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Nonprofit Matters |
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2/4/2010 12:00:00 AM |
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February 2010
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Nonprofit Matters
February 2010
downlaod a PDF here
Emerging Forces:
What the nonprofit world will face in the new year
Though the economy may be stabilizing, the nonprofit sector will continue to feel the impact for years to come. Giving was off by an estimated 9% in 2009, all while demands for services continue to increase nationwide. In its December 9, 2009 issue, the Chronicle of Philanthropy examined trends that will shape how organizations will fare in 2010.
Consider the following:
Renewed Focus on Volunteerism. Though many nonprofits reported a drop in monetary gifts – watch for 2010 to show an increase in people giving of their time. Rethink what volunteerism and new work models can do to enrich your organization’s work. Opportunities such as our February 4 Re-engage for Good training to inspire boomer involvement can help begin this process.
Governments are in crisis. County and city budget crunches continue. Expect continued and ongoing cuts as government entities struggle with declining revenues.
Full-Court Press for Modest Gifts is on. With giving not expected to rebound to prerecession levels until at least 2012, many nonprofits will focus on small and medium-sized donations.
Watch for a Sharpened Eye on Pay Levels. Lawmakers are putting pressure on nonprofits over perceived excessive pay. The IRS has already begun to examine if federal rules that govern establishment of compensation levels are adequate.
CEO Corner
Entering the Fundamental State of Leadership
When we do our best work as leaders, we don’t imitate others. Rather, we draw on our own values and capabilities. Robert Quinn, professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business shares that the fundamental state of leadership is one we enter when an external force calls upon us to rise to the occasion - and with proper nurturing can be sustained.
In his article, Moments of Greatness: Entering the Fundamental State of Leadership, Quinn shares that we can make the shift at any time by asking ourselves- and honestly answering - four transformative questions:
1. Am I results centered?
(Am I willing to leave my comfort zone to make things happen?)
2. Am I internally directed?
(Am I behaving according to my values rather than bending to
social or political pressures?)
3. Am I other focused?
(Am I putting the collective good above my own needs?)
4. Am I externally open?
(Am I receptive to outside stimuli that may signal the need for change?)
When we can answer these questions in the affirmative, we’re prepared to lead. We boost the performance of the people around us and rise above the daily pressures. With a continued focus on these strategic questions, we create a sustainable high-performance culture.
Why Advocacy
Lobbying by nonprofits is a powerful strategy for making people’s lives better and for building stronger communities.
Common myths such as “it’s illegal for nonprofits to do” or “it is for organizations that have lots of money,” often
inhibits nonprofits from taking the plunge into this important work.
Lobbying on legislation and engaging in public policy advocacy can be great for your organization. You can:
- Raise awareness of your mission
- Mobilize members, volunteers, donors and board
- Attract media attention
- Establish and expand government investment in important social programs
- Reform laws and regulations that govern the operation and evaluation of your programs
- Confer benefits far beyond that of any one direct service programs
You should understand that the act of lobbying and other forms of advocacy is about positive change to laws that affect us and the causes we serve. Join us for our two-part Advocacy Series and learn how your can use this powerful tool for community change.
Boards in Action - The Next Level
A new programs designed exclusively for graduates of the Boards in Action Leadership Academy. Your board faces increasingly critical challenges in an unprecedented economy. There is no going back to business as usual. To move forward requires you to envision a different future for the organization.
Turn national best practices into visionary results for the organization you serve through the Community Foundation of Broward’s new Boards in Action - The Next Level program.
The Next Level features a new TEAM Meeting Series: Transform and Energize to Achieve your Mission.
This advanced program gives your board invaluable time together to engage in:
- thoughtful analysis of challenges and opportunities.
- frank conversation of issues and new directions for the future.
- facilitated discussions with national BoardSource experts.
You will leave each Next Level session with a fresh perspective and return ready to take your organization to - the Next Level.
Board Corner
What Boards In Action Means to Us
by: Clinton Perkins
Board Performance Development Specialist Broward Health
Chair, Broward Meals on Wheels
In 2008, our board chose to participate in the Boards in Action Leadership Academy. A year and a half later, that investment of time continues to reap dividends for both individual board members and our organization.
What made the difference? A renewed sense of ownership.
Board roles, especially in strong established programs like Broward Meals on Wheels, run the risk of devolving into a once-a-month transaction rather than a committed relationship. As board chair, I have seen Boards in Action foster a renewed sense of ownership that encourages us to include our commitment to the organization in our everyday lives.
This commitment will help us meet future challenges, too. Boards in Action continues to provide the roadmap and compass to maneuver potential landmines along that journey. This is the value-added dimension to the Boards in Action program that endures long after the training is completed.
Having seen future possibilities, our board is motivated to continue developing our capacity. We recently held a board/staff retreat that included volunteer and client perspectives, and I am confident the Boards in Action framework will translate these efforts into improved results for our mission and programs.
We own our destiny at Broward Meals on Wheels, and the Community Foundation of Broward has set us on the right path to continue our commitment to serve. I am excited about the Boards in Action The Next Level program and hope to see you take advantage of these programs with me.
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