Nonprofit Boards And Planning Learning
Embark on a journey of mastery in board governance and strategic planning with our selected collection of training videos– tailored exclusively for nonprofits. Venture into the intricate dynamics of board management, from recruitment and retention of effective board members to nurturing a culture of engagement and mutual respect. Explore the heart of strategic planning as nonprofit experts share compelling visions and means to devise actionable plans, and implement them successfully. You’ll learn how to synergize your board and staff and align them towards common goals and objectives. Whether you’re a newly formed nonprofit seeking structure and new board members or an established organization aiming to streamline processes and enhance impact, these inspiring learning sessions will give you a wealth of resources.
Leadership coach, Derek Mulhern, discusses leadership issues in the nonprofit sector. This sparkling discussion portray’s the need for leaders to inspire their teams on a deeper and more humane level. Derek’s insights highlight the importance of authentic leadership, transparent communication, and personal growth in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on the evolving dynamics and challenges faced by nonprofit organizations and their leaders.
Derek begins with, "I just see a huge need within the nonprofit space for us to really develop leaders that have the capacity to show up in a way that inspires other people on a deeper level on a more humane level because we're doing all this humane work right, we're all trying to create bigger change."
He also addresses the misconception of creating a "family culture" within nonprofits and how it often leads to caretaking rather than empowering employees. Derek advocates for transparency, communication, and allowing employees to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes.
Another important point he discusses is the evolving expectations of leaders in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the need for leaders to be empathetic and coach-like. He relates this to the impact of personal life experiences on leadership style and how individuals' unique backgrounds shape their leadership approaches.
This discussion is sure to spark your thinking on your own leadership style. Learn more at DerekMulhern.com
The founder of 4DaHood talks about the importance of creating spaces for racial healing during this conversation focused on empowering authentic leadership. Frank Velasquez, Jr.’s organization is dedicated to supporting nonprofits and individuals in addressing racial equity issues, and he shares insights into his journey, motivations, and the evolution of his work.
One of his key quotes during the discussion is, "Creating a space where people of color can heal." Frank underscores the significance of providing safe and supportive environments where people of color can come together to heal from the wounds of racial discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic inequities. These spaces offer individuals a sense of belonging and understanding among peers who share similar experiences.
Frank also describes the concept of "learning separately to lead collectively," emphasizing the need for separate spaces where both people of color and white allies can engage in learning and dialogue about racial issues from their unique perspectives. He points out that these separate spaces allow individuals to work through their own biases and challenges before coming together to collectively address racial equity. This approach recognizes the value of both groups working in tandem to bring about change in policies and systems.
Additionally, Frank highlights his efforts to create spaces for white allies to confront feelings of guilt and shame related to racial issues, acknowledging the significance of both people of color and white allies in the journey toward addressing systemic racism, emphasizing the importance of difficult conversations and the gradual process of chipping away at biases and misunderstandings.
As he looks ahead to 2024, Frank Velazquez Jr. predicts a growing empowerment of individuals to authentically address racial issues and discussed the positive impact of his organization's programs, citing instances where individuals advocated for themselves and overcame challenges related to race. Watch and learn more about Frank's work around providing safe spaces, fostering understanding, and empowering individuals to address racial equity both separately and collectively in pursuit of positive change.
In this annual Thanksgiving special episode, Host Julia Patrick shares the podium with her daughter Camaley Joy Patrick Jennings as they answer questions from NPO’s and discuss Camaley's work in the nonprofit sector and her experiences on a nonprofit board. Camaley works as a marketing and project manager at GitHub, a subsidiary of Microsoft, on their social impact team.
Camaley shares insights into how GitHub encourages its employees to engage in philanthropic activities, citing one of their programs that incentivizes volunteering by offering a donation of $20 for every hour volunteered, which employees can contribute to a nonprofit of their choice.
The two chat about the challenges of educating employees in the tech sector about philanthropy, along with aspects of how GitHub faces cultural differences in volunteerism and philanthropy among its international employees. Camaley also talks about the importance of personal connections in a remote work environment and the ongoing efforts to communicate and engage employees effectively.
Julia asks Camaley about her experiences serving on a nonprofit board and whether her age and background have influenced her interactions with other board members. Camaley shares her thoughts on the board she serves on and continues by emphasizing the importance of passion and finding a balance between impact-driven work in one's job and outside of it.
They explore the involvement of millennials in nonprofit boards, then discuss ways to make board commitments, especially financial ones, more achievable for younger board members. They propose the idea of offering scholarships to cover some of the financial commitments, thus diversifying the board's composition and perspectives.
This fun family tradition concludes with gratitude for Camaley's insights and wishes for a happy Thanksgiving.
In this inspirational discussion about leadership in the nonprofit sector, Anthony A. Dicks Jr., a senior leadership consultant at 180 Management Group, shares insights on developing courageous leaders. He defines courageous leadership as the ability to inspire others to aspire to do and be greater than themselves, emphasizing the importance of community, curiosity, competence, and confidence in achieving this goal.
As Anthony eloquently puts it, "The number one benefit of courageous leadership is that it's contagious." Indeed, he emphasizes that when one sees someone else leading with courage and doing so effectively, it has the power to bring out the same quality in others within the organization. This contagion effect, where courageous leadership becomes a shared trait, can have a transformative impact on the entire organization.
Anthony also touches on the challenges individuals face, such as feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome. He stresses that having diverse role models who have successfully overcome such challenges is crucial for inspiring future leaders. As he aptly states, "If I've seen you do it, then I know it can be done." Recognizing and celebrating leaders from various backgrounds and experiences can help individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups, believe in their own potential.
Throughout the conversation, the impact of fear in leadership is discussed, especially in the context of recent global challenges. Anthony highlights how fear has been prevalent in these times, affecting decision-making and actions. However, he counters this by underlining the significance of cultivating courageous leadership. He suggests that by promoting and celebrating courageous leaders who are willing to take risks, organizations can foster a culture where fear takes a backseat to courage and resilience.
Watch and enjoy learning how courageous leadership is not a solitary endeavor but rather a quality that can spread within your nonprofit, ultimately helping it navigate challenges and inspire positive change.
In this Power Week conversation with Rita L. Soronen, CEO and President of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, she shares her insights into nonprofit leadership, board engagement, and the foundation's impactful work in the field of adoption. As the foundation celebrates its 25th year, it continues to make strides in its mission to find permanent homes for children in foster care.
Rita begins with discussing her 22-year tenure with the foundation and how it allows her to elevate her passion for child welfare and advocacy. She also highlights the importance of board recruitment, emphasizing the need for board members who are not only professionally skilled but also personally passionate about the organization's mission. She offers, "We want to make sure on our board that we have folks who have either adopted, were adopted, have fostered, have some connection, if not directly to themselves, through extended family."
Continuing, and discussing board engagement, Rita details how the foundation has managed to engage more than 80% of its board members actively, attributing this success to a focus on committee work and regular check-ins. She also shares strategies for promoting self-care among staff, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. She says, "We try and encourage that as much as possible...cancel whatever's on your calendar and make sure that we're flexible enough to acknowledge that weeks are tough."
When asked about the foundation's impact on adoption, Soronen mentions the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, which is embedded in 17 states and aims to be present in all 50 states by 2028. She acknowledges the progress made in improving adoption rates but also highlights the need to address myths and misperceptions surrounding vulnerable children and families. She states, "We've been able to do that now in 17 states with the goal of 28 states by the end of...all 50 states by the end of 2028."
Rita adds to the discussion, mentioning the challenges and opportunities presented by remote work, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of connection and collaboration among team members. She suggests that while technology has enabled remote work, face-to-face interaction remains valuable, particularly in a mission-driven organization like hers. She mentions, "Learning and sharing from each other face to face is critical."
The inspiring episode concludes with a discussion of the foundation's upcoming event, "Home for the Holidays," celebrating its 25th anniversary. Soronen highlights the show's purpose of raising awareness about foster care adoption and bringing families together during the holiday season. She encourages people to tune in for the event, which features a variety of musical talent.
In this special Nonprofit Power Week episode, Rita Soronen, the President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, shared insights into the organization's origin story, founder syndrome, and the vital work they do in the field of adoption.
Rita begins by emphasizing the significance of National Adoption Awareness Month and highlights the importance of focusing on foster care adoption, understanding its complexities, and encouraging communities to support children and families involved in the foster care system.
One of the key takeaways from Rita's insights is the deep connection between the foundation's namesake, Dave Thomas, and the cause of adoption. Dave Thomas, known for founding Wendy's, was himself adopted as an infant and experienced the challenges of growing up without a stable family environment. His commitment to giving back to the community and his personal connection to adoption led to the creation of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
In Rita's words, "Dave Thomas . . . . it's our namesake Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, but underneath that is the legacy of this incredible person who started the incredible Wendy's brand."
Rita also discusses the evolution of the foundation's mission and its shift from raising awareness to implementing evidence-based programs. She highlights the ongoing complexities in the field of child welfare, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies and continuous growth.
Rita continues, touching upon the topic of succession planning, stressing the importance of preparing for leadership transitions both internally and externally. She describes how the foundation is actively developing its leadership team to ensure a seamless transition when the time comes.
In Rita's words, "It is my job to assure sustainability of the organization because typically all of us are working in causes that aren't going to be solved in our lifetimes."
Rita Soronen's thoughtful insights and dedication to the cause of adoption, foster care and child welfare are inspiring and provide valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by nonprofits in these fields.
Our co-hosts welcome Christal Cherry, the President of TheBoardPro.com, and explore strategies for motivating nonprofit board members. Christal highlights practical strategies for energizing nonprofit boards, fostering a positive board culture, and improving board engagement in fundraising efforts.
Christol starts by explaining her motivation for founding TheBoardPro.com, emphasizing her desire to help nonprofit boards thrive. She stresses the importance of recruiting the right board members by conducting a thorough vetting process, like a job search, to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities and align with the organization's mission.
The conversation then jumps into building a positive board culture, as Christol advocates for creating an environment of open communication, respect, and camaraderie among board members. She recommends setting a clear culture statement that outlines the expected behaviors and values.
The lively chat also touches on the topic of staff members attending board meetings. Christol emphasizes that traditional hierarchies are being questioned, and some organizations are now open to staff participation in board meetings, especially when staff members have valuable insights or achievements to share.
Regarding fundraising, Christol shares her approach, emphasizing that board members should make a personal donation to demonstrate commitment and then providing them with a toolkit to equip them for fundraising efforts. She encourages board members to tell compelling stories about the organization rather than feeling like they are begging for money.
Lastly, Christol discusses the importance of recognizing board members who bring in funds or donations through their efforts, even if they don't make a personal financial contribution.
Learn more at TheBoardPro.com
The Director of New Client Experience and Technical Services at Chazin and Company, Michelle Philo, leads a discussion on board orientation and leadership in the nonprofit sector. The conversation digs into the importance of effectively onboarding new board members and ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities.
Michelle emphasizes that the onboarding process should be a two-way dialogue, allowing new board members to not only learn about the organization but also to voice their ideas and concerns. She stresses the significance of board members understanding the organization's financials, strategic plans, and budgeting, as these are key components of their fiduciary responsibilities.
This fast-paced learning session also touches upon the need for board members to familiarize themselves with policies, risk assessments, and conflict of interest guidelines. Additionally, the discussion highlights the importance of using digital tools, like shared drives and dashboards, to facilitate access to critical documents and data for board members.
Throughout the conversation, the hosts, Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick, engage Michelle in a thoughtful exploration of how board orientation can enhance the effectiveness of nonprofit boards and ultimately contribute to achieving an organization's mission and vision.
For more in-depth insights and discussions on nonprofit finance and board leadership, explore the "Counting on Chazin" series on the Chazin and Company website.
Host Julia Patrick welcomes Muhi Khwaja, one of the trainers at the Fundraising Academy at National University and Co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), and he provides insights on board treasurer selection, post-event practices, board onboarding, and board recruitment.
They begin by discussing the importance of finding the right treasurer for a nonprofit board. Muhi emphasizes the need to look for candidates with experience in nonprofit finance, compliance, and audit procedures. He suggests checking if potential treasurers have filed Form 990s, worked with nonprofits before, and have a CPA background.
Next, they address best practices for post-event activities, particularly after a gala. Muhi highlights the significance of stewardship in the donor cycle. He recommends sending personalized thank-you notes or emails to event attendees and donors, conducting surveys to gather feedback, and promptly following up with attendees and potential donors to build meaningful relationships.
Muhi also shares insights into onboarding new board members. He emphasizes the importance of a structured orientation process and discusses AMCF's practice of having annual meetings and strategic planning sessions to reinforce board members' roles and responsibilities.
Julia and Muhi then explore a unique question about whether the CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit should have a vote on the board, agreeing that it's generally not advisable for the CEO to have voting power on the board to maintain a clear separation of powers and avoid potential conflicts of interest.
The conversation shifts to AMCF's current board recruitment efforts. Muhi explains that they are actively seeking board members with specific skill sets, such as marketing, philanthropy, and web development, to contribute to the organization's growth. They also use a mentor-mentee approach to help new board members adapt to their roles.
Lastly, Muhi discusses AMCF's upcoming event, the Muslim Philanthropy Awards and Annual Symposium. Scheduled for November 18th, 2023, the event celebrates Muslim-led organizations and explores the topic of endowments in philanthropy.
Co-host Julia Patrick and Guest Host Muhi Khwaja, a trainer from the Fundraising Academy at National University, cover topics of anonymous resumes, candidate tenure, board giving policies, and employee fundraising campaigns. Muhi provides valuable insights and advice on these issues, emphasizing the importance of fairness, inclusivity, and effective communication in nonprofit practices.
Anonymized Resumes: The hosts discuss a situation where a job candidate submitted a resume without their last name to reduce potential bias. Muhi suggests that this practice reflects current political and social climates, then recommends focusing on a blind screening process based on skills, expertise, and experience, leaving personal details for later stages.
Candidate Tenure: The hosts address how many years a candidate should serve in their previous position before joining a nonprofit development team. Muhi emphasizes that while tenure is a factor, it's not the only indicator of success. Metrics like fundraising achievements, engagement, and retention matter more than just years served.
Board Give or Get Policy: The hosts discuss the implementation of a board give or get policy. They suggest that it should be a standard practice, encouraging board members to make meaningful gifts based on their capacity. The importance of personal and corporate contributions is highlighted, and the role of development leads and board committees in administrating this policy is discussed.
Employee Fundraising Campaigns: The hosts address concerns about implementing an employee fundraising campaign in a nonprofit with hourly employees. They discuss the potential for pay equity issues and suggest that the campaign's focus should be on 100% participation rather than specific amounts, which could make it more meaningful for everyone.
In this interview, our co-hosts welcome Lotus Kaplan, the Chief Development Officer of FamilyPromiseAZ.org, to discuss the concept of community-based program models in the context of addressing homelessness. Family Promise is a national organization with a mission to help families without shelter find sustainable housing and end the cycle of generational homelessness. Lotus shares her experience and insights about the community-based model, emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and flexibility. She explains that community-based programs involve active engagement and ownership from various partners, including organizations, volunteers, and churches. The model aims to create a sense of belonging and hope for families in need, focusing on finding intersections between different organizations' missions to work together towards a common goal. Lotus also discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adapt and modify the model to better suit changing circumstances. The interview underscores the value of collaboration, the significance of celebrating both successes and failures, and the power of partnerships in addressing the complex issue of homelessness on a national scale. For more insights, visit the Family Promise website at familypromiseaz.org.
Show host Julia Patrick welcomes Jane Wales, Vice President of the Aspen Institute, and Co-chair of the GenerosityCommission.org, to discuss their Insight Report on changing giving trends. The report explores the decline in everyday giving and volunteering over the years and its potential impact on society. Jane describes the Commission's purpose as “A group of 17 leaders from across the social sector, ranging from private sector perspectives to nonprofit leaders. Our goal is to understand the declining trends in giving and volunteering, and how it affects our society and democracy”.
The report emphasizes the importance of understanding generosity in a broader context, beyond just giving to nonprofits, as there is an increase in direct, unmediated giving and volunteering through digital platforms and mutual aid networks. Jane also highlights how social connectedness through giving and volunteering can lead to greater societal resilience and emphasized the need to redefine what an everyday giver and volunteer means, going beyond financial wealth and focusing on community engagement. Amplifying on their findings of a connection between prosocial behavior and civic engagement Jane explains “Our research found that people who engage in prosocial behavior, such as volunteering or serving on a jury, are more likely to register to vote for the first time. This suggests that one act of social connectedness leads to others, and it is essential to encourage civic engagement."
The Commission aims to stimulate an ongoing national conversation on this topic and encourages people to visit their website for more information and future updates on their research.
Elizabeth Woolfe, the principal of Intuition Consulting, discusses the challenges faced by smaller nonprofits, emphasizing the importance of assessing their current state and setting realistic goals for the future, the significance of self-awareness, strategic planning, and building strong partnerships to thrive. She introduces the concept of "growth" and how it's not always about becoming bigger but rather about building strength and sustainability with the need to stay focused on the organization's purpose, mission, and impact.
The episode highlights the unique challenges leaders face, including loneliness and a lack of support, the narrow leadership pipeline and the high turnover rates in the nonprofit sector, stressing the importance of board members supporting and appreciating their nonprofit leaders to boost morale.
The high energy discussion touches on the significance of strategic thinking and capacity building for smaller nonprofits. Elizabeth encourages organizations to understand their ecosystem, collaborate with other nonprofits, and prioritize effective partnering. She discusses using tools like the "SOAR" (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Recommendations) rubric for assessments and strategic planning.
Strategic advisor and leadership consultant, Jarrod Williams, sheds light on the crucial intersection between the arts and social justice. Williams, also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Director of Leadership Giving at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, brings his passion and expertise to the conversation, addressing the challenges and opportunities in connecting the arts to diverse communities.
Williams, alongside the show's hosts, Jarrett Ransom and Julia Patrick, delved into the deep-rooted issues faced by performing arts organizations in promoting diversity and inclusion. He emphasizes that the performing arts have long grappled with the struggle between producing risk-taking artistic works and those that merely sell tickets. Performances that are considered "risky" or showcase diversity, often centered around African American or marginalized experiences, face significant barriers in the performing arts community.
This interview reveals how social justice is inextricably linked to the arts, providing a powerful platform for human expression, offering everyone the opportunity to convey emotions and stories that build empathy and create meaningful connections. Consequently, the arts play a crucial role in addressing social issues like systematic racism, voter suppression, and inequity.
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted by Williams was the lack of representation in both the audience and on the stage. For the performing arts to thrive and adapt to the post-COVID world, it is essential to nurture the next generation of artists and audiences by ensuring diversity and inclusion. Williams stressed that seeing role models and representations of oneself on stage fosters inspiration and encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the arts.
Addressing the root of the problem, Williams called for a transformative shift in the arts sector, where boards and leadership are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He emphasizes the need for boards to move beyond mere rhetoric and actively promote diversity at all levels of their organizations, including programming and donor engagement.
Williams shares successful initiatives from Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, such as their $5 ticket program, which eliminates financial barriers to attendance. Additionally, the organization engages communities through workshops, dialogues, and educational sessions, fostering a deeper understanding of the performances and building a sense of belonging.
The co-hosts engage in a conversation with Hathaway Maranda, a strategic advisor and national leadership consultant to nonprofits, exploring the importance of philanthropy in all types of nonprofits, how to lead the way to a more philanthropic culture, and its impact on fundraising efforts.
Hathaway defines a culture of philanthropy as a community of people committed to supporting relevant stories to enhance each other's well-being. The discussion identifies the misconceptions surrounding fundraising, with people often assuming it is solely the responsibility of the development department. Hathaway stressed the significance of every staff member's involvement in creating a culture of philanthropy, suggesting incorporating development goals in individual performance reviews and including it in the employee handbook to reinforce the culture.
The fast-paced episode also touched upon the potential benefits of cross-departmental experiences, where staff members could volunteer at other organizations to gain a deeper understanding of philanthropy beyond their immediate roles. The hosts and Hathaway end by describing how a successful culture of philanthropy should lead to measurable growth in fundraising efforts, but acknowledging that sustaining this culture requires ongoing effort, including refreshing strategies and ensuring alignment with the organization's mission.
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