Note: This post – the first in a three-part series – is by Train Your Board partner Laurel McCombs. Thanks, Laurel! In recent years, there’s been much discussion about the generosity crisis. I understand the data: the number of people giving to traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofits has been declining for more than a decade. In the last few … [Read more...]
Listening as leadership
Over the years, I’ve facilitated dozens of strategic planning retreats. Sometimes the executive director, CEO, or board president – somebody with a title and the power that comes with it – will pull me aside and ask a thoughtful question: “How much should I talk?” Here’s a variation: “Maybe I should just listen and not speak too much. … [Read more...]
Feed people!
Several decades ago, I worked at Native Seeds/SEARCH, a nonprofit based in Tucson, Arizona. Their mission: “Conserve and promote the arid-adapted crop diversity of the Southwest in support of sustainable farming and food security.” In addition to collecting, saving, and distributing seeds, the organization offers educational programs … [Read more...]
My three succession plans
In recent years, I’ve been leading workshops and webinars on leadership transition and succession planning. It's a significant aspect of my business. If you believe the maxim, “An expert is anyone who knows 5% more than most people,” then perhaps I qualify. I’ve read a little (and written a little) on this subject. I’ve talked with lots … [Read more...]
Power below radar: The innovation and influence of ad hoc groups
Note: My colleagues Christal M. Cherry, Renee Rubin Ross, and I have been exploring tweaks, hacks, and alternatives to the traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure. This post is the first in an informal series. – Andy When I say “nonprofit,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you picture the entire sector: a $2 trillion dollar industry across … [Read more...]
The nuts and bolts of succession planning
Let’s start with some big questions… Does your organization aspire to solve a problem, declare victory, and go out of business? If so, what would victory look like – and when will it happen? Are you building a resilient nonprofit that can persist and thrive? How would you know? How do you measure resilience? When you step back, who … [Read more...]
Consultants: First, do no harm
A former client called last week. He had hired a team of consultants to facilitate a two-day planning retreat and the event had gone badly. It’s a long story, but here’s the gist. The consultants did their homework and carefully prepared the agenda. However, once the retreat began, they faced a lot of tangents, conflict, and … [Read more...]
What I learned facilitating my first hybrid workshop
Note: This guest post is from Nora Ellertsen of The Funding Seed. Thanks, Nora! Before the pandemic, my company hosted monthly in-person fundraising workshops here in New Orleans. Over eight years, I developed content, activities, and presentation strategies for those trainings. Like many of us, I switched to Zoom during COVID, … [Read more...]
The Talmud of Zoom
In the Jewish tradition, the Talmud is one of the core books: a primary source of Jewish law. The Talmud is drawn from centuries of oral teachings and includes the opinions of many, many rabbis. It was compiled about fifteen hundred years ago, with more commentary added in subsequent centuries. I’m no scholar, but what I most … [Read more...]
Post-pandemic icebreakers
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...]