Most nonprofits seek to recruit board members from the corporate world, especially tech, to turbocharge fundraising, energize strategy, and open new doors. But when these unicorns are recruited, clashes often ensue that frustrate, even bewilder, all parties. The frustrations I hear are: “Why does it take the Board sooooooo long to make decisions?” “Doesn’t she… Read more »
Category: Success
Fearless Facilitation for Board Leaders
This special evening session will focus on the complexity facing board chairs who are facilitating peers, often colleagues and friends, in board meetings. How do you handle delicate issues that trigger strong emotions and opinions? What do you do when a board meeting is hijacked by one or more members who are stuck in the… Read more »
Surf’s Up: Moving from the Board That You Have to the Board that You Need
The way a nonprofit and its board develops over time are often out of sync, causing disconnect and difficult dynamics. Has your beginning nonprofit grown into the middle stage, with your board remaining at the kitchen table level? Or has your boards development outpaced your nonprofits, causing expectations that lead to frustration for all parties?… Read more »
Fearless Facilitation for Board Chairs
This special evening session will focus on the complexity facing board chairs who are facilitating peers, often colleagues and friends, in board meetings. How do you handle delicate issues that trigger strong emotions and opinions? What do you do when a board meeting is hijacked by one or more members who are stuck in the… Read more »
Donor Acquisition beyond Direct Mail
Most nonprofits have noticed a steady decline in direct mail as a tool for acquiring new donors. This panel discussion will explore effective ways groups are acquiring new donors, using a variety of tools and techniques. Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, Board Leadership and Board Members especially encouraged to participate. Panel TBA. Free.
Who Wants to be Lead?
“You can’t lead people who don’t want to be lead,” was quoted about Chief Justice John Roberts on NPR. I was reminded of a young non-profit leader struggling with some of the staff he inherited from a predecessor who had a hands off style and tended to hire lone wolves. My young client is a… Read more »
Unleashing the Fundraising Power of Boards
Transform your board from resistant fundraisers into passionate ambassadors who share their commitment to inspire support for your nonprofit. Discover how to initiate dynamic discussion about about fundraising, beginning with recruitment and building to enthusiastic involvement. Takeaways will include practical and inspirational tools for motivation and support, finding your fundraising ambassadors, dos and don’ts for… Read more »
It’s Always About Leadership
This is a tale of two non-profit boards of directors. Members of both want to create a culture of commitment, accountability, and follow-through. One remains stuck, and the other is engaged in a creative and dynamic process of culture change. Can you guess the difference? Leadership. The second board is led by a chair who… Read more »
Five Board DevelopmentTo-Dos
What is key to developing your board’s effectiveness? Please take a look at this brief video about five factors that are essential, and that you can begin to put in place right now! This was an interview with the Foundation Center San Francisco: http://www.grantspace.org/Multimedia/Video/Lisa-Hoffman-on-Board-Development-2013-03-20
The Fundraising Power of Membership
Membership organizations are in a powerful fundraising position because there is a core of passionate and committed constituents. This panel discussion will explore how small, medium and large organizations effectively integrate membership and fund development to raise more money. Panelists are: Kellie Brownell, Donor Relations Coordinator, Electronic Frontier Foundation; Stacy Rackusin, Membership Manager, Asian Art… Read more »
