsel | 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney
DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
12emsp emspVolunteer Vectors Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement
By Susan J Ellis Anexpertonvolunteersshares
herexperiences
14emsp emspYour Ingenious Nonprofit | Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for That
By Karen Eber Davis
24emsp emspRelevant Reviews | Developing Your Organizational Team
By Terrence Fernsler
25emsp emspNonprofit Briefs Top10fundraisingtrends
predictionsandtipsfor2016Plusotherideasresearchandpublicationsinthenonprofitsector
28emsp emspLaughter Alert You-Write-the-CaptionContest
NONPROFIT WORLD is published by the Society for Nonprofits
NEW DEPARTMENT
4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
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AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
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AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
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Your insurance should be too
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individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
2emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Anything that goes for your paid staff goes for your volunteers too of course Thatrsquos just common sense ndash although common sense often flies out the windows when it comes to volunteers as Susan Ellis explains in ldquoCommon-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvementrdquo (page 12)
While you may be effective on your own you can increase your potency by forming partnerships with others ldquoThe Best Leaders Are Change Agentsrdquo (page 21) reinforces the importance of working together with a relentless determination to achieve results Thatrsquos the best way to reverse the Peter Principle build a high-performing organization and lead with joy and purpose
Jill Muehrcke JillNonprofitWorldorg
Everyone in the nonprofit sector has experienced it The Peter Principle is as discouraging frustrating and demoralizing as it is common
Nonprofit workers who are great at what they do frequently end up as managers even though management isnrsquot their strong point Thatrsquos the essence of the Peter Principle Excellent workers keep getting promoted till they end up in jobs they donrsquot care about or do well
Therersquos a remedy for this familiar problem Apply the Reverse Peter Principle In other words be a doer as well as a leader
Even after you start leading others continue to do some of the things you love That way you can pass on your passion to the people you lead and keep yourself from burning out (Take a look at ldquoHow to Avoid Burnoutrdquo on page 27)
Ask yourself What is it you truly love to do What brought you to the nonprofit sector in the first place Was it working with clients Then keep working with them Donrsquot stop just because yoursquore also a leader
Continue to get out in the field and renew your passion Then carry it back to inspire others Thatrsquos how yoursquoll keep enthusiasm for your organizationrsquos mission
Hiring for passion rather than management skills is a key leadership principle for Tracy Dolgin CEO of Yes Network When recruiting managers he looks for doers he explains in a New York Times interview with Adam Bryant Instead of looking for management experience he seeks people who are the best at their particular job Then he encourages them to continue to do that job in addition to their management work
Rather than subsuming peoplersquos personal dreams in pursuit of team-building great leaders take time to coach support and encourage each team member as an individual They understand that when people feel free to pursue their passions theyrsquoll give more to the group as a whole Thatrsquos what makes a powerful ensemble as ldquoIs There an lsquoIrsquo in lsquoTeamrsquordquo (page 28) makes plain
Leaders who take a strategic view of human resources have the best chance of success They understand the need to infuse personnel principles with the organizationrsquos mission values and credo to keep motivation high (Turn to ldquoDeveloping Your Organizational Teamrdquo and ldquoBuilding Priderdquo on page 24)
Itrsquos only natural that those who are passionate about their work are also joyful resilient (check out ldquoHow Resilient Are Yourdquo on page 27) and curious continually seeking answers ldquoThe art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledgerdquo as Thomas Berger would have it Ask questions of yourself every day Make sure your staff and board members are constantly querying themselves too (ldquoIs Your Board Asking the Right Questionsrdquo on page 26 is a good place to start)
editorrsquosemsppage
The Reverse Peter Principle at Work
ldquoBe a doer as well as a leaderrdquo
Four Things to Do Next MondayHere are some concrete things you can do right away to improve your organization
1 Put into practice at least one of the countermeasures to the ldquodeadliest fundraising mistakerdquo discussed on page 8
2 Ask yourself whether all your board members are as engaged in your organization as they can possibly be See ldquoSuccess through Engaged High-Level Board Membersrdquo on page 5
3 Choose one of the items under ldquoSteps to Takerdquo on page 21 and plan to put it into action
4 Decide whether your board shows any of the common problems detailed in ldquoHealing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosisrdquo (pages 16-20) If so apply the treatments suggested to solve them
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 3
NONPROFIT WORLDEditorenspJill Muehrcke
SOCIETY FOR NONPROFITSPresidentenspKatie Burnham LavertyMembership DirectorenspJason Chmura
Board MembersJon S BluthArchon Strategy ConsultingBethesda MDDiane M HultsClient CFO at Apparatus SolutionsSouthfield MichiganKatie Burnham LavertySociety for NonprofitsTemecula CaliforniaAndrew Schiff Managing Director United Capital of Bethesda Bethesda MD
Editorial Advisory Board MembersJason ChmuraMembership Director Society for NonprofitsLivonia MichiganSusan J EllisPresident Energize IncPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy GoodHabitat for Humanity of Dane CountyMadison Wisconsin
Tangie NewbornPresident Immense Business SolutionsWashington DCTerrie TemkinPrincipal CoreStrategies for NonprofitsMiami Florida
C Terrill ThompsonCTThompson ConsultingPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy Sample WardCEO NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network)Portland Oregon
PublisherThe Society for Nonprofit OrganizationsPurpose The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Through Nonprofit World and other communications with its members the Society is dedicated to bringing together those who serve the nonprofit world in order to build a strong network of professionals throughout the country
NONPROFIT WORLD is published quarterly at the subscription price of $79 per year by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations Single copies are available prepaid at $25 per copy NONPROFIT WORLD is available at no charge to members of The Society for Nonprofit Organizations To subscribe or to become a member of the Society write The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Telephone 734-451-3582 Organizational Membership $150 Individual $69 E-Membership $49 Organizational members may purchase additional memberships for their board staff and volunteers at $25membershipyear Change of address Send both new and old address with mailing label if possible to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Allow six weeks for corrections No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission All rights reserved Copyright copy The Society for Nonprofit Organizations ISSN 8755-7614 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 E-mail infoNonprofitWorldorg Web page nonprofitworldorg
ARTICLES
16 Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosis
By Jim Mueller Herearefourofthemost
commonboardproblemsndashandhowtosolvethem
21emsp emspThe Best Leaders Are Change Agents
By Carol S Ritter Usethischecklisttopreparefor
thechangestocome
22emsp emspThe Story Behind the Numbers How financial information showcases your impact
By Frank Jakosz Itrsquosallaboutthestoryndashandthe
wayyoutellit
DEPARTMENTSemsp 2 Editorrsquos Page | The Reverse Peter
Principle at Work By Jill Muehrcke Beadoeraswellasaleader
emsp 2 Four Things to Do Next Mondayemsp 4emsp emspAsk the Experts
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board
By Carol Weisman Isthereawaytoaddlifetoa
lacklusterboard
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State
Don Kramer Whensomeoneraisesfunds
onyourbehalfdoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
emsp 4 Advertisersrsquo Indexemsp 5emsp emspThe Board Room
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members
By Bill Hoffman Learnthedetailsofthissignpost
forsuccess
emsp 6emsp emspPeople amp Technology Planning for Digital Longevity
By Himanshu Sareen ThekeysAgoodplanand
stakeholderoutreach
contentsvolume 34 bull number 1bull 2016
FEATURE STORYBeforeyoucanimproveyourboardyouneedtodiagnoseanyillnessesaffectingitTounderstandthefourmostprevalentboarddiseasesandhowtocurethemseeldquoHealingGovernanceIllsRequirestheRightDiagnosisrdquoonpages16-20
Unsolicited manuscripts and letters to the editor are welcomed They should be addressed to Jill Muehrcke Editor Nonprofit World PO Box 44173 Madison WI 53744-4173 or muehrckecharternet or JillNonprofitWorldorg
emsp 8emsp emspFundraising Forum | The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
By John Minges
emsp 9emsp emspApps for Nonprofits | Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar
By Amy Sample Ward Keepontopofyourschedule
10emsp emspLegal Counsel | 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney
DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
12emsp emspVolunteer Vectors Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement
By Susan J Ellis Anexpertonvolunteersshares
herexperiences
14emsp emspYour Ingenious Nonprofit | Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for That
By Karen Eber Davis
24emsp emspRelevant Reviews | Developing Your Organizational Team
By Terrence Fernsler
25emsp emspNonprofit Briefs Top10fundraisingtrends
predictionsandtipsfor2016Plusotherideasresearchandpublicationsinthenonprofitsector
28emsp emspLaughter Alert You-Write-the-CaptionContest
NONPROFIT WORLD is published by the Society for Nonprofits
NEW DEPARTMENT
4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
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AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
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AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
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januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
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bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
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bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
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bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
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Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 3
NONPROFIT WORLDEditorenspJill Muehrcke
SOCIETY FOR NONPROFITSPresidentenspKatie Burnham LavertyMembership DirectorenspJason Chmura
Board MembersJon S BluthArchon Strategy ConsultingBethesda MDDiane M HultsClient CFO at Apparatus SolutionsSouthfield MichiganKatie Burnham LavertySociety for NonprofitsTemecula CaliforniaAndrew Schiff Managing Director United Capital of Bethesda Bethesda MD
Editorial Advisory Board MembersJason ChmuraMembership Director Society for NonprofitsLivonia MichiganSusan J EllisPresident Energize IncPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy GoodHabitat for Humanity of Dane CountyMadison Wisconsin
Tangie NewbornPresident Immense Business SolutionsWashington DCTerrie TemkinPrincipal CoreStrategies for NonprofitsMiami Florida
C Terrill ThompsonCTThompson ConsultingPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaAmy Sample WardCEO NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network)Portland Oregon
PublisherThe Society for Nonprofit OrganizationsPurpose The Society for Nonprofit Organizations is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Through Nonprofit World and other communications with its members the Society is dedicated to bringing together those who serve the nonprofit world in order to build a strong network of professionals throughout the country
NONPROFIT WORLD is published quarterly at the subscription price of $79 per year by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations Single copies are available prepaid at $25 per copy NONPROFIT WORLD is available at no charge to members of The Society for Nonprofit Organizations To subscribe or to become a member of the Society write The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Telephone 734-451-3582 Organizational Membership $150 Individual $69 E-Membership $49 Organizational members may purchase additional memberships for their board staff and volunteers at $25membershipyear Change of address Send both new and old address with mailing label if possible to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 Allow six weeks for corrections No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission All rights reserved Copyright copy The Society for Nonprofit Organizations ISSN 8755-7614 POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Society for Nonprofit Organizations PO Box 510354 Livonia Michigan 48151 E-mail infoNonprofitWorldorg Web page nonprofitworldorg
ARTICLES
16 Healing Governance Ills Requires the Right Diagnosis
By Jim Mueller Herearefourofthemost
commonboardproblemsndashandhowtosolvethem
21emsp emspThe Best Leaders Are Change Agents
By Carol S Ritter Usethischecklisttopreparefor
thechangestocome
22emsp emspThe Story Behind the Numbers How financial information showcases your impact
By Frank Jakosz Itrsquosallaboutthestoryndashandthe
wayyoutellit
DEPARTMENTSemsp 2 Editorrsquos Page | The Reverse Peter
Principle at Work By Jill Muehrcke Beadoeraswellasaleader
emsp 2 Four Things to Do Next Mondayemsp 4emsp emspAsk the Experts
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board
By Carol Weisman Isthereawaytoaddlifetoa
lacklusterboard
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State
Don Kramer Whensomeoneraisesfunds
onyourbehalfdoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
emsp 4 Advertisersrsquo Indexemsp 5emsp emspThe Board Room
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members
By Bill Hoffman Learnthedetailsofthissignpost
forsuccess
emsp 6emsp emspPeople amp Technology Planning for Digital Longevity
By Himanshu Sareen ThekeysAgoodplanand
stakeholderoutreach
contentsvolume 34 bull number 1bull 2016
FEATURE STORYBeforeyoucanimproveyourboardyouneedtodiagnoseanyillnessesaffectingitTounderstandthefourmostprevalentboarddiseasesandhowtocurethemseeldquoHealingGovernanceIllsRequirestheRightDiagnosisrdquoonpages16-20
Unsolicited manuscripts and letters to the editor are welcomed They should be addressed to Jill Muehrcke Editor Nonprofit World PO Box 44173 Madison WI 53744-4173 or muehrckecharternet or JillNonprofitWorldorg
emsp 8emsp emspFundraising Forum | The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake
By John Minges
emsp 9emsp emspApps for Nonprofits | Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar
By Amy Sample Ward Keepontopofyourschedule
10emsp emspLegal Counsel | 14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney
DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
12emsp emspVolunteer Vectors Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement
By Susan J Ellis Anexpertonvolunteersshares
herexperiences
14emsp emspYour Ingenious Nonprofit | Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for That
By Karen Eber Davis
24emsp emspRelevant Reviews | Developing Your Organizational Team
By Terrence Fernsler
25emsp emspNonprofit Briefs Top10fundraisingtrends
predictionsandtipsfor2016Plusotherideasresearchandpublicationsinthenonprofitsector
28emsp emspLaughter Alert You-Write-the-CaptionContest
NONPROFIT WORLD is published by the Society for Nonprofits
NEW DEPARTMENT
4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
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AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
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AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
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januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
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bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
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bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
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bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
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Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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4emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
askemsptheemspexperts
advertisersrsquoemspindexAffinity Nonprofits Inside Back CoverDonorPerfect Back Cover
National University Inside Front CoverUST page 1
Q Our organization is led by a conservative executive director and a board that just rubber-stamps everything without any insight or vision What can we do to revitalize both the board and the organization
What Can You Do with a Rubber-Stamp Board Isthereanythingyoucandotoaddlifetoalacklusterboard
A Irsquom a big believer in holding a yearly board retreat where folks get together and ask themselves Whatrsquos our vision of the future What do we want to get done Do we have the right players to accomplish our mission Such a retreat is a chance to engage and energize a ldquorubber-stamprdquo group
Carol Weisman President Board Builders
BoardBuilderscom
Also see these Nonprofit World articles at NonprofitWorldorgmembers ldquoBoard Retreats The Wave of the Futurerdquo (Vol 22 No 4) ldquoSeven Creative Ways to Energize Your Boardrdquo (Vol 16 No 3) and ldquoHow to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performancerdquo (Vol 24 No 1)
Q Our organization is talking to a vendor that will let our current donors become solicitors or ldquochampionsrdquo who can then create personal fundraising pages so they can raise funds through their contacts on our behalf We obviously have no control over who or where they solicit Though we wonrsquot be knowingly soliciting contributions from other states our ldquochampionsrdquo might Does that mean we have to register in all the states
A Since most state laws require registration before a solicitation is made by or on behalf of a charity you should be registered wherever your champions will be soliciting As a practical matter if you donrsquot know where folks will be soliciting you can probably wait until you have a donor from another state before you actually register there A good faith effort to register as soon as you know that solicitations are being made on your behalf should prevent the imposition of penalties
When Using Fundraising Pages Must You Register in Every State Whenothersfundraiseforyoudoyouneedtoregisterwherevertheymightsolicit
I assume that your champions wonrsquot be paid for their efforts If theyrsquore being paid they have to register as fundraising counsel or professional solicitors Thatrsquos a whole other process
I also assume that your vendor will be paid for its work Depending on what it actually does the vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising counsel and yoursquoll need to list it on your own registrations Itrsquos technically illegal to deal with an unregistered fundraising counselensp
Don Kramer Nonprofit Issues
NonprofitIssuescom
ldquoA retreat is a chance to engage and energize a grouprdquo
ldquoThe vendor will likely need to register as a fundraising
counselrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 5
theemspboardemsproom
Herersquos a healthy exercise for any nonprofit Ask this question Are all board members truly engaged in the organizationrsquos work
For most organizations the answer to this question will be ldquoyesrdquo and ldquonordquo The organization is doing well if half the board members are fully engaged but what about the other half
Every organization in your community wants the same strong board members who can get things done To be ldquotherdquo go-to nonprofit requires being strategic in how you engage board members
Are the Right People on BoardIdentifying ldquodreamrdquo board members can be like picking a fantasy sports team ndash satisfying in a theoretical sense but unrealistic to implement Building an actual board with the right members is a huge challenge as it may or may not include those dream board members Taking the sports analogy one step further an effective board is like a winning team in that itrsquos more than the sum of the players itrsquos about team performance
Putting together a highly effective board requires looking strategically at the pieces to be put into place When current board members recommend candidates they tend to identify friends and colleagues within their immediate network The resulting loss of diversity makes it difficult to reach out to all constituencies Board diversity goes beyond gender and race A truly diverse board has representation from a variety of generations geographic areas expertise (such as business community leaders private foundations legal and marketing) and interest in engagement (hands-on board members as well as those who can open doors and make introductions at various levels in the community)
Create a Clear Path to EngagementItrsquos self-evident ndash to staff ndash how the board can best help Itrsquos less obvious to board members
The best board members are busy people who are used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done quickly If they donrsquot know the ldquolay of the landrdquo of an organization they wonrsquot know how best to invest their efforts Give board members a thorough orientation to the organization including some history who the players are (staff and board) what the committees do and where the greatest needs are (be they in expertise or resources) Lay that groundwork before asking new board members how they see themselves helping
After the orientation continue to make it easy for board members to be involved Do they have access to the information they need to gauge the progress of their efforts Providing this information may mean giving regular updates on the goals the board has set for itself Everyone wants to see how theyrsquore doing so make sure they see the results ndash even if those results arenrsquot all rosy Access to such data will help board members make course corrections if their efforts arenrsquot effective
Find opportunities to engage board members Advertise these opportunities regularly in board meetings and other communications with board members There should be a variety of options ndash not everyone wants to serve on the gala or fundraising committee Are there sectors of the community you want to connect with more fully Providing such connections is a great way for board members to help
Work ThemAt times it may seem counter-intuitive but the best way to keep the busiest most valuable board members is to work them hard Yes these are busy people and yes they have a lot going on in their lives But if they donrsquot see the role they play as critical to a nonprofitrsquos success theyrsquoll drift away to where they can have an impact The best board members want to use their talents to make a difference and itrsquos incumbent on staff to determine the best way to do that
Donrsquot confuse attending meetings with engagement Just because someone canrsquot make all the board or committee meetings doesnrsquot mean they canrsquot be effective Many highly effective board members would rather work behind the scenes or on a more individual basis Are they available between meetings Often board members who arenrsquot ldquomeeting goersrdquo are those who can make one phone call and remove a lot of roadblocks Or they can make inroads that help the organization ndash regardless of their meeting attendance Be sure to share and celebrate these successes as examples of ways that board members can be of assistance Such celebrations will deepen the interest activity and engagement of your entire board emsp
Bill Hoffman (BillBillHoffmanAndAssociatescom) leads Bill Hoffman amp Associates LLC (wwwbillhoffmanandassociatescom) and has over 30 yearsrsquo expertise in various aspects of the nonprofit sector working in organizational leadership program design implementation and management board development and training and strategic planning
Success through Engaged High-Level Board Members LearnthedetailsofthissignpostforsuccessBy Bill Hoffman
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
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Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
6emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
As a nonprofit leader you deal with huge complex issues but you may lack the cash to lay out a digital strategy on such a broad scale The solution lies in the planning process By keeping stakeholders in mind and planning
for the long-term you can magnify your digital presence in new and effective ways
Digital Strategy for the Long-TermAs you begin your planning always keep the long-term in mind Donrsquot ask what you want your online presence to look like today Think three years five years down the road To plan for the future make sure your potential digital strategy will improve your nonprofit from top to bottom Whether itrsquos helping your brand leadership customer service or revenue generation goalsmdashthink of how your digital tools will help your cause and plan around that
One great way to boost your digital longevity is to leverage your organizationrsquos human capital You might have an IT staffer or consultant to map out and create your online presence but in the end your employees are going to be the ones creating content and interfacing with the software Use your consultant or in-house IT professional as a mentor Ask questions and learn the technology as best as you can because education and user adoption is the best way to create a lasting online presence
The Savings Factor Digital Strategy for ValueThere are certain realities yoursquoll have to face as you begin looking for new tech to better your organization The biggest is the issue of budgeting Whatever piece of technology you choose it needs to be essential it needs to be effective and most of all it needs to be affordable But before you go out searching for the least pricey options to fulfill your basic needs remember The product that comes cheapest is not necessarily the product thatrsquos the most valuable In technology especially you get what you pay for
Strategizing for value takes research and time Look at the latest market trends to create an informed and insightful strategy Therersquos a wealth of data available Here are a few insightful figures to get you started
bull Monthly donors give 42 more each year than donors who provide one-time gifts
bull For every 1000 fundraising e-mails sent a nonprofit raises $17
bull Custom-branded donation pages raise six times more money than generic giving pages
In addition to the latest trends take time to research new technologies that can add value to your online presence One of the most prevalent new Web technologies is responsive Web design RWD looks spectacular when accessed on both desktop and mobile Whatrsquos more RWD has been shown to actually double giving on mobile devices This is one example of great value in nonprofit digital strategy It fulfills multiple functions and it leads to better results along the way
People Problems Technologyrsquos Unexpected Hurdle While planning is of utmost importance for creating a nonprofit digital presence some organizations will find it hard just to reach the planning step In these cases the greatest hurdle comes from low stakeholder buy-in With so many budgetary concerns on their minds decision-makers donrsquot view digital strategy as the optimal route for improving their organizations The line of logic is as follows If direct mail and phone calls are working why should we try to fix what isnrsquot broken
peopleemspampemsptechnology
Planning for Digital Longevity ThekeysAgoodplanandoutreachtostakeholdersBy Himanshu Sareen
ldquoDonrsquot ask what you want today Think three years five
years down the roadrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
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Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
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When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
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4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
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AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 7
The problem with this idea is that someday very soon any strategy that doesnrsquot implement a digital approach will be broken Statistics show that online giving is increasing dramatically on a year-over-year basis and mobile presences are becoming absolutely essential across the board
To convince decision-makers on the importance of digital strategy open up an honest dialogue with them Most of the time itrsquos not new dollars that need to be spent itrsquos just a matter of moving the money from one place to another Provide statistics metrics and infographics that show them the facts Yoursquoll do best to keep the conversation in the fiscal space since this is where their motivations tend to dwell Once theyrsquore on your side one of the most difficult parts of the process is over and you can get started on planning in earnest
Improving digital strategy and online presence begins with planning and relies on an active devoted user base By seeking out technologies that will provide your organization with longevity and value you can develop a high-quality digital presence thatrsquos truly suited for the nonprofit spaceensp
Himanshu Sareen is CEO of Icreon (icreoncom) a global IT consultancy firm headquartered in New York that delivers custom business solutions through Web mobile and software development
pleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchWeemspwouldemsploveemsptoemsphearemspyouremspresponseemsptoemspanythingemspinemspNonprofit WorldemspyouremspcommentsemspaboutemspanyemspaspectemspofemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspandemspyouremspconcernsemspaboutemspyouremspdailyemspworkemspPleaseemspgetemspinemsptouchemspinemspanyemspofemsptheemspfollowingemspways
Drop us a note atemspLettersemsptoemsptheemspEditoremspNonprofitemspWorldemspPOemspBoxemsp44173emspMadisonemspWisconsinemsp53744-4173
E-mail toemspmuehrckecharternetemsporemspJillNonprofitWorldorg
Pleaseemspincludeemspyouremspnameemsporganizationemspaddressemspphoneemspnumberemspandemspe-mailemspaddressemspIfemspyoursquodemsplikeemspyouremspcommentsemsptoemspappearemspanonymouslyemsppleaseemspletemspusemspknowemspWeemsplookemspforwardemsptoemsphearingemspfromemspyou
AlsoemspweemsphopeemspyoursquollemspjoinemsptheemspdiscussionemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspWorldemspDiscussionemspForumemspJustemspgoemsptoemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspsignemspinemspasemspaemspmemberemspandemspclickemsponemsptheemspNonprofitemspForumemsplinkemsp
Marshall the Facts about Digital SuccessWantemspstatisticsemsptoemspbuttressemspyouremspargumentemspthatemspitrsquosemspworthemspspendingemspmoneyemsponemspnewemsptechnologyemspCheckemspoutemsptheseemspresources
NonprofitmarketingblogcomMrbenchmarkscomDonordrivecomNetworkforgoodorg
AlsoemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How to Measure Online Fundraising Successemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)
Beyond the Single E-Mail Message Running Effective E-Mail Campaignsemsp(Volemsp23emspNoemsp3)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Using E-Mail amp the Web to Acquire amp Cultivate Donorsemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp1)
The Purposeful Techie Nonprofit IT with Intentionemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp5)
Online Fundraising Success Factorsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Funds (Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Remember Your Brand when You Market with Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp4)
movingemspletemspusemspknowSendemspoldemspANDemspnewemspaddressemspwithemspmailingemsplabelemspifemsppossibleemspto
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitsPOemspBoxemsp510354LivoniaemspMIemsp48151
TheemsppostemspofficeemspWILLemspNOTemspforwardemspcopiesemspof Nonprofit WorldemspSoemspletemspusemspknowemspBEFOREemspyouemspmoveemspsoemspthatemspyouemspwonrsquotemspmissemspanyemspissues
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
8emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Whatrsquos the biggest mistake you can make in your fundraising practice Itrsquos a shockingly common error ndash forgetting to say ldquothank yourdquo properly Although too many fundraisers consider it a trivial matter it isnrsquot
It can hurt your fundraising success more than anything else Here are some countermeasures to keep in mind
Be instantaneous In todayrsquos super-charged age of speed itrsquos crucial to be as prompt as possible with your thanks A call text or e-mail the same day you receive the support would be ideal Then you can follow up later with a longer thank-you
In the United States there are 228 nonprofits for every individual Donors have options They need to feel good about the contributions they make Otherwise theyrsquoll move on to another worthy cause
Thatrsquos why itrsquos so important to make a solid connection with each donor Nothing does this better than genuine heartfelt swiftly given gratitude
Your responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In fact it has just begun
Be multi-faceted Thanking donors once isnrsquot enough You must connect with them in some way or another at least seven times before theyrsquoll feel adequately thanked
If you feel this unwritten rule is excessive ask yourself this Have you ever heard a donor complain about being thanked too many times
Successful nonprofits know the secret to keeping a donor Keep finding new ways to keep their interest alive For example
Have board members call and thank donors This simple act is one of the best ways for board members to use their time It will go a long way in strengthening donor relationships Itrsquos imperative to learn your donorsrsquo interests so that you can further involve them in your organization What better person to find out that information than a board member who is already excited about your cause
Send notes hand-written by board members expressing appreciation These notes should reinforce the true spirit of the gift They should explain why the gift truly matters and how it is an investment in the lives of others
fundraisingemspforum
Acknowledge donors in your newsletter Web site annual report social media and any other communication vehicle you can think of Such thoughtfulness will pay huge dividends
Be thorough For tax purposes itrsquos essential to provide the donor with the amount and date of the gift Thatrsquos the bare minimum of what you must provide in your thank-you letter
Also include as much detail as possible about the donorrsquos history with your organization Donors especially love to hear how yoursquove used previous gifts and how you hope to use this one The more tangible information you can give the happier ndash and more likely to give again ndash your donors will be
Be diligent How many of your donors are sticking with you through the years How many are leaving The only way to know for sure is to measure your retention rate Be sure you have a donor tracking system in place even if itrsquos something as simple as note cards in a filing box Your system should track every gift made It should also assure that all donors receive a series of thank-you communications
Be constant Keep trying different ways of involving donors Continually ask for their feedback and pay attention to their input Donrsquot make gratitude a one-time two-time or ten-time thing Turn it into a relationship that lastsensp
John Minges (johnmingescom) is a consultant in the nonprofit field
The Most Deadly Fundraising Mistake BesureyounevermakethisdisastrouserrorBy John Minges
ldquoYour responsibility doesnrsquot end when you receive a gift In
fact it has just begunrdquo
Be ResourcefulReademspin-depthemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
How Much Detail Is Needed in a Thank-You Letteremsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Accelerating Fundraising through Social Mediaemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp3)
12 Ways to Say Thank Youemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp6)
Is It Time to Consider New Ways to Communicateemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
How to Foster a Positive Funding Relationshipemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp4)
10 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising by Next Weekemsp(Volemsp33emspNoemsp1)
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspResourceemspDevelopmentemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 9
appsemspforemspnonprofits
Our calendars are our ultimate tools for staying on top of our work meetings and to do-lists For something thatrsquos so critical to our daily success itrsquos surprising how many of us struggle to keep track of our schedules
It would be much easier if it werenrsquot for the endless e-mail threads and phone calls involved in setting up meetings Luckily there are apps to solve this problem
Whether you currently use Outlook iCal or Google Calendar you can use the following apps as add-ons or extensions to your online calendar Theyrsquoll help you do the following
bull Find times to meet that work for a full group of people
bull Allow others to reserve time on your calendar directly
bull Update your calendar with bookings automatically
All three of the following apps are free (There are also paid options that include advanced features and customization)
Doodle (httpdoodlecom) is designed to stop the endless e-mail threads about finding a time for a group of people to meet To get started you select days and times that you want to appear as options and then circulate a single link to your meeting participants Each time someone provides their availability yoursquoll receive a notification The app will automatically highlight the best times (the ones with the most participants indicating they can participate) so itrsquos easy to follow up and confirm your meeting Doodle is especially valuable when yoursquore trying to schedule a call or meeting with participants in multiple time zones When you put in the options you can select the time zone yoursquore using and responders can use their own time zones when picking the best options for them The app will calculate the times correctly taking different time zones into consideration so you can be sure there wonrsquot be any mix-ups or confusion
Test it out for your next meeting at doodlecom
Youcanbookme (httpyoucanbookme) moves the scheduling away from you and over to those who want to meet with you After setting up your profile (it only takes a minute or two) scheduling meetings is as simple as sharing your youcanbookme link with your colleagues When they visit the link you provide they can see when yoursquore already booked the times yoursquore available and preset options for your preferred length of meeting After they choose a meeting time that works for you and them the event appears on your personal calendar and your availability within your profile is updated Some organizations use tools like youcanbookme to manage volunteer sign-ups or other community calendars
Set up your profile and get scheduling at youcanbookme
Calendly (httpcalendlycom) is another option for allowing others to book their own appointments with you Itrsquos designed for individuals and organizations that want to manage a high volume of outside calls or meetings Much like youcanbookme calendly allows you to create a profile and sync your available times creating a single link you can share with others or post on your Web site When a meeting is reserved the time is booked on your calendar directly and the public availability changed to match Whether you have recurring meetings or one-time calls calendly will minimize your time scheduling so you have as much time as possible to do your work
Give it a try today with a free trial at the premium level at calendlycomemsp
Amy Sample Ward (amyntenorg) is CEO of NTEN The Nonprofit Technology Network and author of Social Change Anytime Everywhere
Three Tools for Managing Your Calendar KeepontopofyourscheduleandplanmeetingsquicklyandeasilyBy Amy Sample Ward
ldquoSome organizations use these tools to manage
volunteer sign-upsrdquo
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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Your insurance should be too
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
10emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
14legalemspcounsel
Hiring an attorney can be just what you need to set things right Or it can be your worst move at the worst possible
time Here are 14 questions you should ask yourself before you decide to hire legal counsel
1 Why Do I Need an AttorneySometimes the need for a lawyer is obvious You need help preparing non-routine tax forms defending a tax audit preparing an estate plan starting a new business or conforming your organizationrsquos activities to the changing requirements of the law
At other times itrsquos less clear-cut and it may not be a lawyer you need but a different kind of help altogether The first step is to identify your perceived need for an attorney
2 Is Hiring an Attorney the ldquoRight Thingrdquo to Do
What appears on the surface as a legal problem especially if it involves conflict resolution may have its roots far afield from anything legal Probing root causes is always a good starting point for conflict resolution Ask yourself
bull Are you seeking reconciliation or vindication
bull Are your motives for seeking legal counsel bringing out admirable qualities in you
bull Are you truly motivated by a desire for justice and fairness
When wersquore driven by the wrong motives wersquoll never be satisfied with the results win or lose Whether you pursue a legal resolution or not make sure yoursquore seeking whatrsquos truly best (even for your adversary)
3 What Should You Do before Seeking Legal Advice
Before you hire a lawyer try these steps first
bull Seek the advice of trusted advisors
bull Consider alternative approaches to answering your questions or solving your problem
bull Determine what expert assistance is available for free Your question may be answered by a call to your state or local government offices or to a private organization such as the local Chamber of Commerce or a consumer protection group
bull If your legal need is conflict resolution your first step may be to contact an alternative dispute resolution service For
more information peruse the Web sites of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (fmcsgov) and the Christian Conciliation Service (christian-conciliationorg)
Even if none of the above services solves your problem they may give
you a better idea about what your problem is and what you want to accomplish That will save time and money if you do go on to hire a lawyer
4 What Is an Attorneyrsquos Proper Role
Attorneys are most often retained for one of three purposes
bull Prepare or review documents
bull Analyze transactions (as when buying or selling a business)
bull Resolve conflicts (such as enforcing contracts or suing for property damage or personal injury)
People tend to rely on lawyers too often for the third purpose (resolving conflicts) and not enough for the first two (preparing documents and analyzing transactions) Donrsquot make those mistakes
Using attorneys to resolve conflicts can escalate matters and make the situation much worse than it needs to be And not using attorneys when preparing documents and analyzing transactions can be extremely risky Minimize your legal risks by keeping attorneys in their proper roles
5 What If You Just Need a Little Legal Advice
Sometimes therersquos a government agency to which you must report a form you need to fill out or new organizational requirements you should consider to avoid unexpected legal problems in the future These may be simple matters you can handle on your own
Or you may need an expertrsquos help to set things up as the law requires If yoursquore unsure of how to proceed and donrsquot know someone who has done it before you would be wise to seek legal advice
6 What Should You Look for in an Attorney
Seek a lawyer with a good reputation in your local community and in the nonprofit sector This should include a reputation for discretion and confidentiality
14 Questions to Ask before You Hire an Attorney DoyouneedalawyerIfsohowdoyoufindtherightone
ldquoHiring an attorney can be your worst move at the
worst possible timerdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
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Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 11
Good attorneys are known for integrity wise counsel and the ability to see how seemingly minor details can have a significant effect on a situation Stable relationships at home and on the job indicate a person whose life is in order
7 Do You Need a SpecialistLaw is becoming as specialized as medicine Just as you wouldnrsquot be a guinea pig for a pediatrician who wants to practice brain surgery you wouldnrsquot want a real estate attorney or securities law specialist to prepare your tax forms or defend your organization in a personal injury suit Ask prospective attorneys to define the speciality your matter involves and describe their experience in that specialty
8 How Do You Find This AttorneyGet referrals from friends nonprofit leaders you respect or lawyer referral services in your area Other good places to check out
bull the American Bar Association americanbarorg
bull your state or local bar association
bull the Federalist Society fed-socorg
bull the Christian Legal Society clsnetorg
9 Is It Time to Call the AttorneyUnless yoursquore in an emergency situation you may be better off not calling until you have at least three prospective attorneys on your list This will let you compare personalities experience availability and price
Test the information you receive in your first call when you speak to subsequent attorneys But donrsquot take the last attorneyrsquos word for it give the attorneys you spoke with earlier a chance to explain themselves
10 What Do You Say in Your Initial Phone Call
Tell the secretary that yoursquore seeking an attorney for a new legal matter Generally yoursquoll be put through to the attorney or in some cases the secretary may be trained to handle the preliminary intake
Briefly describe your perceived legal need Ask for information regarding the attorneyrsquos availability experience with the subject matter and standard charges
Seek a half-hour in-person interview with at least two prospective attorneys if possible Ask beforehand what this interview will cost Many attorneys will provide an initial interview at no charge
11 What Should You Discuss in Your First Meeting with a Prospective Attorney
Discuss projected fees and costs availability expertise and the time table for handling the matter You should get the
attorneyrsquos analysis of the problem the degree of complexity a description of what further research will be required and an idea of the attorneyrsquos experience in your area of need You should leave this meeting with the names and phone numbers of three or four past clients who had similar legal needs and have agreed to serve as references
Money is an important issue both to you and the attorney Discuss it fully and forthrightly When you leave the initial meeting you should know exactly how you will be charged You should also have a good idea of what the fees and expenses will be if you proceed
12 Whatrsquos the Difference between Legal Fees and Expenses
Most attorneys itemize direct costs such as photocopying filing fees and so on and itemize them separately on the bill These costs known as disbursements are in addition to an attorneyrsquos hourly fees which generally range from $100 an hour for newer attorneys in smaller localities to over $1000 an hour for the most experienced specialist in the larger cities On a few routine matters such as preparation of corporate papers some attorneys may have fixed fees which you will pay to get the job done regardless of the amount of time the attorney actually expends
Seek an estimate up front Ask to receive monthly billings Establish a ldquonot-to-exceedrdquo figurerdquo which will require the attorney to notify you and get your approval before investing in more time
13 What Is a Contingency Fee In cases requiring litigation an attorney may be willing to work for a contingency fee This means that the attorney gets paid only if you win the lawsuit or receive a settlement payment Even in contingency cases however the client is usually responsible for all disbursements (defined in the previous answer)
Depending on the complexity of the case and other risk factors the contingent amount yoursquoll need to pay may be as low as 15 or as high as 50 Sometimes it will be a sliding scale such as 25 if settled out of court and 33 if litigated
14 Should You Get All This in Writing
Absolutely Many states require attorneys to provide a written agreement setting forth the financial and other details of the attorney-client relationship Itrsquos possible that the attorney may not have prepared a draft retainer agreement at your first meeting But if you mutually agree to move forward this should be the first step as you begin your relationshipensp
This article was prepared by Gammon amp Grange (gg-lawcom) a law firm serving nonprofit organizations and businesses throughout the United States and abroad
legalemspcounsel
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
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Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
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Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
12emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
volunteeremspvectors
Itrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteers At our organization which specializes in volunteerism wersquore often taken aback by the questions we receive Here are four actual questions people have asked us
bull What are valid tasks for a volunteer to do
bull How do we make sure a volunteer doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for volunteers
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our volunteer management system more effective
WORD IT ANOTHER WAY
The attitude underlying all these questions is that therersquos something unusual about volunteers The best way to come up with an answer is to rephrase the question Substitute the word ldquoemployeerdquo for ldquovolunteerrdquo and see if this alters the premise
bull What are valid tasks for an employee to do
bull How do we make sure an employee doesnrsquot get romantically entangled with a client
bull What are acceptable retention rates for employees
bull How can we prove that recordkeeping software will make our employee management system more effective
When we put the question this way the perspective suddenly changes We realize that we wouldnrsquot draw conclusions about all employees Why then do we so often make assumptions about all volunteers
For instance few paid staff earn a gold watch after 25 years on the job anymore Retention of employees while important is hardly the first question on everyonersquos mind What makes this such a hot button when it comes to volunteers
In the case of romantic involvement the question isnrsquot about volunteers or employees but about human beings We understand that an organization needs to maintain propriety and protect vulnerable people but canrsquot prevent emotions
So the issue becomes one of policies regarding how any representative of the organization should behave (not feel)
Finally some questions would never be raised at all in the context of employees When managers ask for something be it computer software time to attend a conference or anything else they deem necessary the main question is whether the cost is covered in the budget Most managers donrsquot expect to be challenged on the legitimacy of their requests Yet over and over volunteer resource managers must defend their purchase requests not on grounds of cost but on ldquois this really worth itrdquo The old myth ldquovolunteers are freerdquo rears its ugly head when money needs to be spent
DONrsquoT OVERREACT
Itrsquos alarmingly common for organizations to overreact when it comes to volunteers Recently for instance a volunteer at a tutoring program was accused of unwelcome advances toward a student Naturally this is serious and until the facts were determined that volunteer should have been asked to stay home But what happened All the volunteers were barred from doing any tutoring
Can you imagine a school furloughing all teachers if one was accused Or a church closing its doors to all its clergy Absurd
Some organizations are so afraid of any risk no matter how slight they decide not to engage volunteers at all Because someone might get hurt or do something wrong services needed by clients are stopped before they start
Risk assessment is always valid An organization should keep all participants safe It makes sense to minimize volunteer risk but decisions should not be made based on worst-case scenarios Unfortunately however some executives automatically say ldquonordquo to new volunteer initiatives even if the same risks apply to paid staff This is not risk management itrsquos risk avoidance And what are the consequences to serving clients if volunteers are always stopped from doing something new or difficult
Common-Sense Answers about Volunteer Involvement AnexpertonvolunteerengagementsharesherexperiencesandanswerssomequestionsBy Susan J Ellis
NEW DEPARTMENT
ldquoItrsquos amazing the questions people ask about volunteersrdquo
ldquoMany of these rules actually keep volunteers from being
effectiverdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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Your insurance should be too
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
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much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 13
CREATE BALANCED POLICIES
Itrsquos common too for organizations to devise illogical volunteer policies Many of their rules actually keep volunteers from being effective
In one instance an organization put key information on an intranet with no system for giving volunteers access to it Another organization gave passwords to a discussion forum to employees but not to volunteers Sometimes itrsquos the IT staff that resists allowing volunteers entry to what they consider sensitive online information but the policy from the top should be to give every team member ndash paid or not ndash access to the information and tools necessary to do the work assigned Barring volunteers from online information is counterproductive for the whole organization making it difficult to accomplish projects And it conveys a negative message about the value you place on volunteers
Itrsquos simple to correct such problems Simply keep volunteers in mind whenever you initiate policies or procedures and make decisions based on the work they do and not on their pay level Here are some other ways to be sure yoursquore not treating your volunteers as second-class
bull Designate special spaces for your volunteers Set aside desks computers and other needed tools for their use Donrsquot make them hunt for an open work space
bull Provide an official e-mail address letterhead stationery and business cards for volunteers who are working as representatives of the organization
bull Give volunteers a secure storage area where they can leave purses briefcases and other personal items while on duty
bull Invite volunteers to meetings that are relevant to their assignments Therersquos no reason to exclude volunteers from staff meetings conference calls or planning sessions involving volunteer projects
USE YOUR LOGIC
Take a close look at how you and your organization treat volunteers Ask yourselfbull Do you give volunteers the same opportunities
consideration and respect as your paid workersbull Do any of your policies demonstrate misunderstanding
about what is or isnrsquot ldquodifferentrdquo about unpaid workers bull Have you educated your paid staff about ways to ensure
that volunteers feel included and valued
Root out any rules or actions that make it difficult uncomfortable or awkward for volunteers to do their work Give them the appreciation they deserve Letrsquos hear it for basic common sense
And therersquos one more question thatrsquos well worth asking When would it be more effective to treat our employees the way we should treat volunteers For example how often do you do something special to recognize good work by the paid staff (A paycheck is not a ldquothank yourdquo) How much choice or flexibility do employees have in the things you expect them to do The practices of good volunteer management actually make your workplace more welcoming and productive to all of your team membersensp
Susan J Ellis is president of Energize Inc an international training consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism Based in Philadelphia since 1977 the firm has helped a wide diversity of clients to start or expand volunteer efforts Ellis has written 14 books on volunteerism and dozens of articles She is co-publisher of the international online journal e-Volunteerism (e-volunteerismcom) and dean of faculty for the online volunteer management training program Everyone Readyreg Browse the 1200+ pages of free volunteer management information on the Energize Web site energizeinccom
More Common-Sense SolutionsYoursquollemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemspinvolveemspvolunteersemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
Where Are Your Volunteer Leadersemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
How to (and Not to) Put Your Volunteers to Workemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp3)
Are You Boring Your Volunteers to Deathemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp3)
Maximizing Volunteer Participationemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Staff-Volunteer Teamemsp(Volemsp18emspNoemsp4)
Free Webinar Recording for Members Welcome Adapt Or Avoid Responding to Trends in Volunteerism Thisemspwebinaremspoffersemspanemspoverviewemspofemspkeyemsptrendsemspandemsptheemspissuesemsptheyemspraiseemspforemspvolunteeremspengagement
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspVolunteeremspManagementemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
volunteeremspvectors
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
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bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
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bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
14emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
Yes people will pay to help you fulfill your mission if you engage surprise and delight them
In just four years would you like to
bull Grow your six-figure donors by 30
bull Develop a new event that attracts 100000 people
bull Earn 50 more from foundations such as Carnegie Gates Rockefeller and MacArthur
While this article canrsquot promise you those things it will tell you how the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) achieved these feats It also shares six elements your nonprofit can use to emulate NYSCIrsquos success
NYSCI is changing the way we help children learn by creating educational models for STEM (science technology engineering and math) topics Their STEM-based learning models engage children in fun play and excitement
Hosting nearly a half million visitors per year the New York Hall of Science was originally built for the 1964 Worldrsquos Fair Today the site offers visitors 450 interactive STEM exhibits and more
Whatrsquos the Appeal 1 A Recognized Challenge The work of NYSCI responds to a national challenge to improve STEM education
You Even if your nonprofit isnrsquot working on a Presidentially recognized challenge such as STEM it does face a challenge that addresses well-known needs in your field To create partnerships like those enjoyed by NYSCI design a solution to that challenge
Do You Want to Change the World Will People Pay for ThatBy Karen Eber Davis
2 Value
We can trace NYSCIrsquos overwhelming success to the way its approach engages learners and creates delight For example ratios befuddle many middle school youth Traditionally teachers use word problems to teach kids about ratios NYSCI uses a more creative approach
When I visited the New York Hall of Science Exhibit Projects Creative Director Peggy Monahan showed me how itrsquos done With an iPad she created a picture of me being stomped by a large foot Then using a paper-doll-like pair of pants on a stick she created a picture of me dressed in clown pants To create the desired effect she used ratios so the pants were neither too big nor too little but just right
Now that yoursquove viewed me in clown pants (see the photo below) visualize young teens making silly pictures with their friends while learning about ratios Imagine the fun
You Design your proposals with appeal Use joy fresh thinking and learner engagement
3 Experience New York City families have plenty of museum and excursion options NYSCI has remained open for 50 years by mastering the art of captivating visitors
You Include your expertise in your solutions Be the logical choice for your funding partnerships
Peggy Monahan from the New York Hall of Science shows the author how clown pants can make learning about ratios fun for kids
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 15
4 Leverage What happens at NYSCI doesnrsquot stay there NYSCI uses its physical site as a learning incubator The goal is to reach classrooms nationwide NYSCI designs its models for classroom use and includes teacher education in its work Models use readily available items such as aluminum foil to fit tight budgets
You To inspire partnerships like NYSCI design your proposals to start at your site and move everywhere
5 Location Location Location Yes NYSCI is located in New York City close to a subway line Transportation does provide NYSCI easy access to millions However this isnrsquot Manhattan Itrsquos ldquoall the way out to Flushingrdquo NYSCIrsquos location makes it ldquoscrappyrdquo Its Queens neighborhood means that its employees have the opportunity to test their ideas with people who reflect Americarsquos growing diversity
You As you think about seeking partnership with foundations or individuals to create extraordinary impact yoursquoll undoubtedly moan about some aspect of your location Turn this around Find your advantage
6 A Culture of Yes The NYSCI staff said yes to my request for an interview about nonprofit income opportunity Not everyone does
You A culture of ldquoyesrdquo is subtle but critical Partnerships require openness To succeed especially with fiscal partners you need to balance your nonprofitrsquos needs with your partnerrsquos needs Are you ready to say yes a lot
Create Partnerships Grow Your Impact amp Obtain IncomeThe world you want to change may be as significant as STEM education in America It might be midsized or small and still be critical Whatever the size of the challenge use the six NYSCI elements Apply them to get people excited about investing in your work emsp
Karen Eber Davis (karenkedconsultcom) is an expert in maximizing philanthropic impact and the author of Nonprofit Income Streams Open the Floodgates to Sustainability Sign up for her free newsletter ldquoAdded Valuerdquo at kedconsultcom
Coming Up in ldquoYour Ingenious Nonprofitrdquo Donrsquot miss upcoming issues in which yoursquoll learn how to develop a
ldquoforever incomerdquo strategy follow the steps to sustainability and sort through available income streams to choose the best one for your organization
youremspingeniousemspnonprofit
ldquoDesign your proposals to start at your site and move
everywhererdquo
Enjoy Reading NONPROFIT WORLD HereemspareemspmoreemspbenefitsemspofemspmembershipemspinemsptheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofits
bullemspemsp12emspissuesemspofemspNonprofitemspWorldemspFundingemspAlertemspprovidingemspmonthlyemspupdatesemsponemspgrantemspandemspfundingemspopportunities
bullemspemspMembershipemspinemspGrantStationemspwithemspinstantemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp5500emspgrantmakersemspviaemsptheemspFind-a-Funderemspsearchableemspdatabase
bullemspemspCompleteemspaccessemsptoemspoveremsp1200emspprinter-readyemspmanagementemsparticlesemspsearchableemspbyemspauthoremspkeyemspwordemsporemspsubject
bullemspemspDiscountsemsponemspproductsemspandemspservicesemspincludingemspbooksemspaudiotapesemspvideotapesemspandemspWebinarsemsppresentedemspbyemspexpertsemspinemsptheemspfield
bullemspemspReducedemspenrollmentemspfeesemspfromemsptheemspLearningemspInstituteemspforemsptheemspSocietyrsquosemspCertificateemspofemspExcellenceemspinemspNonprofitemspLeadershipemspandemspManagement
bullemspFreeemspjobemsppostingsemsponemspouremspNonprofitCareersorgemspjobemspsite
ForemspmoreemspinformationemspvisitemspemspwwwNonprofitWorldorg
16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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16emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Healing Governance Ills
Requires theRight Diagnosis
To succeed itrsquos important to correctly identify which condition is affecting your board because each requires a different approach I will describe four of the most common ailments in order of least to most serious Benightedness Phobia Obliviousia and Xenoskepticosis
Benightedness The first condition I call Benightedness Itrsquos an archaic word that perfectly captures the nature of the problem Literally it means ldquoin the darkrdquo It is the condition of being inexperienced It arises when board members are asked to do something for which they are neither knowledgeable nor equipped Since most board members want to be successful this is the easiest condition to address
Yoursquove probably witnessed this yourself Letrsquos say your organization hired its first development officer The development officer is invited to a board meeting and asks board members to review some lists and identify people they can cultivate for the organization and maybe consider hosting a reception in their home
Suddenly the room goes quiet with board members looking at their lists with a bit of apprehension Finally to break the silence the board chair asks What exactly are you asking us to do From the development officerrsquos point of view itrsquos perfectly clear and as such that staffer is at a loss for words Sensing the discomfort in the room the executive director steps up and suggests that the board table this for discussion for another meeting Everyone seems relieved
Though it is eminently clear that an ounce of preventive medicinemdashie the development officer meeting individually with board members before jumping into the board presentationmdashwould have averted this uncomfortable experience the symptoms remain the same
Some might jump to the conclusion that the board members in this example are afraid of fundraising but the symptoms suggest that they just donrsquot know what to do
If you were the development officer in this situation what would be your next move Well after you salvage your relationship with the executive director and regain that personrsquos trust and confidence in your competence yoursquod put together a learning experience for members of the board
Itrsquos important to meet with each board member individually to learn the extent of each onersquos experience This should not be an inquisition but a series of conversations about why members are engaged what they love what inspires them and what experiences they have had with nonprofit governance and fundraising Throughout these conversations you are identifying the educational needs of the members
When yoursquove completed the interviews itrsquos important to meet with the chair of the board to plan an educational strategy that the chair endorses
I have served on many boards over the years and I confess it can be difficult to figure out whatrsquos wrong when things go askew Over time I have recognized that there are certain common ailments that affect many boards and if you understand the symptoms and diagnose them accurately you have a better chance of bringing about productive change
Here are four of the most common board problems ndash and how to solve them
By Jim Mueller
ldquoStart the healing
process by focusing on the organizationrsquos
causerdquo
ldquoShow board members the research on how giving is more
satisfying than gettingrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 17
BENIGHTEDNESS SYMPTOMSFrustration donrsquot know what to do or how to do it Confusion misunderstand expectations Mild resistance
bull ldquoWhat do you expect of usrdquobull ldquoWhy are you asking us to helprdquo
BENIGHTEDNESS TREATMENT Determine what board members need to know and what they donrsquot know Individualize your approach One size may not fit all Develop an educational approach that is an enjoyable learning experience Engage the chair in planning the learning process Conduct a series of conversations to introduce proven practicesDonrsquot just tell them engage them Offer examples of success storiesBe explicit about the roles you expect board members to playProvide practical tools and information
As you implement the strategy donrsquot just tell board members what they need to know Make it a discovery process engage in discussions using scenarios and case stories expose them to board members from other organizations who are knowledgeable and successful and design activities where they can experience success
Going forward make sure your new-board orientation covers the knowledge board members need to be successful A thoughtful well-considered orientation is another form of preventive medicine
Phobia The second condition is Phobia Fundiphobia planaphobia recruitaphobia inovatiphobia there is an almost endless range of things that can make board members uncomfortable
Phobia differs from Benightedness in two primary ways
bull First it is not a condition of lack of knowledge And giving board members more information at the outset wonrsquot help
bull Second the degree of resistance to the task that provokes the fear is more intense when dealing with a phobia The resistance can be both passive and active It first shows itself when members donrsquot follow through or when they become unresponsive Then when the behavior is confronted board members will either disengage further or use bullying tactics to push back
You canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members are unlikely to discuss it So it is important to recognize when and where the resistance occurs If you are observant a pattern will become obvious and you will know the source of the fear
Since a phobia cannot be resolved through a direct approach I recommend shifting focus away from it Spend time talking with board members about how they view the organizationrsquos mission what they are passionate about and what they envision for the future
PHOBIA SYMPTOMS A lack of direct eye contact when the topic is discussed Shuffling papers or acting distracted A predisposition to changing the topic at the first opportunity Lack of follow through on tasks When confronted passiveness will turn into anger or complete disconnection
PHOBIA TREATMENT Help board members tap into their passion Create opportunities for them to tell stories about why they love the work of the organization Connect them to the heart and soul of your cause Have clients donors or community stakeholders meet with the board to tell members why they are so glad the organization exists Host mission tours Give board members real-life experiences of why the organizationrsquos work is important and worthwhile and how the organization is changing lives Replace the thing they fear with practical tasks
bull If itrsquos fear of fundraising focus on building relationships and friend-raising
bull If itrsquos fear of outreach take board members on a visit with you where you take the lead
bull If itrsquos fear of planning break it down into simple interesting questions
Finally donrsquot ask board members to do anything that is not a good fit Make adjustments for various personalities
Discuss strategies aspirations and actions that will lead to success In short get the boardrsquos attention off the red herring Then create a back door to the solution Let me give you a few examples
Since fundiphobia is the most prevalent phobia letrsquos begin with it Predominant fundiphobia fears include being embarrassed losing face offending friends or coming off as pushy It is very important to start the healing process by focusing on the organizationrsquos cause and the great work it does for those it serves A powerful strategy is to introduce board members to beneficiaries who are grateful for the work of the organization and can talk passionately about it Another is to introduce them to donors who love to support the organization By doing so you are showing (not telling) board members how the organization is worthwhile and how people feel good about supporting it You are shifting the paradigm from motivation to inspiration
For some board members this bit of inspiration will do the trick For the rest demonstrate how fundraising is all about building relationships I often tell board members not to ask people for money if it wonrsquot make them happy They should not ask their friends if they are uncomfortable I further show them the stages of relationship where people must move from awareness to interest to involvement to engagement before a board member should think about asking them for a gift So focus on relationship-building not asking I also show them the research on how giving is more satisfying than getting I tell them that you know when to make an ask because it excites you and the donormdashbecause you both believe in a shared cause
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
18emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
and trust the organization to deliver on its promise Donrsquot ask sooner and donrsquot ask for any other reason
Planaphobia recruitaphobia and others require a similar approach Start by focusing on the importance of the cause and the impact of the organization Talk about vision and what board members hope to achieve Donrsquot focus on a comprehensive strategy Focus on a few steps wherein they can experience immediate success
For planaphobia I suggest starting with a simple exercise
bull Begin by askingldquoWhat does success look likerdquo
bull At a following session you might ask ldquoWhat are the critical gaps between our aspirations and our current realityrdquo
bull At a third session you could ask ldquoWhatrsquos most importantrdquo
When you simplify the process by focusing on a few interesting questions board members will provide critical input to the strategic plan without realizing they are doing strategic planning
A similar process can be used for recruitment Make it simple one bite at a time With each phobia the success of the treatment is directly related to tapping directorsrsquo passion for the cause Fear fades away when people are immersed in their passion and see the relevance of the activity they are being asked to undertake
Obliviousia The third condition I call Obliviousia It is the state of being oblivious to a range of governance responsibilities Obliviousia differs from Benightedness in that board members who are oblivious to their responsibilities are more resistant than those who lack know-how Whereas those with Benightedness are receptive once they know how to do what is being asked those with Obliviousia are not A typical response might be ldquoYou want us to do morerdquo
Letrsquos look at a typical scenario Facing a revenue shortfall the executive director brings in a consultant to ldquoget the board charged uprdquo At a board meeting the consultant introduces best practices of high performing boardsmdashdescribing how members of such boards are engaged in year-round board development are actively involved in the annual appeal spend time reviewing lists and cultivating relationships host point-of-entry events do advocacy and outreach and make significant personal gifts
Concerned about the outcome of the discussion the executive director peers around the room and sees some board members whispering to one another and others disengaged from the presentation Then one speaks up and says ldquoI thought that was the staffrsquos job We hire good people and we pay them wellrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA SYMPTOMSA ldquodeer caught-in-the headlightsrdquo gaze Disengaged when responsibility is discussed Dismissive attitude ldquoNo one told merdquo Defensive posture ldquoI thought that was your jobrdquo
OBLIVIOUSIA TREATMENT
Connect board members to the cause through focused discussion and by providing examples of how the organization is succeeding for those in need Tap their passion inspire them
Engage board members in a process of discovery regarding new strategies and opportunities to meet the challenges at hand Outline a game plan that includes both staff and board responsibilities Be very clear about the extent of board member responsibilities Start small Demonstrate how the staff will provide full competent support for any new initiative Provide the tools board members need to succeed Celebrate successesReinforce new practices through regular attention to them at board meetings
Needless to say the executive director should have done some homework If board members were surveyed in advance it would have been clear that the board has no clue about the breadth of governance responsibilities It does not matter that the board is being asked to do something that is proven to be effective what matters is that it isnrsquot what board members had in mind when they agreed to serve
A better way to approach a board with this condition is to begin where I have suggested for the other conditions Focus on the impact of your cause talk about vision and changed lives connect board members to people who have benefitted from the programs and services In short stir their passions inspire them
Once the board has made this connection you can begin to introduce new opportunities strategies and tactics that will help the organization thrive Introduce a few at a time
bull Explain how the staff has been trained and is prepared to support the board
bull Lay out a strategy showing board members how they can uniquely make a contribution that complements the staffrsquos efforts
bull Be very clear about the extent of board membersrsquo responsibilities
bull Take it slowly step by step Donrsquot throw a full menu of best practices at the board all at once
bull Start where you have the best opportunity for success And when you do succeed talk about it celebrate it
Bringing health to the board is not the result of teaching or persuading It is found through discovering relevant activities alleviating angst clearly defining expectations and helping board members understand how they can competently take
ldquoEncourage board members to tell stories about why they love the work
of the organizationrdquo
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 19
on this heretofore-unknown responsibility Donrsquot rush Build the case Coach
Xenoskepticosis The most challenging board ailment is Xenoskepticosis This is a board culture that is deeply skeptical of anything unfamiliar or unusual Itrsquos most often found in boards that have lost touch with their organizationrsquos vision or cause Itrsquos usually a condition that develops over time Any of the first three conditions I describedmdashBenightedness Phobia or Obliviousiamdashmay develop into Xenoskepticosis if unchecked
Several years ago I resigned from a board that was suffering from Xenoskepticosis Board meetings started and ended on time the founder-executive controlled the agenda many of the board members were friends of the founder and the chair was one of the most polite people Irsquove ever met to the organizationrsquos detriment Innovation was not embraced
I was asked to join the board because of my professional position at the time The organization served a cause that was near and dear to my heart and I was excited to see what could be done
Within a year I left out of frustrationmdashjust after two others did the same One was the individual who had recruited me and the other was an individual I had recruited The person who had recruited me was a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur and former chief executive in a Fortune 500 company The person whom I had recruited was a social activist and wealth investor from New York Our leaving the board did not create the slightest ripple in the organization everything just stayed the same
Xenoskepticosis is highly resistant to any form of intervention or treatment The more longstanding and deeply embedded the more impervious Form trumps function Comfort and convenience are valued Risk and innovation are eschewed
Bringing about change for a board with Xenoskepticosis is not achieved through information or persuasion assurances or staff support itrsquos rooted in building credibility and trust exhibiting extraordinary patience and tenaciously holding to a vision for change
The most critical task is to recruit the right person to chair the board Without the right chairperson there is little hope for change Getting that right person on board takes time and requires finesse Itrsquos akin to a political campaign It needs to be an individual who is accepted as the leader by other members Important characteristics of an effective chair includebull the right motivation (passion for the cause desire to serve
that cause a strong focus on impact)bull strategic thinkingbull courage confidence and diplomacy
This needs to be an individual who can build a band of believers someone who can tenaciously pursue a compelling vision and inspire others to join
XENOSKEPTICOSIS SYMPTOMSBoard members focusing on reports and dissecting decisionsLittle to no generative thinkingLittle to no time spent on strategic planning Little debate or controversyLittle to no strategic focus on outreach and financial resource development Resistance to change ldquoThatrsquos not our jobrdquo ldquoWe donrsquot do it that wayrdquo
XENOSKEPTICOSIS TREATMENT Recognize that there is no quick fix Commit to a thoughtful long-term strategy Recruit the right chair Reinvigorate the board with new passionate board members who embrace the role of governance Focus on vision and mission-impactEngage in a process of discovery at the right momentmdash when the board begins to question current practices and shows signs of receptivity to new ideas
As with the board chair recruiting new board members who have a passion for the cause and embrace their governance responsibilities is another effective strategy to employ It requires a carefully crafted board member recruitment profile a thoughtful and sustained recruitment process and a sound orientation program
As this process unfolds cultivating a consistent focus on vision and mission-impact will begin to evoke consideration of new and different approaches and practices Ideas that were previously
ldquoGet the boardrsquos attention off the red herringrdquo
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
20emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
perceived as ldquothatrsquos not the way we do thingsrdquo are now seen as effective ways to achieve greater impact The best way to sustain this epiphany is to structure a process of discovery rather than teach new practices This is an opportune time to hold a board retreat managed by a skilled facilitator
Once you have achieved this level of engagement you have turned the corner and are on track toward a healthy recovery
Boards can get lost in the doldrums of Xenoskepticosis for years But there is hope Case in point one board with which Irsquom familiar is now healthy and thriving A new chair took the helm This person had the perfect temperament to deal with the founder (gentle ndash most of the time ndash but firm) and was stimulated by the challenge He had a passion for the cause exuded confidence and held the board accountable for governance that was mission centered He strategically recruited new members and focused on achieving new program and fundraising goals He also had an uncanny ability to know which battles to fight He once told me that his success is rooted in his ability to see the whole battlefield not just the skirmishes
Meet Board Members Where They Are Not Where You Want Them to BeTo help ailing boards be more effective in governance we need to accurately understand the dynamics of problems we face and engage in appropriate actions The majority of board members are smart reasonable people with very full lives When we employ the right approach to problems with intelligence and respect board members are much more likely to respond positively to change
You have probably noticed throughout this article how often I return to passion for cause vision and mission Thatrsquos where inspiration lies So often we fall prey to trying to motivate board members through obligation peer pressure goals and objectives Motivational tactics have a limited shelf life Sure they might work for short-term objectives but they do not create exceptional boards Exceptional boards are inspired boards whose members are emotionally and intellectually engaged in a cause that is deeply meaningful to them emsp
Jim Mueller (jmuellerjmuellerassociatescom) has a consulting practice (jmuellerassociatescom) and over 40 yearsrsquo experience in the nonprofit sector This article is reprinted from YOU and Your Nonprofit Board Advice amp Practical Tips from the Fieldrsquos Top Practitioners Researchers amp Provocateurs courtesy of CharityChannel Press available at CharityChannelcom Amazoncom and barnesandnoblecom)
ldquoYou canrsquot confront a phobia head-on because board members
are unlikely to discuss itrdquo
W H AT rsquo S U P O N L I N E Toemspbroadenemsponlineemspdiscussionsemsponemspnonprofitemsptopicsemsp
wersquoreemsp expandingemsp ouremsp Discussionemsp Forumemsp withemsp aemspListServeemspprovidedemspbyemspYahooemspGroupsemspToemspjoinemspyouemspcanemspeitheremspclickemsponemsptheemspldquoYahoordquoemspbuttonemspat
httpwwwNonprofitWorldorgsocialemsp(freeemspYahooemsploginemsprequired)
oremspsendemspaemspblankemspe-mailemsptoNonprofitWorld-subscribeyahoogroupscom
IfemspyouemsphaveemspanyemspquestionsemspcontactemspJasonemspChmuraemspatemspjchmuraNonprofitWorldorg
More Board Woes AddressedForemspmoreemspdetailsemsponemsphealingemspboardemspafflictionsemspseeemsptheseemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers
Board Problems Reflected in Training Requestsemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp5)
How Effective Is Your Board Rate Yourself amp Take Actionemsp(Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
Use Coaching to Retain the Leaderrsquos Edgeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp2)
When Board Members Are Hurt amp Angry Strategies for Damage Controlemsp(Volemsp13emspNoemsp4)
Board Members Beware Warning Signs of a Dysfunctional Organizationemsp(Volemsp16emspNoemsp2)
How to Create a Strong Board-CEO Partnershipemsp(Volemsp27emspNoemsp1)
Where Can You Find Good Board Membersemsp(Volemsp17emspNoemsp5)
How Your Board Members Can Raise Funds without Asking for a Dimeemsp(Volemsp19emspNoemsp6)
Five Golden Rules for Board-Exec Retreatsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp1)emsp
Free Webinar Recording for Members Four Lessons an Olympian Can Teach Us about Communicating Expectations that Raise the Bar for the Board of Directors Learnemsppracticalemsptechniquesemspthatemspraiseemsptheemspbaremspforemspyouremspboardemspmembers
AlsoemspseeemspLearningemspInstituteemspprogramsemspon-lineemspBoardemspGovernanceemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgLearningInstitute)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
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ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 21
TheBestLeadersAreChangeAgents
Use this checklist to be sure yoursquore prepared for the changes to comeBy Carol S Ritter
Life in the nonprofit world has drastically changed over the last decade and the upheaval is continuing Nonprofit leaders canrsquot expect success unless they confront change directly becoming agents of change
So are you a changemaker As a leader today being a change agent isnrsquot only necessary itrsquos critical But before you can say
ldquoIrsquom a change agentrdquo you need to have a few things in place
Checklist for SuccessUse the following as a checklist to be sure you have the essential ingredients in place so that you can spark change in your organization
Your board members must believe that growth doesnrsquot occur without change ndash and act on that belief
You must have partners who share your vision and bring you new supporters and new dollars
You need a results driven growth plan with a timeline for success and a strong networking component
You must give lots of value to the community And you must communicate in a way that makes your value crystal clear
Steps to TakeIf yoursquore weak on any of the checklist items try taking one or more of the following recommendations Start by picking just one and move forward slowly but surely
Hold a board retreat Thatrsquos the best way to help your board members understand how important growing is to the future of your organization An annual board retreat will help assure that you have a board dedicated to growth
Encourage your board members to attend networking events Be sure they have a clear concise (no more than 30 seconds) response when someone asks ldquoWhat does your organization dordquo
Build relationships with the leaders in your community
Spend time attaining and measuring results real results Communicate those results clearly to all your stakeholders
Arrange for board members to speak publicly to spread the word about your organization Again arm them with a clear brief description of who you are what you stand for and how you impact the lives of others
Communicate using many different channels both offline and online in ways that reflect the preferences of your stakeholders
Become the ChangeChange agents understand the difference between managing people and leading them Managers handle direct and control operations Change agents lead by inspiring and influencing
As the leader of an organization can you let go and encourage your teammates to do what they do well Are you willing to let them fail in that process Are you there to help them reach their goals without criticism
Your utmost responsibility as a leader is to serve your board When you make your board members genuinely feel important and match the task with the skill they will perform
Not much is for sure in this ever changing world But you can count on this If you and your board are dedicated to change yoursquoll see more money better results and more supporters attracted to your causeemsp
Carol S Ritter (tellkidsaolcom caroltalkscom) is a professional speaker coach and consultant on nonprofit and educational leadership
Teaming Up for ChangeReademspmoreemspaboutemspmakingemspchangeemsphappenemspwithemsptheseemsparticlesemsp(wwwNonprofitWorldorgmembers)
The Promise and Pitfalls of Organizational Changeemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp4)
How Do Leaders of Nonprofit Partnerships Foster Collaborationemsp(Volemsp22emspNoemsp3)
Match Your Change Strategy to Your Organizationrsquos Maturityemsp(Volemsp21emspNoemsp5)
How to Assess and Improve Your Boardrsquos Performanceemsp(Volemsp24emspNoemsp1)
Transforming Your Organization from the Inside Outemsp(Volemsp25emspNoemsp4)
Are You Walking Your Walk Rate Yourself with This Easy-to-Use Gridemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp5)
How to Improve the Process of Change The Sanctuary Modelemsp(Volemsp28emspNoemsp6)
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
22emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Storytelling plays an integral role in our lives whether itrsquos teaching a lesson illustrating a point or selling a service Great stories spark creativity and cause people to view the world differently
Your organizationrsquos financial story is fundamental to achieving your mission and showcasing your accomplishments It demonstrates impact increases transparency and builds trust It helps you maintain a strong donor base obtain additional funding and thrive ndash even during tough economic times
Like a good book thatrsquos hard to put down the most powerful stories feature thought-provoking themes a range of emotions a dynamic plot and complex characters While nonprofits tell inspiring individual stories of the people they help they often do a poor job of using their financial success and challenges to tell an engaging story that resonates over time Accurate numbers add depth and spark action
Offer More than an Annual UpdateLarge investment firms provide daily real-time information on the performance of investorsrsquo assets While donors donrsquot want or expect to receive similar information on a daily basis from the nonprofits they support they would like more than an annual update
Like investors donors want to receive regular details about the organization managing their money They hunger for answers to questions like theseHas the organization grown over the last year What is its predicted growth in the coming yearHow does the organization measure programmatic and financial successWhat percentage of funds covers administrative expensesWhat are the organizationrsquos sources of revenue Is the organization primarily state or federally funded or does it receive funding from a variety of sourcesHow does the organization monitor compensation levels for its staffHow many people sit on the organizationrsquos board Where do they work
Does the board have a financial expert
When you treat donors the way fund managers treat their top investors yoursquoll reap rewards Your stakeholders will feel valued embrace your organizationrsquos story and commit to investing in your success
Forget the Balance Sheet Whatrsquos the best way to share your story with stakeholders Start by surveying donors Ask them how often they want to receive information and through which medium (e-mail mail etc)
In your communication with donors prioritize key financial highlights Donrsquot overwhelm donors with entire balance sheets income statements and hundreds of numbers Instead help them understand how they can help write the next chapter in your organizationrsquos story Share only relevant and abbreviated information that provides insight into the organizationrsquos financial status including
bull total revenue
bull total expenses
bull change in net assets
Relate all financial results to your mission Make the information clear concise and accurate Never assume that everyone interprets data points in the same way You need to show donors why the information matters and explain its implications in the short and long term Graphs and charts can help present the data in a compelling way since pictures often tell a clearer story than words
Despite the digital age far too many nonprofits waste thousands of dollars sending donors printed financial materials ndash including balance sheets and income statements ndash via mail Customized e-mail communication saves valuable resources
Companies present both negative and positive information to their stakeholders They often invest millions of dollars in ldquoreputation managementrdquo for numerous reasons ndash including protection during crises You can do the same You can build trust and strengthen your reputation with financial
TheStoryBehindtheNumbers
HowFinancialInformationShowcasesYourImpactItrsquos all about the story ndash and the way you tell it
By Frank Jakosz
$ $$ $$ $$
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
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TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
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AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 23
transparency A reputation for strong financial health over time can lead to increased support from individual donors when state and federal funding falls short during a budget crisis or when unexpected costs arise
Connect Mind with HeartIndividuals everywhere yearn for stories that evoke emotion Crafting a financial narrative alongside inspiring examples of human impact taps into stakeholdersrsquo emotions and motivates them to invest their intellectual and financial resources in your mission Nonprofits serve as agents for positive societal change By leveraging the power of an authentic and holistic story effective communication with stakeholders makes this change a reality for people around the world ndash every day emsp
Frank Jakosz CPA (fjakoszsikichcom) is a partner in Sikich LLPrsquos not-for-profit services practice (sikichcom) Frank has 42 years of public accounting experience and deep expertise in serving not-for-profits He has also co-authored numerous not-for-profit accounting publications and speaks at conferences and training sessions around the country He is an active member of various not-for-profit and other technical standards committees in several standard-setting accounting organizations
Your Financial StoryYouemspcanemspfindemspmoreemspwaysemsptoemsptellemspaemspcompellingemspfinancialemspstoryemspbyemspperusingemsptheemsparticlesemspatemspwwwNonprofitWorldorgemspincluding
Why Telling the Right Brand Story Matters So Much (Volemsp32emspNoemsp2)
The Nonprofit Overhead Myth Devil in the Detailsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp5)
Measuring Outcomes in the Real Worldemsp(Volemsp30emspNoemsp6)
Deeper Donor Relationships = Increased Contributionsemsp(Volemsp26emspNoemsp4)
Reach New Supporters with Multichannel Toolsemsp(Volemsp29emspNoemsp2)
Harnessing the Internet to Raise Fundsemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Key Performance Indicators Nonprofits Need Them Tooemsp(Volemsp31emspNoemsp2)
Free Webinar for Members Introduction to Online StorytellingemspLearnemsphowemsptoemspgetemspstorytellingemspstartedemspinemspyouremsporganizationemspandemspapplyemspitemspthroughemspaemspvarietyemspofemspmedia
bullemspemspemspemspemspAreemspYouemspTellingemsptheemspRightemspLiquidityemspStory
bullemspemspemspemspemspDivingemspintoemsptheemspHispanicemspDonoremspPool
bullemspemspemspemspemspToemspGainemspPassionateemspSupportersemspTryemspaemspFantasyemspCamp
bullemspemspemspemspemspAemspPrimeremsponemspGenerationalemspPhilanthropy
bullemspemspemspemspemspDoemsptheemspBenefitsemspofemspTax-ExemptemspLoansemspOutweighemsptheemsp
Costs
bullemspemspemspemspemspEmeritusemspBoardemspMembersemspTheemspHowemsptheemspWhyemsptheemspArt
bullemspemspemspemspemspWowemspPeopleemspwithemspYouremspDigitalemspMaterial
bullemspemspemspemspemspInsideemspOutemspAemspFreshemspPerspectiveemsponemspFindingemspVolunteersemsp
bullemspemspemspemspemspIsemspaemspPersonalizedemspLetteremspAlwaysemspBetter
bullemspemspemspemspemspNotemspaemspldquoSomedayrdquoemspDreamemspTheemspStepsemsptoemspSustainableemsp
Income
bullemspemspemspemspemspTheemspTopemspFiveemspDigitalemspToolsemspYouemspShouldemspBeemspUsingemspRightemsp
Now
Coming Up in Nonprofit
World
ldquoDonors want to receive regular details about the organization
managing their moneyrdquo
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
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AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
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ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
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The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
24emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
relevantemspreviews
Employees are the most important aspect of a nonprofit organization They define an organizationrsquos character affect its capacity to change and carry its knowledge base
Human resources management plays a key role in selecting motivating and developing employees Therefore itrsquos crucial to your organizationrsquos success At the same time human resource practices must be attuned to constituentsrsquo needs if you want to provide quality services
While this book is intended for health care organizations (which are defined very broadly in the book) its principles can be applied to any organization There are only a few short passages specific to the heath care professions most topics are inclusive enough to apply to any type of nonprofit
The authors explain how important human resources management is in staying competitive avoiding lawsuits and keeping constituents satisfied They cover job analysis selection procedures performance evaluation career development and factors influencing compensation Along the way they provide helpful practical examples Again nearly all these techniques are highly relevant to any nonprofit organization
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter allow the book to be used as a textbook However it seems most useful as a handbook helping to guide organizations in making decisions about employment practices by clarifying human resource principles
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly being held accountable to their purposes Strategic human resources management can help meet this demand by integrating personnel practices with the organizationrsquos mission This book demonstrates to leaders how human resource policies and procedures can proactively support the work of organizationsemsp
Terrence Fernsler MNPL has been a nonprofit professional for over 30 years He is currently an advisor to nonprofits and a PhD student in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies at James Madison University in Virginia
Developing Your Organizational TeamThisreader-friendlyhandbookprovidestheessentialsformanagingyourmostvitalresource
By Terrence Fernsler
Human Resources Management for Health Care Organizations A Strategic Approach By Joan E Pynes and Donald N Lombardi Softcover 424 pages John Wiley amp Sons Inc wileycom
Building PrideAnemspimportantemsppartemspofemsphumanemspresourcesemspmanagementemspisemspstrengtheningemspanemspallianceemspbetweenemspeachemspstaffemspmemberemspandemsptheemsporganizationemspHereemspareemspsomeemspaffiliationemspstrategiesemspthatemspwillemspleademsptoemspgreateremspcommonalityemspofemsppurposeemspandemspultimatelyemsporganizationalemspachievement
Create a credoemspndashemspaemspstatementemspofemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspbasicemspbeliefsemspGoingemspbeyondemsptheemspbasicemspmissionemspstatementemsptheemspcredoemspshouldemspreflectemspyouremspcoreemspvaluesemspandemspcommitmentemsptoemspyouremspcustomersemspEmblazeemsptheemspcredoemspwithemspyouremsplogoemspandemsppostemspitemspatemspallemspemployeeemspentranceemsppointsemspandemspotheremspplacesemspwhereemspitemspcanemspbeemspreadilyemspobservedemspasemspwellemspasemsponemspyouremspWebemspsite
Produce a set of ldquohouse rulesrdquoemspthatemspreinforceemsplessonsemsplearnedemspbyemspemployeesemspinemsptheiremspday-to-dayemspworkemspTheseemsprulesemspmightemspincludeemspcommon-senseemspmaximsemspsuchemspasemspldquoNeveremspsayemsplsquoIemspdonrsquotemspknowrsquoemspimmediatelyemspfindemspsomeoneemsptoemspansweremsptheemspquestionemspatemsphandrdquoemspTheseemsprulesemspnotemsponlyemsprepresentemspstandardsemspforemspconductemsptheyemspsupplementemsptheemspcredoemspandemspactemspasemspaemsppositiveemspreinforcementemspforemspstaffemspmembersemsp
Use T-shirts windbreakers and other garmentsemspbearingemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemsplogoemspcredoemspandemspotheremspfeaturesemsptoemspbondemspemployeesemspandemspboostemspawarenessemspinemsptheemspcommunityemspSuchemspbrandedemspitemsemsphaveemspaemsptremendousemspimpactemsponemspstaffemspmembersemspandemsptheiremspfriendsemspandemspneighborsemspemsp
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
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TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
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How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
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Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 25
nonprofitemspbriefsTop 10 Fundraising Trends Predictions amp Tips for the New YearHereemspareemsptheemspkeyemspissuesemspnonprofitsemspneedemsptoemspaddressemspthisemspyearemspaccordingemsptoemspfundraisingemspexpertemspGailemspPerryemsp(gailperrycom)emspInemspprovidingemspthisemspforesightemspsheemspnotesemspldquoIrsquomemspnotemsptoutingemspshinyemspnewemspideasemsporemspbe-allemspsolutionsemspEveryemspnonprofitemspneedsemspaemspwell-roundedemspfundraisingemspprogramemspwithemspdiversifiedemspsourcesemspofemsprevenueemspTheseemspareemsptheemspstrategiesemspthatemspareemspcomingemspintoemsptheiremspownemspasemspimportantemspSelectemspaemspfewemspthatemspcanemspenhanceemspyouremspworkemspandemspmakeemspitemsphappenrdquo
1 ldquoDonor loyaltyrdquo is the place to invest your resourcesemspSmartemspnonprofitsemsphaveemsplearnedemspthatemspitrsquosemspmuchemspmoreemspcostemspeffectiveemsptoemspretainemspcurrentemspdonorsemspthanemsptoemspbringemspinemspnewemspdonorsemspAcrossemsptheemspboardemspnonprofitsemspretainemsponlyemsponeemspinemspfiveemspnewemspdonorsemspusuallyemspbecauseemspofemspanemspabysmalemsppost-giftemspexperienceemspforemsptheemspdonoremspHerersquosemsptheemspplaceemsptoemspstartemspmdashemspbyemsptacklingemspyouremspdonoremspretention
bull Investemspmoreemspstaffemspandemspresourcesemspinemspdonoremsprelationsemsp
bull Measureemsptheemspperformanceemspofemspyouremspdonoremsprelationsemspprogramming
bull Educateemspyouremspleadershipemspandemspboardemspmembersemspinemspthisemspimportantemspmetric
2 Crowdfunding will become a serious fundraising tool ndash for the right nonprofitsemspCrowdfundingemspcanemspenlistemspnewemspsupportersemspbringemspinemspnewemspmajoremspdonorsemspandemspengageemspcurrentemspdonorsemspinemspsomethingemspplayfulemspsocialemspandemspmission-focusedemspAndemspitemspcanemspraiseemspsignificantemspmoneyemsptoo
bull Devoteemspresourcesemsptoemspyouremspsocialemspmediaemsppresence
bull Identifyemspdonorsemspwhoemspareemspactiveemspusersemspofemspsocialemspmediaemspandemspenlistemspthememsptoemspbeemspyouremsponlineemspldquoambassadorsrdquoemsp
bull ParticipateemspactivelyemspinemspGivingemspDays
3 The end is coming for general unrestricted fundraisingemspItrsquosemspundeniableemspDonorsemspgiveemspmoreemspwhenemsptheyrsquoreemspofferedemspaemspchanceemsptoemspfundemspaemspspecificemspprojectemspLookemspatemsptheemspsuccessemspofemspDonorsChooseorgemsporemspKickstarteremspcampaignsemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspfocusedemsponemspspecificemspprojectsemspandemspoutcomesemspandemspdonorsemsploveemspthatemspidea
bull Giveemspdonorsemsptheemspopportunityemsptoemspfundemspspecificemspprojectsemsp
bull Re-frameemspyouremspgeneralemspappealsemsptoemspfocusemsponemspdistinctemspprograms
4 The new communications tools will revolutionize how when and where nonprofits tell their storiesemspAllemspsortsemspofemspdifferentemspplatformsemspandemspchannelsemspareemspavailableemsptoemsphelpemspyouemspreachemspnewemspaudiencesemspandemspconnectemspmuchemspmoreemspdeeplyemspwithemspdonorsemspYouemspcanemspevenemspuseemsptechnologyemsptoemspdevelopemspcustomemspindividualemspstewardshipemspplansemspforemspdonorsemspAllemspofemsptheseemspareemsptransformingemspfundraisingemsptodayemspnewemsp(andemspfun)emspsocialemspmediaemsptoolsemspinnovationsemspinemspe-mailemspmarketingemsptheemspuseemspofemsppoignantemspimagesemspandemspvideoemspndashemspevenemspvideoemspembeddedemspinsideemsppaperemspcapitalemspcampaignemspcaseemspstatements
bull Increaseemspyouremspuseemspofemsptechnology
bull Expandemspyouremspskillemspsetsemspinemspnewemspmedia
bull Be willingemsptoemspinnovateemsptakeemsprisksemspandemspexperiment
5 Therersquos a new use of the word ldquophilanthropyrdquo instead of ldquofundraisingrdquoemspAndemspitemsphasemsptheemsppotentialemsptoemspshiftemspmanyemspattitudesemspforemsptheemspbetter
bull AskemspboardemspmembersemspvolunteersemspandemspprogramemspstaffersemsptoemspdiscussemsptheiremspldquoroleemspinemspphilanthropyrdquoemspratheremspthanemsptheiremspldquoparticipationemspinemspfundraisingrdquoemspTheemspmoreemspall-encompassingemspviewemspofemspldquophilanthropyrdquoemspfeelsemsplikeemspaemsphigheremspcallingemsptoemspouremspbetteremsphumanemspnatureemspSomehowemsptheemspwordemspldquofundraisingrdquoemspevokesemspsalesemspandemsppushinessemspmakingemsppeopleemspbackemspoff
6 Nonprofit leaders arenrsquot giving their staff the resources they need to raise fundsemspItrsquosemspnotemspaemspnewemspproblememspbutemspitemspseemsemsptoemspbeemspgettingemspworseemspinsteademspofemspbetteremspNonprofitsemspareemspleavingemspmoneyemsponemsptheemsptableemspndashemspjustemspsittingemspthereemspndashemspbecauseemspofemsptheiremspreluctanceemsptoemspinvestemspinemspfundraisingemspDevelopmentemspstaffersemspareemspstretchedemspimpossiblyemspthinemspmdashemspwithemspunbearableemspworkemsploadsemspAlasemspManagementemspissuesemspareemsptheemspbiggestemspimpedimentemsptoemspgreateremspfundraisingemsptotals
bull BudgetemspadequatelyemspforemspyouremspfundraisingemspprogramsemspEmbraceemspphilanthropyemspasemspanemsporganization-wideemspcommitmentemspsoemspthatemspstaffemspmembersemsparenrsquotemspleftemspaloneemsptoemspdoemsptheemspwork
7 Mobile giving will continue to increaseemspBlackbaudemspreportedemspthatemsp17emspofemspgiftsemspprocessedemsponemspGivingemspTuesdayemspcameemspfromemspmobileemspdevicesemspTheemsprateemsppeakedemspatemsp10emsppmemspwhenemsp42emspcameemspinemspfromemspsmartphonesemspandemsptablets
bull Make sureemspeverythingemspyouemspsendemspoutemspisemspldquomobile-enabledrdquo
8 New forms of philanthropy will continue to confound regular nonprofitsemspMogulsemspandemspbillionairesemspareemspchallengingemsptraditionalemspphilanthropyemspandemspcomingemspupemspwithemsptheiremspownemspstrategiesemsptoemspchangeemsptheemspworldemspGodemsphelpemspusemspImpactemspinvestingemspventureemspphilanthropyemspsocialemspenterpriseemspndashemsptheyrsquoreemspallemspprettyemspfaremspawayemspfromemsptheemspgoodemspsolidemsplocalemspnonprofitemspthatrsquosemsptryingemsptoemspfeedemspkidsemsporemspserveemsphotemspmealsemsptoemsptheemspelderlyemspManyemspnonprofitsemspcanrsquotemspreachemsptheseemspmegaemspdonorsemspcanrsquotemsptalkemsptheiremsplanguageemspandemspfindemsprelationshipsemspwithemspthememsptoemspbeemspchallenging
bull Donrsquot be dazzledemspbyemsptheseemspout-of-reachemspdonorsemspStickemsptoemsptheemspbasicsemspsolidemspdirectemspmailemspgreatemspWebemspsiteemspandemspmajoremspgifts
9 Funders and donors will require clear measures of performance and impact
bull Talk aboutemspyouremspaccomplishmentsemspinemspmeaningfulemspandemspmeasurableemspwaysemsp
bull Demonstrateemspclearemspresultsemspforemsptheemsppeopleemspandemspcausesemspyouemspserveemsp
bull Turnemspyouremspannualemspreportsemspintoemspldquoimpactemspreportsrdquo
10 Sustainer fundraising programs will be king
bull FocusemsponemspdevelopingemspaemspmonthlyemspdonoremspprogramemspOremspifemspyouemsphaveemsponeemspgiveemspitemspnewemspattentionemspandemspprominenceemspItrsquosemsptheemspgoldenemspplaceemspforemspsustainableemspfundraisingemspHintemspDonrsquotemspincludeemspaemspmonthlyemsprequestemspasemsppartemspofemspaemspregularemspappealemspInsteademspmakeemspitemspimportantemspmdashemspinemspaemspstand-aloneemspappeal
bull StickemspwithemspyouremspsustaineremspprogramsemspndashemspknowingemsptheyemspsometimesemsptakeemspyearsemsptoemspgainemsptractionemspBrandemspandemsppromoteemsptheseemspprogramsemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspEnjoyemsprepeatedemsprichemsprevenueemspfromemspaemsployalemspgroupemspofemspdonorsemsp
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
26emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
nonprofitemspbriefs
Does Your Board Model Lack the Key IngredientTheemspproblememspwithemspmostemspboardemspmodelsemspisemspthatemsptheyemspignoreemsptheemspmostemspimportantemspfactoremspofemspallemspasemspStephenemspBlockemsppointsemspoutemspinemsphisemsplatestemspbookemspSocial Work and Boards of Directors The Board Relationship Modelemsp(LyceumemspBooksemsplyceumbookscom)emspThatemspoverlookedemspbutemspessentialemsppieceemspofemsptheemsppuzzleemspisemsptheemsphumanemspelementemsp
InemsphisemspbookemspBlockemspdissectsemsptheemspmostemspcommonemspboardemspmodelsemspincludingemsptheemspTraditionalemspModelemspespousedemspbyemspCyrilemspHouleemspinemspThe Effective BoardemspandemsptheemspCarveremspModelemsppromotedemspbyemspJohnemspCarveremspinemspBoards that Make a DifferenceemspBothemspmodelsemspareemspldquorootedemspinemsphierarchyemsppoweremspandemspcontrolrdquoemspratheremspthanemspinterpersonalemsprelationsemspamongemspboardemspmembersemspandemsptheemspexecutiveemspdirectoremspBlockemspsays
BlockrsquosemspmodelemspndashemsptheemspBoardemspRelationshipemspModelemspndashemspisemspdifferentemspAfteremspinterviewingemsphundredsemspofemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspBlockemspfoundemspthatemsptheemspmostemspsuccessfulemsporganizationsemspeschewedemsptheemspusualemspmodelsemspandemspinsteademspfocusedemsponemspinterrelationships
AlthoughemspBlockemspnotesemspthatemspitrsquosemspnotemspanemspeasyemspmodelemsptoemspimplementemspheemspexplainsemspwhyemspitrsquosemspworthemsptheemspeffortemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspguidelinesemsptoemspsmoothemsptheemspway
Realize that the rule-bound models of the pastemsphaveemspledemsptoemspldquoexpectationemspoverloadrdquoemspcausingemspboardemspmembersemsptoemspstruggleemsptoemspmeetemspimpossibleemspdemandsemspInsteademspofemspreprimandingemspthememspforemspmissingemspboardemspmeetingsemspnotemspraisingemspfundsemsporemspfailingemsptoemspmeetemspallemsptheemspotheremspexpectationsemspsetemspoutemspinemspearlieremspboardemspmodelsemspfindemsptheemspreasonsemspforemsptheiremspunderperformanceemspandemsphelpemspmaximizeemsptheiremspstrengthsemspLetemspgoemspofemspexpectationsemspandemspbeemspgratefulemspforemspwhateveremsptheyemspcanemspgiveemspBlockemsphasemspfoundemspthatemspthisemspsimpleemspshiftemspinemspviewpointemspisemspliberatingemspforemspexecutiveemspdirectorsemspwhoemsphaveemspbeenemspexpectingemsptooemspmuchemspfromemspbusyemsppeopleemspwithemsplimitsemsponemsptheiremsptimeemspandemspenergy
Be sure the board isnrsquot too largeemspTheemspbiggeremsptheemspgroupemsptheemspmoreemspchanceemspthatemspdysfunctionalemsprelationshipsemspwillemspformemspandemsptheemspharderemspitemspwillemspbeemsptoemspdevelopemspcamaraderieemspYoursquollemsphaveemsptheemspbestemspchanceemsptoemsppromoteemsphealthyemsprelationshipsemspinemspaemspboardemspofemsparoundemsp12emsptoemsp15emsppeople
Keep an eye on how board members communicateemspwithemspyouemspandemspwithemsponeemspanotheremspBeemspsensitiveemsptoemspemotionsemspsuchemspasemsptheemspsadnessemsppeopleemspfeelemspwhenemspaemspboardemspmemberemspleavesemspifemspyouemspdonrsquotemspacknowledgeemspthatemspsenseemspofemsplossemspotheremspboardemspmembersemspmayemspalsoemspdecideemsptoemspleave
Never discount the importance of foodemspIncludeemspbreakfastemsplunchemsporemspsnacksemspwithemspeveryemspboardemspmeetingemspEatingemsptogetheremspbondsemsppeople
Whenever board members have a negative experience counter it withemspfiveemsppositiveemsponesemspIfemsptherersquosemspaemspdisagreementemspduringemspaemspboardemspmeetingemspforemspexampleemspbalanceemspitemspwithemsphumorousemspcommentsemspanecdotesemspcomplimentsemspandemspquestionsemspthatemspdrawemsppeopleemspintoemsptheemspdiscussionemsp
Take time to meet with each board member periodically for breakfast or lunchemspGetemsptoemspknowemspwhatemspmotivatesemspthememspandemspfindemspwaysemsptoemspprovideemspwhateveremspitemspisemspthatemspmakesemspeachemspindividualemspproudemsptoemspbeemsppartemspofemspyouremsporganization
Be an equal partner to the boardemspYoursquoreemspnotemsptheemspboardrsquosemspbossemspnoremspdoesemsptheemspboardemspholdemspaemsppositionemspofemspauthorityemspoveremspyouemspTheemspmoreemspyouemspcanemspbeemspaemspcolleagueemspandemsppartneremsptoemspboardemspmembersemsptheemspmoreemspproductiveemsptheemsprelationshipemspwillemspbeemsp
Investing in Your PeoplePeopleemspareemsponeemspofemsptheemspmostemspunderutilizedemspresourcesemspinemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspNonprofitemspleadersemsptendemsptoemspinvestemspveryemsplittleemspinemspdevelopingemsptheemspabilitiesemspofemspstaffemspandemspvolunteers
The Talent Development Platformemsp(josseybasscom)emsppresentsemspaemspsystememspforemspleadingemspyouremsporganizationemsptoemspincreasedemspperformanceemspbyemspsupportingemspyouremspemployeesrsquoemsptalentsemspemspComponentsemspofemspthisemspsystememspinclude
Evaluate the organizationrsquosemsplearningemspcapabilities
Assess each individual in the organizationemspinemsp10emspfieldsemspofemsppractice
Match peoplersquos learning stylesemsptoemsptrainingemspopportunities
Structure a talent development planemspforemspeachemspperson
FiscallyemspconstrainedemspnonprofitsemspoftenemspplaceemspstaffemspdevelopmentemsponemsptheemspbackemspburneremspemspThisemspbookemspnotemsponlyemspmakesemsptheemspargumentemspforemspdevelopingemsptheemspskillsemspofemspyouremsppeopleemsptoemspimproveemspyouremsporganizationrsquosemspworkemspitemspdemonstratesemsphowemsptoemspdoemspitemspandemspwhatemspitemsptakesemsptoemspmakeemspitemspworkemspwellemspemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is Your Board Asking the Right QuestionsEffectiveemspboardemspleadershipemspisemspallemspaboutemsptheemspwillingnessemsptoemspaskemspgoodemspquestionsemspHereemspareemspaemspfewemspyouremspboardemspshouldemspbeemspasking
1 Are we prepared to respond to a changing worldemspDoemspweemspkeepemspouremspearsemsptoemsptheemspgroundemspbyemspholdingemsppublicemspforumsemspwhereemspweemspcanemsplistenemsptoemspcommunityemspmembersemspDoemspweemspknowemspwhatrsquosemsphappeningemspinemspouremspstateemsphouseemspandemspinemspWashingtonemspDoemspweemspholdemspanemspannualemspboardemspretreatemsptoemspdigemspdeeperemspintoemspcomplexemspissuesemspDoemspweemsphaveemspgoodemspradaremsptoemspsenseemspimportantemspshiftsemspinemsptheemspworldemsparoundemspus
2 Do we know if our programs are having an impactemspWhatemspisemsporemspisnrsquotemspworkingemspWhyemspDoemspweemsphaveemsphardemspdataemsptoemspbackemspupemspouremspclaims
3 Have we built a secure financial baseemspHaveemspweemspsavedemspforemspaemsprainyemspdayemsp
4 Do we have monitoring systems in place to ensure that wersquore getting accurate financial dataemspHaveemspweemspinspectedemsptheemsporganizationrsquosemspfinancesemspourselvesemspasemspwellemspasemsphavingemspanemspoutsideemspexpertemspdoemspso
5 Do we govern rather than manageemspDoemspweemsphaveemspformalemsppoliciesemspthatemsphelpemspusemspdelegateemspeffectivelyemspDoemspouremspboardemspmeetingsemspfocusemsponemspquestionsemspofemspmajoremsppolicyemspratheremspthanemsphowemspmanyemspfundraisingemsplettersemsptoemspsendemspoutemspthisemspyear
6 Do we think and act strategicallyemspHowemspcanemspweemspdoemspmoreemspofemspwhatemspmakesemspusemspsuccessfulemsp
ndashemspemspfromemspMake Your Board Dramatically More Effective Starting Todayemsp(EmersonemspandemspChurchemspemersonandchurchcom)
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
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E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
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- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
januaryemspemspfebruaryemspemspmarchemspemsp2016emsp emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp |emsp 27
nonprofitemspbriefsWhy We Need a Fundraising RevolutionldquoFundraisingemspresultsemspareemsplousyrdquoemspthroughoutemsptheemspnonprofitemspsectoremspsaysemspEllenemspBristolemspinemspFundraising the SMART Wayemsp(wileycomemspbristolstrategygroupcom)emspNonprofitsrsquoemspdismalemspresultsemspcomparedemsptoemspmuchemspbetteremspoutcomesemspbyemspfor-profitsemsprevealemsptheemspneedemspforemspaemsprevolutionemspinemsptheemspdisciplineemspofemspfundraisingemsp
Nonprofitsemsppossessemspmanyemspadvantagesemspndashemspsuchemspasemsphighemsppublicemspawarenessemspandemspadmirationemspndashemspthatemspfor-profitsemspwouldemspkillemspforemspSoemspwhyemspdoemspnonprofitsemsptolerateemspsuchemspanemicemspflowsemspofemspincomeemspwhenemsptheyemspcouldemspdoemspsoemspmuchemspbetteremsp
TheemspproblememspBristolemspsaysemspisemspthatemspmanyemspnonprofitsemsprelyemsponemsphopeemspratheremspthanemspaemspdocumentedemspmeasurableemspsetemspofemspkeyemspperformanceemspindicatorsemspsoemsptheiremspdevelopmentemspeffortsemspfocusemsponemspworkingemspharderemspnotemspsmarteremspSheemspurgesemspnonprofitsemsptoemsprememberemspfouremspsimpleemsprulesemspofemspprocessemspmanagement
1 You canrsquot manageemsporemspimproveemspitemspifemspyouemspcanrsquotemspmeasureemspit
2 What you measureemspisemspwhatemspyouemspget
3 You canrsquot figure out muchemspbyemspusingemspaemspsingleemspmeasurement
4 If the only thing you measureemsphappensemspafteremsptheemspprocessemspisemspcompleteemspyouemspwonrsquotemsplearnemspmuchemsp
InemspotheremspwordsemspmeasuringemspthingsemspthatemspareemspdiagnosticemspusingemspaemsprangeemspofemspmeasurementsemspandemspmakingemspsureemspthatemspyouemspmeasureemspthingsemspatemsptheemspbeginningemspmiddleemspandemspendemspofemspaemspprocessemspallemspcombineemsptoemspprovideemspmanagementemspcontrolsemspoveremsptheemspfundraisingemspfunctionemspNonprofitemspleadersemspwhoemsppracticeemsptheseemspprinciplesemspwillemspenjoyemspaemsprevolutionaryemspsurgeemspinemspfundraisingemspresultsemsp
How to Avoid Burnout IfemspyoursquoreemspfeelingemspunmotivatedemspandemspstressedemspatemspworkemspyoursquoreemspnotemspaloneemspStudiesemspfindemspthatemspalmostemsphalfemspofemspallemspsurveyedemspworkersemspadmitemsptoemspfeelingemspburnedemspoutemspHereemspareemspsomeemspstrategiesemsptoemsphelpemspyouemsppreventemspmitigateemsporemsprecoveremspfromemspburnout
Explore your creative sideemspAnemspinnovativeemspmindsetemspisemspaemspvitalemspkeyemsptoemspstayingemspfreshemsppassionateemspandemspengagedemspItrsquosemspalsoemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeysemsptoemsporganizationalemspsuccessemspTakeemspaemspclassemspinemspartemspmusicemsporemspwritingemspReademspbooksemspsuchemspasemspOrdinary GeniusemspbyemspKimemspAddonizioemspandemspThe Poetry Home Repair ManualemspbyemspTedemspKooseremspwhichemspexplainemsphowemsptoemspunleashemspyouremspimaginationemspbyemspwritingemsppoetryemsp
Find one or more buddies and get together on a regular basisemsptoemspdiscussemspyouremspstressorsemspyouremspworriesemspyouremspfailuresemspandemspyouremspsuccessesemspBeemspsureemsptherersquosemspsomeoneemspoutsideemspyouremspofficeemspwhoemspwillemspletemspyouemspventemspinemspconfidenceemspaboutemspyouremspworkemspAlsoemspfindemspsomeoneemspyouemspcanemsptalkemsptoemspaboutemspyouremsppersonalemspgrowthemspandemspnon-workemspdevelopment
Imagine yoursquore interviewing people for your own jobemspHowemspwouldemspyouemspdescribeemspitemsptoemspthememspWhatemspareemsptheemspbenefitsemspchallengesemspandemspopportunitiesemspinherentemspinemspyouremspworkemspSeeemspifemspthisemspperspectiveemspgivesemspyouemspideasemspaboutemsphowemsptoemspenjoyemspyouremspjobemspinemspaemspnewemspwayemspandemspdelegateemsptheemsppartsemspofemspitemspthatemspyouemspdonrsquotemsprelish
Keep a log of the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of your dayemspFeelemsptheemspemotionsemspconnectedemspwithemsptheseemspexperiencesemspasemspfullyemspasemsppossibleemspRecognizeemspacceptemspandemspthenemspreleaseemspthem
When you wake up in the morning donrsquot leap out of bedemspTakeemspfiveemspminutesemsptoemsplieemspthereemspandemsptakeemspadvantageemspofemspthatemspwonderfulemsptwilightemspbetweenemspsleepingemspandemspwakingemspThatrsquosemspwhenemspyoursquoreemsplikelyemsptoemsphaveemspyouremspgreatestemspinsightsemspIfemspyouemspuseemspitemspwellemspitemspcanemspbeemspyouremspmostemspproductiveemspandemsprewardingemsptimeemspofemsptheemspday
Do exercises like the ones in Waking Up Happy A Handbook of Change with Memoirs of Recovery and Hope (httpwwwamazoncomWaking-Up-Happy-Handbook-Recoverydp1468126350) which includes ldquo365 Steps on Your Journeyrdquo ndash an exercise you can do every day to renew yourselfemspAskemspothersemsptoemspdoemsptheemspsameemspexercisesemspsoemspthatemspyouemspcanemspdiscussemspresultsemspandemspshareemspinsightsemsp
How Resilient Are YouResilienceemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspkeyemspcomponentsemspofemspemotionalemspintelligenceemspwhichemspisemspanemspimportantemspprerequisiteemspforemspeffectiveemspleadership
AreemspyouemspaemspresilientemsppersonemspConsideremsptheemspfollowingemspscenariosemspandemspansweremsptheseemspquestionsemspldquoYesrdquoemsporemspldquoNordquo
1 You make a mistakeemspandemspareemspcriticizedemspforemspitemspCanemspyouemspshrugemspitemspoffemspandemsptakeemspitemspasemspaemsplearningemspexperience
2 Your water heater breaksemspCanemspyouemspkeepemspitemspfromemspaffectingemspyouremspmoodemspknowingemspyouemspcanemspjustemspcallemspaemspplumberemspandemspgetemspitemspfixed
3 Yoursquore being consideredemspforemspanemspimportantemspprofessionalemspawardemspandemspitemspgoesemsptoemspsomeoneemspyouemspconsideremsplessemspqualifiedemspCanemspyouemspmoveemsponemspquickly
4 A driver uses the shoulderemsptoemspzoomemspinemspfrontemspofemspaemsplongemsplineemspofemsptrafficemspCanemspyouemspshakeemspitemspoffemspquicklyemspratheremspthanemspfumingemspaboutemspitemspforemspaemsplongemsptime
5 You try a new restaurantemspandemsptheemspfoodemspisemspawfulemspandemsptheemspserviceemspsnootyemspCanemspyouemspacceptemsptheemspsituationemspwithoutemsplettingemspitemspruinemspyouremspevening
AnemspemotionallyemspresilientemsppersonemspwillemspbeemspableemsptoemspansweremspmostemsporemspallemspofemsptheseemspquestionsemspwithemspaemspresoundingemspldquoYesrdquoemsp
Toemspbecomeemspmoreemspresilientemspuseemspmentalemsptechniquesemspsuchemspasemspthese
Cognitive behavior therapyemspIdentifyemspirrationalemsphurtfulemspthoughtsemspandemspreplaceemspthememspwithemspmoreemsprationalemsphelpfulemspmessagesemsptoemspyourself
Mindfulness meditationemspSittingemspquietlyemspturnemspoffemsptheemspchatteremspinemspyouremspmindemspbyemspobservingemspyouremspthoughtsemspwithoutemspjudgmentemspthenemsplettingemspthememspgo
Well-being therapyemspPayemspattentionemsptoemspwaysemspyouemspcanemspbeemspmoreemspgenerousemsppositiveemspandemspoptimisticemsp
ndashemspadaptedemspfromemspThe Emotional Life of Your Brainemsp(HudsonemspStreetemspPressemsppenguincommeetpublishershudson-street-press)
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
28emsp |emsp nonprofitworldorgemsp emsp volumeemsp34emspbullemspnumberemsp1
Money for MeaningAsemsppractitionersemspsteepedemspinemspcapitalismemsptheemspauthorsemspofemspThe Impact Investor Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalismemsp(JohnemspWileyemspampemspSonsemspwileycom)emspbelieveemspstronglyemspthatemspcapitalismemspwillemspcontinueemsptoemspevolveemspandemspnotemspcollapseemspinemsponemspitselfemspEvolvingemspmeansemspcapitalismemspmustemspturnemspoutwardemspcollaboratingemspwithemsptheemspcivilemspandemsppublicemspsectorsemspMostemspbusinessemsppeopleemsp(althoughemspnotemspnecessarilyemsptheemspmostemspinfluentialmdashyet)emspareemsprealizingemspthatemspaemspsocialemspcontractemsprequiresemspatemspleastemspsomeemspprivateemspsectoremspinvestmentemspinemspsocialemspconcerns
CollaborativeemspcapitalismemspacknowledgesemspthatemsppeopleemspcanemspmakeemspaemspprofitemspwhileemspinvestingemspinemspprojectsemspthatemsphaveemspaemspcommunityemspimpactemspSuchemspimpactemspinvestingemspcanemspbeemspdoneemspbyemspindividualsemsporemspinstitutionsemspTheemspauthorsemsp(CathyemspClarkemspJedemspEmersonemspandemspBenemspThornley)emspexploreemspimpactemspinvestmentemspopportunitiesemspacrossemsptheemspboardemspinsistingemspthatemspinvestmentemspwithoutemspconsiderationemspofemspcommunityemspimpactemspisemspunsustainable
EspeciallyemspintriguingemspforemspnonprofitemspstakeholdersemspareemsptheemsplastemsptwoemspchaptersemspTheemspfirstemspofemsptheseemspdiscussesemspldquomultilingualemspleadershiprdquoemspndashemspthatemspisemsplearningemsptheemsplanguageemspofemspbothemsptheemspfinancialemspandemspsocialemspsectorsemspsoemspthatemsppeopleemspfromemsponeemspsectoremspunderstandemspwhatemsppeopleemspfromemsptheemspotheremspareemsptalkingemspaboutemspThisemspisemspvitalemsptoemspcollaborationemspThenemsptherersquosemspaemsplookemspatemsptrendsemspinemspimpactemspinvestingemspandemspscenariosemspforemspitsemspfutureemspTheseemsptrendsemspareemspoccurringemspnowemspandemspnonprofitemspleadersemspwouldemspbeemspwiseemsptoemsppayemspattentionemsptoemspthem
ThisemspbookemspshouldemspgetemsporganizationsemspthinkingemspaboutemsptheiremspownemspinvestmentsemspnoemspmatteremsptheemspsizeemspMoreemsptoemsptheemsppointemspthereemsphasemspbeenemspincreasedemspoverlapemspinemsptheemspoperationsemspandemspgoalsemspofemsptheemspsocialemspandemspbusinessemspsectorsemsprecentlyemspandemsptheemspkindemspofemspinvestingemsphighlightedemspinemspthisemspbookemspwillemsphaveemsptremendousmdashandemspgrowingmdashimpactemsponemspouremsporganizationsemsp
ndashemspreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
Is There an ldquoIrdquo in ldquoTeamrdquoTheemsptitleemspofemspMarkemspdeemspRondrsquosemspbookemspsaysemspitemspallemspThere Is an I in TeamemspTryingemsptoemsppretendemspthereemspisnrsquotemspasemspmanyemsphaveemspdoneemspoveremsptheemspyearsemsponlyemspmakesemspteam-buildingemspmoreemspdifficultemspInsteademspweemspneedemsptoemsprecognizeemspappreciateemspandemspbuildemsponemsppeoplersquosemspindividualemspdifferencesemsp
Thisemspinsightfulemspbookemsp(publishedemspbyemspHarvardemspBusinessemspReviewemspPressemsphbrorg)emspdebunksemspmanyemsplong-heldemspassumptionsemspandemspidentifiesemsptheemspchallengesemspinvolvedemspinemspthisemspnewemspwayemspofemspthinkingemspaboutemspteamsemspForemspexample
The oldemspEveryoneemspneedsemsptoemspbeemsponemsptheemspsameemsppage
The newemspPeopleemsphaveemspdifferentemspversionsemspofemsprealityemspWhetheremsptheyrsquoreemspcorrectemspisemsplessemsprelevantemspthanemspwhatemsptheiremsprealitiesemsptellemspyouemspaboutemsptheiremsppriorities
The challengeemspLearnemsptoemspmanageemspconflictemspconstructively
ConflictemspwithinemspteamsemspisemspinevitableemspRatheremspthanemspsomethingemsptoemspbeemspavoidedemspitrsquosemspaemspgoodemspthingemspasemsplongemspasemsppeopleemspremainemsprespectfulemspofemsponeemspanotheremspSimplyemspremindingemsppeopleemspofemspwhatemspmattersemsptoemspeachemspofemspthememsppersonallyemspisemspoftenemspaemspgoodemspfirstemspstepemspinemspcalmingemsptheemspwatersemspDoingemspsoemspwillemsphelpemspthememsprealizeemsphowemspworkingemsponemsptheiremspownemspaspirationsemspcanemspoftenemspbeemsptheemspbestemspwayemsptoemspsupportemsptheemspteam
Researchemspshowsemspthatemspcoachingemspteamemspmembersemspone-on-oneemspgreatlyemspimprovesemsptheemspteamrsquosemspperformanceemspHelpingemsppeopleemspworkemspthroughemspindividualemspissuesemspisemsponeemspofemsptheemspbestemspwaysemsptoemspstrengthenemsptheemspteamemspasemspaemspwholeemsp
Creating Social ChangeWhatemspdoemspoustingemspaemspmurderousemsptyrantemspandemspincreasingemsptheemspminimumemspwageemsphaveemspinemspcommonemspTheyrsquoreemspbothemspactsemspofemspsocialemspjusticeemspAlthoughemspnotemspasemspoppressiveemspasemsptyrantsemspbureaucraticemsprulesemspcanemsprepressemsppeopleemspInemspBlueprint for Revolution How to Use Rice Pudding Lego Men and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities Overthrow Dictators or Simply Change the Worldemsp(SpiegelemspampemspGrauemspwwwspiegelandgraucom)emspSrdjaemspPopovicemsprecommendsemspmanyemspofemsptheemsptacticsemspprofessedemspbyemspSaulemspAlinskyemspinemsptheemspmid-twentiethemspcenturyemsptoemspcorrectemspsocialemspwrongsemspndashemspcreatingemspdilemmaemspsituationsemsphelpingemsppeopleemspclaimemsptheiremsppoweremspandemspisolatingemsptheemsptargetemspamongemspothersemspHeemspcombinesemsptheseemsptacticsemspwithemsptheemspnonviolenceemsppromotedemspbyemspGandhiemspandemspMartinemspLutheremspKingemspJr
FightingemspinjusticeemsptakesemspmoreemspthanemsptacticsemspButemsptheemsptacticsemspareemspwhatemspgetemspnoticedemspandemsptendemsptoemspmotivateemsppeopleemspwhichemspisemspwhyemsptheyemspmustemspbeemspfunemspeasyemspandemsptiedemsptoemspsomethingemspmostemsppeopleemspcareemspaboutemspThereemspmustemspalsoemspbeemspcommitmentemsptoemsptheemsplongemsphaulemspandemspwillingnessemsptoemspsacrificeemspwhetheremspitrsquosemspgivingemspupemspshoppingemspatemspaemspfavoriteemspstoreemsporemspriskingemspjailemsporemspbeingemspbeatenemspmdashemsptheemsplevelemspofemspsacrificeemspwillemspbeemspdifferentemspforemspdifferentemsppeopleemspSocialemspjusticeemspcanemsphappenemspanywhereemspbecauseemsptheemspvastemspmajorityemspofemsppeopleemspwantemspitemspandemspbelieveemspinemspit
emspItemspisemsppeopleemspinemsptheemspformemspofemspsupportersemspthatemspmakeemspupemspnonprofitemsporganizationsemspInemspofferingemspaemspnewemspperspectiveemspinemsporganizingemspouremspsupportersemspthisemspbookemspisemspaemspvaluableemspadditionemsptoemspnonprofitemspliteratureemspYouemspmayemspnotemspuseemspallemspofemspPopovicrsquosemspsuggestionsemspbutemspBlueprint for Revolutionemspcanemsphelpemspyouemsprethinkemsphowemsptoemsporganizeemsppeopleemspforemspsocialemspchangeemsp
ndashreviewedemspbyemspTerrenceemspFernsler
nonprofitemspbriefs
laughteremspalertYOU WRITE THE CAPTION CONTESTSubmitemspyouremspbestemspcaptionemspforemsptheemspcartoonemspbelowemsptoemspJillNonprofitWorldorg Winemspaemspprizeemspandemsphaveemspyouremspcaptionemspfeaturedemspinemspouremspnextemspissue
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
We Know Nonprofits
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at premium you can afford
bull Over 35 yearsrsquo experience working with nonprofits
bull Coverage for more than 30 unique classes bull Insurance portfolio
ndash Directorsrsquo amp Officersrsquo Liability ndash Umbrella Liability ndash Showstoppers Event Cancellation Insurance ndash Property amp Casualty Insurance ndash Volunteer Accident Insurance
Affinity Nonprofits is the program name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services Inc (TX 13695) (AR 100106022) in CA amp MN AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc (CA 0795465) in OK AIS Affinity Insurance Services Inc in CA Aon Affinity Insurance Services Inc (CA 0G94493) Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY AIS Affinity Insurance Agencycopy 2015 Affinity Insurance Services Inc E-11410-815
Find peace of mind at a premium you can afford contact us at
8004327465 | dnocustomerserviceaoncom wwwnonprofitinsurancesolutionscom
Your insurance should be too
Your nonprofitis distinctly
individual
E-11410-815indd 2 72415 318 PM
At Affinity Nonprofits we customize your insurance program to fit your unique needs and we do it at a premium you can afford
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services
TheemspSocietyemspforemspNonprofitemspOrganizationsPOemspBoxemsp510354emspLivoniaemspMichiganemsp48151
Begin your free trial today Call 800-220-8111 or visit donorperfectcomNP-world
Fundraise Boldly DonorPerfectrsquos smart custom reporting helps you make data-based decisions you can count on
ldquoDonorPerfect software made my job so
much easier by having everything at my fingertips Now when someone asks a question I answer it within minutesldquo
- Karen Duell Community Blood Center Community Tissue Services