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Volume
8, Issue 4 - July 2006 |
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"I
love your newsletter! It's refreshing, fun
and filled with helpful hints"
Toni Paglia,
Director of Development, The ARC
Syracuse, New York |
|
At a recent conference where I was speaking, I met a couple of bright
young consultants who bring real “street smarts” to their consulting. I was
impressed, so I asked them to write the cover article for this newsletter.
To learn more about Christa Thomas and Jennifer Yarbrough and JC Partners &
Associates, see below.
Best Laid Plans Begin with A Strategy.
While the non-profit industry is one of the fastest growing sectors today,
it is not surprising that in a recent survey of non-profit executives in the
U.S., 60 percent of respondents said they were in their executive position
for the first time. Being a new leader comes with many different challenges
and if you’re not accustomed to the culture of non-profits, the task of
moving the organization’s mission forward can seem daunting. But the
encouraging news is that it can be done - and it usually begins with having
a solid strategy.
Got plans?
Ask yourself the follow questions:
- What's your fundraising direction?
- Do you have a strategic communications plan or are you struggling to get
the word out about your organization?
- How is the organization collectively moving your fund development plan
forward?
- Are your key staff and board members trained on their roles in raising
money?
If you’re less than satisfied with your answers, not to worry. Just by
asking these questions you are already on the path to thinking
strategically. Given that 65 percent of non-profit executives surveyed said
they are likely to go through an executive transition within five years –
you may want to ask yourself could this be me? If so, a strategic approach
is going to be critical for a successful outcome.
Anatomy of a strategy
When people are being strategic, it means they are doing a few
things:
- Taking a long-term, broad approach to problem solving;
- Asking “what if” and why questions;
- Sharpening their observation skills;
- Being empowered to think beyond the day-to-day.
Another major benefit to being strategic is that it allows organizations to
fully assess options and implications around their programs. A great
strategic plan or approach must include three elements: objectives,
strategies, and tactics (OST).
Objectives. Your objective
answers the question, what is to be accomplished? It’s a clear explanation
in one sentence what the ultimate goal is. For example, if you are working
on an anti-tobacco campaign for young people, your objective may be to:
increase awareness about the health effects of tobacco use among local teens
ages 13 to 17.
Strategies. Now that you’re clear
about what you want to do - your objective - you now need to figure out how
you will accomplish it. That said, your strategies will answer the “how”
behind your objective (i.e. how will you increase awareness among teens?).
While you are developing your strategies you may discover that you need more
resources; that’s ok. As you’re brainstorming all the “how” possibilities,
be aware that your strategy will be the foundational framework for your
program.
Tactics. The last piece to the
puzzle is your tactic, or action. The dictionary’s definition of tactic is
“method or maneuver to achieve a goal.” This means your tactic should be a
specific action that directly supports your strategy and works to achieve
your ultimate goal.
For example, if your strategy around increasing awareness
about the harmful effects of tobacco use is to build alliances and
partnerships with schools and youth groups, then a tactic might be to
create a peer-to-peer program that teens can promote in their health
education classes. This tactic feeds right back into the objective
of increasing awareness. When all three dots connect, that’s when you know
your strategic compass is pointing you in the right direction.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Unfortunately, perhaps the majority of non-profits do not
prioritize long-term planning and infrastructure building. This can leave
today’s leaders unequipped to efficiently and effectively take their
organization to the next level. It’s important to take a step back and ask
important questions which will allow you to begin creating a strategic road
map or revisiting the one you already have. Either way, you don’t have to do
it alone. Learn from a variety of highly experienced, affordable resources
available to you.
Contributed by Christa Thomas, JC Partners & Associates.
JC Partners & Associates (www.jcpartners.net)
specializes in working with small to mid-sized nonprofits and healthcare
organizations. JC Partners brings over 23 years of combined experience in
the areas of fund development and public relations to every client they
serve.
Mark your calendar for the JC Partners Executive
Leadership Retreat: Taking Leadership to the Next Level being
held on October 18 - 20, 2006. Packed with powerful workshops, this 3-day
event will enhance your leadership skills while inspiring and
re-invigorating your mind by providing the perfect atmosphere where you can
speak openly to your peers.
Workshops range from developing human resource policies to techniques on
getting the best out of your board. The event will take place at the
beautiful Carefree Resort & Spa located in Carefree, Arizona (www.carefree-resort.com).
To learn more about the retreat or to register early and save, visit
www.jcpartners.net or email us at
.
To learn more about incorporating new and strategic ways of thinking into
your organization, JC Partners recommends reading The Tipping Point by
Malcom Gladwell.
Back to Table of
Contents
Here
is your summer reading assignment: Good to Great
by Jim Collins. While this book is written about for profit businesses, the
premises can, and should, be translated to your nonprofit organization.
The book is stimulating reading and you should easily be able to
translate his theories and studies about what makes a
Great for profit business to your nonprofit business.
Collins recently developed a companion monograph,
Good to Great and the Social Sectors,
which I ordered from Amazon and read immediately. At only 35 pages, there is no
excuse not to get the monograph, read it and share it with Board and staff.
In his book, Collins tells us that the truly great company
leaders understand the critical need to “...get the right people on the bus in
the right seats.” The same is true for your nonprofit, he says (and I agree.)
He says, “...the number one resource for a great social
sector organization is having enough of the right people willing to commit
themselves to mission. The right people often attract money, but money by
itself can never attract the right people.”
And here is my most favorite quote - on page 9:
“No matter how much you have
achieved, you will always be merely good relative to what you can become.
Greatness is an inherently dynamic process, not an end point. The moment you
think of yourself as great, your slide toward mediocrity will have already
begun.”
Back to Table of
Contents
The
Society for Nonprofit Organizations publishes an exceptionally good magazine
called Fundraising Success. I have cut and saved articles and ideas from
every issue!
They are practical and well-written. Membership is extremely inexpensive,
especially based on the value received. Check out the web site for other
resources, www.snpo.org.
There is also more to see at
www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com with lots of special features.
Need some good ideas about working successfully with volunteers? Check out the
Best Practice Toolbox at the UPS Foundation web site at
www.ups.com/community/philanthropy/toolbox.html.
And the Verizon Foundation web site at
foundation.verizon.com/resourcecenter offers online tools for
nonprofit managers.
Please let me know if you find good nonprofit Internet resources so I can share
them with other readers...there are now more than 3,700 people who receive this
newsletter!
Back to Table of
Contents
Now you can add two great books to your agency library.
The ABCs of Building Better Boards is just what you need to
improve your Board’s potential. It includes ideas for recruitment, retention and
recognition and has some great forms for you to copy and use.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals says of this book:
“Here is a book that every senior fundraiser
responsible for board recruitment and development should read once and then
review annually...takes up where books full of theory fall short...give it a
chance and you will discover a gem to be treasured.”
Learn how to deal with unproductive Board members and how to better define the
roles of staff and Board. There is a chapter on financial and fiduciary facts,
one on simple parliamentary procedure and much much more.
Discover how Board Job Descriptions and annual Commitment Letters will
dramatically improve your Board’s effectiveness. See how a truly effective
Nominating Committee will lead to a better Board.
Get good ideas for more efficient Board management and administration, including
how to set up and manage effective committees.
It’s only $24.95 plus shipping and handling. Take advantage of a volume
discount of up to 20% and give this book to all new Board members as part of
their orientation.
The 3rd Edition of
Fast Fundraising Facts for Fame & Fortune
is full of ideas to improve your fundraising, including how to ask effectively,
special events essentials and new ideas for fundraising.
Help volunteers get over the fear of asking for money and in-kind resources for
your organization. Learn how marketing principles will make fundraising easier.
Learn about Jean’s Ten Rules for Fundraising Success
and apply them to your organization immediately. This book puts the
FUN into
FUNDraising and gives good examples and ideas that really work, rather than
using hard to follow formulas and theories.
It’s only $24.95 plus shipping and handling. Take advantage of a volume
discount of up to 20% and give this book to all new Board members as part of
their orientation...
Or buy both books for only $45.00 plus shipping and handling. Order
your copies today!
Order Now So You Don't Forget
Go to the Order Form to order your copies of
The ABCs of Building Better Boards
and
Fast Fundraising Facts For Fame & Fortune ©
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Back to Table of
Contents
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
TAKE THIS QUICKIE QUIZ
|
Please give me a call if you want to turn any NO into a YES. I can help
with:
- turning your Board into a dynamic group of volunteers,
- facilitating a strategic planning session,
- analyzing your current fundraising and suggesting some new ideas, and
- training volunteers and staff in becoming more effective fundraisers.
Back to Table of
Contents
Here is what people have said about my training and facilitation:
“You certainly shifted my paradigm. After hearing you last
Friday, it is the first time in 11 years as an ED that I was excited abut
fund development. And you got my Board members to that point as well.
Kay
Hopper
RDC for Children, Richardson, TX
“Your seminar in Dallas was the best I ever attended. You
are wise and hilarious.”
Mary Jo Dorn
Catholic Charities of Dallas
"Jean conducted an extremely well
organized and productive [Board] retreat, one that I can
say with confidence that our members count as the finest
ever conducted for us. Jean's follow-up report was
in-depth and meaty, and both Board and staff have
referred to it time and again. The knowledge of
boardsmanship the members took with them has made a
remarkable difference in their levels of commitment and
support."
Eileen Cook, Executive Directorr
Casa Esperanzaa
“Your training was invaluable to me. I dreaded doing this
because I couldn’t even sell someone a candy bar in the past but I was
inspired by your advice to try. I raised about $377,000!"
Joan Shepack
Keystone Botanical Garden, El Paso,
TXX
"I attended the Corporate Sponsorship Workshop - WOW! You
were amazing! What an OPPORTUNITY for me!!
Your presentation style was EXCELLENT. By far the best
workshop I've been to in a long time (content and style both!)."
Vicki
Kopplin
Epilepsy
Foundation of Minnesota
"As a senior-level development officer, I have a hard time
finding useful workshops. Jean's programs should be required for even us old
CFREs."
Trisha Dunbar
Visiting Nurse Association,
Dallas, TX
Jean Block
Consulting, Inc.
7915 Cliff Road NW
Albuquerque NM 87120
(505) 899-1520
Fax (505) 890-5285
Email:
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"I
love your newsletter! It's refreshing, fun
and filled with helpful hints"
Toni Paglia,
Director of Development, The ARCRC
Syracuse, New Yorkk |
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