At a recent planning retreat, the walls were covered with sticky notes. Live polling generated nearly 100 ideas. The energy in the room was incredible. Every idea was worthwhile. Every idea had a champion. But there was one problem.
With so many worthy ideas, no one could clearly identify what mattered most. So, I paused the conversation and asked a simple question: "If everything is a priority, what is actually your priority?"
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategy, Planning, strategic planning
As soon as I sat down at the table for the executive staff team meeting, I could tell there was tension in the air.
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Board Development, Fundraising, Big L Leaders, Culture, Volunteers, Inspiration, Board Leadership, Big L Leadership, Leadership Cabinet, Leadership Recruitment, Leadership & Boards
As the new year rolls in, many nonprofits are embarking on a brand-new budget, with clean slates, fresh aspirations, and strategies poised for success. You may also find your organization with a new class of volunteers on your board of directors, fresh faces on committees and perhaps even new staff members on your team.
Topics: Leadership, Volunteer, Volunteer Leadership, Board Development, Volunteer Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Board Management, Board Leadership, finance
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Topics: Leadership, Volunteer Leadership, Fundraising, Volunteer Management, Mentoring, Big L Leaders, Camp Fundraising, Storytelling, Nonprofit Leadership, Annual Fundraising, Fundraising Management, Leadership Transition, Church Fundraising, Fundraising Campaign, Communication, Capital Leadership
Topics: Leadership, Collaborations, Global Leadership Summit, Volunteer Leadership, Volunteer Management, Mentoring, Resolutions, Big L Leaders, Nonprofit Leadership, Leadership Transition, Communication, Capital Leadership, Church Leadership, Leadership Coaching, CEO Coaching
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Resolutions, Nonprofit Leadership, Volunteers, Communication, Donor, Support, strategic planning, board governance
By Jim Mellor and Brian Keel
The board of directors is an essential component of nonprofit leadership. We seek boards that are engaged, embrace their roles and responsibilities, are committed to transparency, and value both short- and long-term planning.
Rules vary from state to state, but every board has significant legal and ethical duties that it cannot delegate to others including legal, management, program, and financial oversight. Beyond the board there may be committees that further assist the organization. Committees have representation from the Board but are also an opportunity to engage other community volunteers to serve, especially if these members have subject matter expertise.
Topics: Volunteer Leadership, Volunteer Management, Volunteer Communication, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategy, Nonprofit Staff, community
On a call with a client last week, working together to identify values for tough times, a word popped up: equanimity. I couldn’t remember what it meant, but it sounded like a smooth, peaceful lake, hinting of equity and justice. So I said, “Not sure if this is relevant, but what about equanimity?” She responded, “Yes! That is a perfect word.”
Topics: Leadership, Volunteer Leadership, Church Leadership
As we continue to navigate this new reality, we are challenged to step up as leaders. Whether we’re leading a company, a nonprofit, a team or a family, people are looking to us to understand how to live, learn and work in very altered and difficult circumstances.
Topics: Leadership, Volunteer Leadership, Nonprofit Leadership
