The best relationships - of any kind - often take the form of partnerships;  during which the parties involved work together to create a particular outcome or reach some type of mutually beneficial goal. The same can be said for the nature of board/staff relationships at nonprofit organizations - the most effective and mutually satisfying arrangements happen between people who take a collaborative approach to their service/work. Contrary to the hierarchical structures found in most organizations...

Welcome to September. I don’t know about you, but this month always seems to take me by surprise. And this year is certainly no exception. 

I’ve come to realize that, as we grow older, it’s typical to think more and more about the passage of time. The idea that life seems to speed up each year is one that causes me - and nearly everyone my age or older - to lament in disbelief. We are mystified by the acceleration. Baffled, even. 

And, whether we understand it or not, it’s happening. 

 ...

This week I stumbled upon a 2019 research report that said only about half of nonprofit organizations send a confirmation or follow-up message when someone makes a donation or subscribes to the organization’s mailing list. HALF.

We all know how critical the first 30 to 90 days are to the lifecycle and “lifetime value” of a new member or donor. It’s been consistently shown that donors are more likely to give again within the first few months than at any other time. So why, then, are so man...

Finding new members and donors for your nonprofit organization can sometimes be a challenge - especially if you have a small team or a packed programming agenda. Finding the time to seek out and engage people who might want to join your cause isn’t always feasible when there are events to plan, initiatives to develop, or reports to write. Wearing many hats adds to the excitement of running a nonprofit but it also means leaders are often stretched thin. 

When I was the executive director of a...

Last week, in a message to my subscribers, I talked about how I’m building my email list as a main strategy to develop my coaching and consulting business. And how the same activities and tools I’m using can and should also be used by nonprofits to expand their communities and attract more people to support their mission. 

There’s another aspect to list building that is just as important as attracting the right people and that is releasing the wrong people. Letting go of the wrong people is ...

Europe’s failing vaccine rollout was the topic of yesterday morning’s New York Times newsletter. Apparently, distribution is much slower in the EU than in many other places and, as a result, cases of COVID-19 are continuing to surge.

But, don’t worry, this post isn’t about the vaccine or Europe. (you can get that story here) It is about the three reasons that Times editor, David Leonhardt, gives for the vaccine mess: too much bureaucracy, being penny-wise and pound foolish, and (vaccine) skept...

Whether an organization's bylaws are a dusty relic, daily reference material, or somewhere in between, it’s important to understand the role they play in an executive director’s leadership development as well as their ability to get things done. 

Knowing the bylaws inside and out helps leaders anticipate conflict, correct or prevent undesirable conditions, and positions them as the authority in organizational knowledge.  

When should bylaws be reviewed?

While a regular read-through of t...

Chances are, on this 19th day of January in the year 2021, when readers see the word “clubhouse” they’ll have one or more of these four reactions:

1. I am obsessed with Clubhouse!
2. I can’t WAIT to get invited to Clubhouse!
3. I am so sick of hearing about Clubhouse! 
4. What is Clubhouse? 

So, to help bring the 4's up to speed and to prevent some 3's from potentially catastrophic eye-rolling injuries, I offer the following quick and dirty overview after roughly three weeks on the site.

In cas...

A valid concern.

Associations and other nonprofits that do not provide direct support or essential services related to COVID, work-from-home, or the economic downturn might be feeling a tad vulnerable by now. Perhaps they fear that their members, when faced with tough choices and competing priorities, will let their memberships lapse or will cancel outright. 

The moment(s) of truth.

36% of membership organizations have “rolling memberships” in which members renew on their anniversary da...