Blog
Do You Have Unlimited Capacity?
Today I want to share some insights about a subject that’s been top of mind for me lately…. Capacity.
How Much Time Does It Take To Have An Effective Board?
I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Isn’t love great? Because it’s me I have to ask you: Do you love your board? When asked how much time she spent interacting with her board members (in any context – board or committee meetings, on the phone, etc.) the...
Resources Flowing to Your Nonprofit: Boards Can Help!
Isn’t the holiday season wonderful? People are so generous and thoughtful. In fact, the Network for Good Online Giving Study* found one third of all online giving happens in December. What surprised me, though, was that two thirds of the December online giving occurs December 30-31st!
But . . . what about the rest of the year?
3 Tips For Coping With Change for Nonprofit Executives and Leaders
As a nonprofit leader you are dealing with change all the time. Today I was listening to several executive directors share the impact on them personally of having to make changes related to budget realities as they start their new fiscal years. Considering their comments and my own experience, I have three tips for coping with change to share with you.
Nonprofit Executives, Board Members: Managing Change Part 2
Are we being chameleon-like as we adapt to our environment? edited from Malachy Kavanagh Our move is progressing. While the range of activities this involves is huge, the big one – moving out of our home and into the new one—happens this Saturday. I continue to...
Nonprofit executives and leaders: Managing Change
Time has gone by fast! I can’t believe it was two months ago that we decided to sell our home and move. As a result, I have been reflecting on change and how moving provides insights for how change happens for you as a nonprofit leader. The elements of change and process of managing it are common no matter what it’s about. Let’s start with the first four.
Nonprofit Executives and Board Members: Executive Session Guidelines
Behind closed doors? Last time we talked about how executive directors can feel shut out when their boards have executive sessions without them. I pointed out that there is not agreement about whether or not boards should have these sessions. When executive directors and their boards establish and follow a good process and clear guidelines trust is built and concerns are mitigated. Here are some things to consider when thinking about executive sessions.
Nonprofit Executives, Board Members: What About Executive Sessions?
The board-executive director relationship is a dance. The whole team is dancing together! One thing that can throw everyone off balance or mess up the cadence is how the board manages (or doesn’t) executive sessions. Most executive directors do not want their boards to meet without them on issues other than their performance or compensation. Other executives don’t seem to be bothered by it and some even encourage it. Not only is there disagreement about the practice, there is even disagreement about the definition!
Executive Directors and Board Chairs: How can you be “Better Together”?
A new executive director is struggling with a board chair who acts like, but doesn’t admit, that he wishes he was in her position. A board president is frustrated because the executive director is very defensive whenever feedback is given. A long-time executive director believes his board chair has no confidence in him because she keeps telling him what to do and how to do it. Everything suffers, or is at best mediocre, when this partnership is not optimal.
Effective Nonprofit Leaders Listen
This morning at the gym I listened. I closed my eyes and just listened. First, I became more aware of the voices. Some clear—I could understand the words—and some not—just recognizable as voices. Next, it was the music being piped throughout the gym above our heads. (Not too loud thank goodness.) Then, more startling sounds.
6 Steps You Must Know to Unleash the Potential of Your Nonprofit Board
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