A few weeks ago, I led my first in-person, indoor job in 18 months (!) I traveled to Maine to facilitate a planning meeting for the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, a long-time favorite client. I had the pleasure of partnering with graphic facilitator Marsha Dunn to design and deliver the retreat. We began the day by asking … [Read more...]
Board president confidential
Several years ago I shared Treasurer Confidential, which described my experience as treasurer of a nonprofit board. My volunteer career has progressed and (surprise!) I’m now president of our grassroots, one-employee organization. In theory, I am well-qualified. I’ve served on multiple boards. I train boards for a living. I write books … [Read more...]
Consulting and COVID, Part 2: What will you keep?
In a previous post, I shared how consulting colleagues have responded to the pandemic: rethinking priorities, pivoting to new styles of work, embracing emerging opportunities. I’ve been inspired by their thoughtfulness, creativity, resilience, and commitment to justice. I asked them to reflect on what they’ll carry forward into the … [Read more...]
Consulting and COVID, Part 1: What changed?
Hey consultants! How has your work life changed over the last year? As we pass the pandemic anniversary and gradually emerge into whatever comes next, I’ve been asking peers how they’ve adapted to this new reality. Today’s post outlines changes in the world of consulting, training, facilitation, and self-employment. In the next … [Read more...]
Statistics and storytelling: How to turn numbers into narrative
Note: This guest post is from Dana Sanders of Osage Hill Associates. Thanks, Dana! Does the word statistics stress you out? Do you have bad memories of math class? I’m here to help. The nonprofit world is filled with data. This post outlines the methods you can use to collect data for and about your organization, and how to use what … [Read more...]
Three tips for improving your virtual board meetings
Note: This guest post is from consultant Alyson Molloy Hussey. Thanks, Alyson! 2020 was a challenging year for many organizations. Faced with a totally different environment, nonprofit leaders were forced to pivot, adapt, and get creative. How about you? What was your biggest adaptation over the last year? Some of these … [Read more...]
Using Asking Styles to train your board
Note: This guest post is from Brian Saber of Asking Matters. It’s adapted from his new book, Boards and Asking Styles: A Roadmap to Success. Thanks, Brian! For most nonprofits, board training is a challenge. And no wonder! The team meets infrequently — and can’t meet in person during the pandemic. Resources may be scarce. Furthermore, … [Read more...]
What’s a philanthropic advisor? How do I work with one?
Note: This guest post is from Christine Zachai of Forward Philanthropy. Thanks, Christine! Remember when everything was going really well with your favorite major donor? You had a lunch date every year, you knew the names of the children and grandchildren, and you were strategizing together about your next request. Then … [Read more...]
Allies in the room: Showing up alpha and sharing power
Note: This guest post is from Karen Strong of Strong Outcomes, LLC. Thanks, Karen! As a white woman who has worked in conservation for more than two decades – and who longed, for years, to be taken seriously as a professional – I thought I could gain credibility by behaving like the people who had power. Through conversations with … [Read more...]
Identifying potential donors … virtually
When it comes to fundraising, nothing beats one person talking with another … preferably in person. As a general rule, people will pledge five to ten times more during a scheduled, face-to-face conversation than they will donate by mail or contribute online. Back in the pre-COVID era, we had these conversations in living rooms, coffee … [Read more...]
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