Governance, follow the leader?
So, who leads the governance process? Is it the Board? Is it the staff?I wondered to what role does the staff or Board play in shifting a culture that is not longer useful? In fact, sometimes a management culture can be downright disruptive…
Love me or lose me – How donor communications can do both.
We often talk about banning jargon when we speak to others about our organisation. And, that is so needed. But, I would like to take it one step further, and say that we are not here to "educate" our donors about what we do.They don't…
Governance and the Founder – a Crossroads at Your Nonprofit
The founder. What does that mean to be a founder of an organisation? And, how does that impact the relationship with your Board of Directors?
organisations have natural life cycles and founders play a unique role in the organisation that…
How well are you meeting your nonprofit’s mission?
How big is your need?Interestingly enough, a group that I am currently working with is in the process of conducting an outside needs assessment. I think this is such a wise move. Over the years, I have led strategic planning and board…
Is Your Board Looking Through the Lens of Mission?
The lens of mission must guide everything that a Board of Directors decides in an organisation. Everything.Board members are the vanguard of the mission. They develop it; they refine it, and they ensure it. They ensure that the organisation…
From here to minutia…Board of Directors and their committees
Ah, Board committees. Now, we get knee deeper into confusion. So, keeping the Board focused on governance is challenging work. Keeping the committees focused on governance seems at times almost impossible.A few observations from the field.Just…
Great expectations for Board Members
Last week, I noted how all-volunteer and small staffed organisations must engage in governance at the Board level. I pointed out that one of the first steps is to secure commitment to change. Some groups may not want to change and need to…
Corporate Governance is a Must Even in Your Small Nonprofit
Board governance is challenging work. It is especially difficult for smaller organisations. Even more so in all volunteer organisations.When organisations lack staff including an Executive Director, it is the Board of Directors who often…
What running Mt. Washington taught me about fundraising
This past weekend, I embarked on an event that frightened me. Literally and figuratively.You see, several months ago, I entered a lottery. And, the drawing was for a chance to run up Mt. Washington in the Mt. Washington Auto Road Race.…
Reflecting on a career in fundraising; simpler times
Twenty-two years is an awfully long time. I can't believe it has gone by that quickly. And, it all happened by pure chance or maybe little small choices all along the way. Now, I find myself a CFRE and have my Masters in Fundraising and…
Fundraising in the trenches, getting out of your funk!
Feeling listless, stressed, in a funk? Snap out of it!
I have been in the field of fundraising for a long time. And, I know that sometimes (maybe a lot of occasions), development work can be hard and draining, and sometimes you end up in…
