It’s a busy fall of workshops and conferences for me. I’ve been hearing inspiring speakers and meeting accomplished, savvy experts. I’m enjoying a season of learning and networking. About now it’s time to synthesize themes and messages for big ideas that come through. Here are some issues and aims in my sights. Raising the Board […]
Although I write in the season of ghoulish fun, there’s no holiday “spirit” lurking in this blog. By “fresh blood” I mean bringing on younger board members – not a token one or two, but developing a mindset and method for achieving greater age balance as a rule. I’ve talked often about board composition and […]
This month I write fresh from a two-day workshop on exponential fundraising led by Jennifer McCrea of Harvard’s Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations. I was invited to attend and, as I always do in such seasoned company, expanded my knowledge and thinking through both Ms. McCrea’s dynamic presentations and the considerable experience of my workshop […]
Remember that infamous writing assignment on the first days of school, the one that nudged you to recount summer activities and what you learned? That simple phrase – what I learned this summer – has come to mind for me on numerous occasions as I apply my BoardSource training experience from July. Three lessons in […]
Okay, so I don’t usually wax poetic but lately a very old children’s rhyme has come to mind when I think about nonprofit boards and missed opportunities. Remember this one? For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider […]
People who know me – or have read enough of my blogs – know I’m passionate about learning. Something else about me: I practice what I preach. I regularly beat the drum for board education, but I too need – and want – to continually expand my knowledge of board governance. My June dashboard readers […]
Okay, so I don’t mean to be an I-told-you-so, but I cheered at recent news that GuideStar, the respected information source on nonprofits, is collaborating with BoardSource, the expert on all things board-related, to include “essential board leadership practices” in GuideStar’s organizational profiles. Nonprofits will have the option to answer questions about their board orientation […]
I’ve been addressing board issues and needs in my recent blogs. It’s not that the board is the only entity that matters in an organization. But board performance is pivotal and can make or undermine an organization. As I’ve also disclosed before, I’m a board member of a Hudson Valley nonprofit, and from that perspective […]
As 2014 gets underway, I wish every nonprofit a successful year in fulfilling your mission. And toward that end, a reminder: your fund development planning begins today. When I beat the drum for long-term planning, as I consistently do, it’s not just about cultivating donors. It’s also about considering who supports that process and how. […]
When someone you have just met responds with, “Tell me about your organization…” what do you say? Tick … tick … how do you begin? Tick … tick … is your answer clear? Is it memorable? Tick … tick … is there emotion in your words? Tick … tick … does your listener express interest […]