tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9995668861487240412024-03-08T16:07:08.363-06:00Nonprofit SOSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-72243351360517241692010-03-26T07:33:00.002-05:002010-03-26T07:38:11.129-05:00Reminder, blog has been moved!NonprofitSOS has been moved to www.nonprofitsos.com. For the next few weeks I will try to post links to my new posts on the new blog to help get everyone transitioned over.<br /><br />Posts from this week:<br /><br /><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/26/top-3-weekly-blog-posts-for-nonprofit-workers-27/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to Top 3 Weekly Blog Posts for Nonprofit Workers"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Top 3 Weekly Blog Posts for Nonprofit Workers</a><br /><br /><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/25/mesi-2010-should-foundations-be-putting-more-resources-into-policy-development/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to MESI 2010: Should foundations be putting more resources into policy development?"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>MESI 2010: Should foundations be putting more resources into policy development?</a><br /><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/24/mesi-2010-foundations-and-the-lack-of-a-clearly-defined-strategy/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>MESI 2010: Foundations and the lack of a clearly defined strategy</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/23/enough-cash-on-hand/">Does your organization have enough cash on hand? Less than 39% do.</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/23/mesi-2010-many-foundations-have-%E2%80%9Cwrong%E2%80%9D-mindset-about-evaluation/">MESI 2010: Many foundations have “wrong” mindset about evaluation</a><br /><br /><a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/2010/03/23/mesi-2010/">MESI 2010</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-67276078714860880322010-03-03T17:57:00.004-06:002010-03-11T23:47:49.297-06:00Blog has been transferredThis is it, I finally have made the big move over to wordpress. I transferred all of my old posts over to the new blog, and I won't be posting anymore on this blog. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.com/">Make sure to check out the new blog!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-5566370648598033812009-12-31T08:16:00.003-06:002009-12-31T08:23:25.206-06:00Reflection & top 4 posts from 20092009 has been a great year, having written 117 blog posts on a variety of topics. I know my resolution for 2010 will be to write more often and with better consistency! Here are the top 4 posts that were written in 2009 that have been the most popular.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/02/advertising-on-nonprofit-websites.html">Advertising on nonprofit websites?</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-cant-nonprofit-get-its-own-credit.html">Why can't a nonprofit get its own credit card?</a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/04/3-reasons-why-you-should-have-twenty.html">3 reasons why you should have a twenty something on your board</a><br /><br />4. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/03/want-to-know-how-your-nonprofit-is.html">Want to know how your nonprofit is doing financially?</a><br /><br />Interestingly, they are not the most popular overall. Three posts I wrote in 2008 were more popular this year, with the SWOT post getting more hits than all four of the above combined:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2008/10/using-swot-analysis-for-strategic.html">Using SWOT Analysis for Strategic Planning</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2008/08/in-kind-gifts-101-definition.html">In-Kind Gifts 101: Definition, Acknowledgement & the Law</a><br /><br />3.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2008/12/2-nonprofit-blogging-tips-from.html">Nonprofit Blogging Tips from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ProBlogger</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-90622771518576580332009-12-18T12:01:00.002-06:002009-12-18T12:36:41.999-06:00Top 3 Weekly Blog Posts for Nonprofit Workers1. <a href="http://nonprofitboardcrisis.typepad.com/mbblog/2009/12/nonprofit-fiscal-rules-for-the-new-normal.html">Nonprofit Fiscal Rules for the "New Normal"</a> by <a href="http://nonprofitboardcrisis.typepad.com/mbblog/">Nonprofit Board Crisis</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/blog/2009/12/16/hear-ye-hear-ye-overhead-is-over/" rel="bookmark">Hear Ye, Hear Ye - Overhead is Over</a> by <a href="http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/blog/">Balancing the Mission Checkbook</a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://mnaonline.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/generational-differences/" rel="bookmark" title="Generational Differences">Generational Differences</a> by <a href="http://mnaonline.wordpress.com/" title="Michigan Nonprofit Association Blog">Michigan Nonprofit Association Blog</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-57576866789248063552009-12-17T20:19:00.002-06:002009-12-17T20:31:31.650-06:00Reader Question: Starting a new program and convincing foundations to fund?I recently did a session on Programs: Developing, Managing, and Evaluating for the <a href="http://mncn.org/event_leadership.htm#elnmcn">Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Network</a> and I was asked a question by a participant about starting a new program. The participant was wondering <span style="font-style: italic;">how does convince a foundation to fund a new program when you have never done it before, and therefore don't have evaluations showing it was effective?</span><br /><br />This question surprised me because I thought most would know the answer, but I found that many at nonprofits were wondering this same thing. The answer is <span style="font-weight: bold;">research</span>. You should rarely, if ever, start a new program without research supporting your intervention. So, what if no one has ever done what you want to do - or someone has done it, but there isn't research supporting it yet? Well, then you find research supporting components of the program.<br /><br />I'll take an easy example, say you want to start a program where 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> graders become tutors and mentors for at-risk 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> graders to help them improve academic achievement. Sure, there might not be research on that specific program, but you should definitely be able to find research on whether mentoring is effective, at what ages mentoring has been effective, what research has found to be successful interventions for academic achievement, research on causes for low achievement for at-risk youth, etc. Using this research you should be able to build a case to support the program you want to do.<br /><br />So, what if you can't find research or research does not support what you want to do? If you can't find research to support any component of your program in any way, then it probably isn't the best choice. If you find research but it doesn't support your approach - then figure out why and think of ways you can address that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where do you find this research?</span> Online, articles, journals, etc. Personally, I use <a href="http://scholar.google.com/">Google Scholar</a> when searching for articles, but you can also use local libraries to access journals and books. Also keep in mind if you find a good article that fits what you are looking for, look at the citations and who the author cited. It is more likely than not you will find a bunch more support or useful information that will help build your case!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-28333390319082069432009-12-08T18:07:00.002-06:002009-12-08T18:27:57.731-06:00Wondering how big of a sample size you need?So, you have decided to do an evaluation - or are doing some preliminary research for a proposed program. You sit down and try to figure out the details, which includes how many people should you send your survey to? If you are just doing asking a bunch of people to participate in a survey asking about why they donate, or whether they enjoyed your program, then the sample size probably isn't as important. It is important is you want to be able to generalize your findings to the general population - or to the targeted population. So, how do you determine it? Well I could tell you the complex formula and math behind determining a sample size, but it is easier just to point you to a simple sample size calculator you can download. <a href="http://www.edmeasurement.net/5244/5244info.html">This link</a> will take you to a survey course website, on the bottom left of the page you will see "Sample Size Calculator" click it and download.<br /><br />Once it pops up, it might be a little confusing so here are a few tips to make it easier:<br /><ul><li>The first tab "Type of Analysis" you can usually leave the defaults - unless you are doing complex sampling - which you probably aren't.</li><li>The second tab "Values and Settings" is most important. Make sure to enter your population size, etc.<br /></li><li>The third tab "Corrections" is pretty much self-explanatory and you will probably not use it - but if you do it explains what each option means by the selection box.</li><li>Once you have entered everything in, then the box to the right should say a number - that is the number of people your sample should include.</li></ul>*When you download it, there is a "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quickhelp</span>" folder that explains what each box means if you are confused about what to put there. Good luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-42280078582397172682009-11-22T09:25:00.001-06:002009-11-22T09:27:06.121-06:00Honor for NonprofitSOS<a href="http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/nonprofit/5">This blog was selected by the Daily Reviewer as one of the top 100 nonprofit blogs!</a><br /><br /><a href="http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/nonprofit/5"><img src="http://thedailyreviewer.com/img/top100-125x125.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-13031814092335809682009-11-22T08:55:00.002-06:002009-11-22T09:24:13.337-06:00Top 3 Weekly Blog Posts for Nonprofit Workers1. "<a title="Permanent Link to Evaluating Online Donation Service Providers" href="http://stepbystepfundraising.com/evaluating-online-donation-service-providers/" rel="bookmark">Evaluating Online Donation Service Providers</a>" by <a href="http://stepbystepfundraising.com">Step by Step Fundraising</a><br /><br />2. "<a href="http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2009/11/13/fundraising-from-out-of-state-an-update-on-registration-issues/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Fundraising from Out-of-State? An Update on Registration Issues"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Fundraising from Out-of-State? An Update on Registration Issues</a>" by <a href="http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/">Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog</a><br /><br />3."<a href="http://www.nonprofitlawblog.com/home/2009/11/more-on-charity-boards-and-tough-times.html">More on Charity Boards and Tough Times</a>" by <a href="http://www.nonprofitlawblog.com/home/">Nonprofit Law Blog</a><br /><br />Bonus: "<a href="http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/30/the-shrinking-gap-between-nonprofit-and-for-profit/">We overestimate the gap between nonprofit and for-profit jobs</a>" by <a href="http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/">Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist</a> - This post is a bit older (10/30/09) but has some interesting thoughts on nonprofit vs for-profit jobsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-57136780393650981822009-11-21T17:16:00.002-06:002009-11-21T17:25:23.462-06:00Exploring Effective Strategies for Facilitating Evaluation Capacity BuildingThis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AEA</span> session was of particular interest to me. I would love to see more nonprofits investing in building their capacity with evaluation, and this session discussed ten strategies to do so:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coaching/Mentoring:</span> building a relationship with an evaluation expert who provides individualized technical and professional support<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technical Assistance:</span> receiving help from an internal or external evaluator<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technology:</span> using online resources such as websites and/or e-learning programs to learn from and about evaluation<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written Materials: </span>reading and using written documents about evaluation processes and findings<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Training:</span> attending courses, workshops, and seminars on evaluation<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Involvement in an Evaluation Process:</span> participating in the design and/or implementation of an evaluation<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Internship:</span> participating in a formal program that provides practical evaluation experience for novices<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meetings:</span> allocating time and space to discuss evaluation activities <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">specifically</span> for the purpose of learning from and about evaluation<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Appreciative Inquiry:</span> using an assets-based, collaborative, narrative approach to learning about evaluation that focuses on strengths within the organization<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Communities of Practice:</span> sharing evaluation experiences, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">practices</span>, information, and readings among members who have common interests and needs (sometimes called learning circles)<br /></li></ol>See posts about other sessions I attended at this year's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">AEA</span></span>: "<a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/american-evaluation-conference-summary.html">American Evaluation Conference Summary Post</a>"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-63948315645074118982009-11-18T11:44:00.002-06:002009-11-18T12:21:13.535-06:00Unique Methods in Advocacy EvaluationThis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AEA</span> session discussed common advocacy evaluation methods:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stakeholder surveys or interviews</span> - Print, telephone, or online questioning that gathers advocacy stakeholder perspectives or feedback.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Case studies</span> - Detailed descriptions and analyses (often qualitative) of individual advocacy strategies and results.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus groups</span> - Facilitated discussions with advocacy stakeholders (usually about 8-10 per group) to obtain their reactions, opinions, or ideas.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Media tracking</span> - Counts of an issue's coverage in the print, broadcast, or electronic media.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Media content or framing analysis</span> - Qualitative analysis of how the media write about and frame issues of interest.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Participant observation</span> - Evaluator participation in advocacy meeting or events to gain firsthand experience and data.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Policy tracking</span> - Monitoring of an issue or bill's progress in the policy processes.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Public polling</span> - Interviews (usually by telephone) with a random sample of advocacy stakeholders to gather data on their knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors.<br /></li></ul>And highlighted four new methods that have been developed specifically to address advocacy evaluation's unique challenges:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bellwether methodology</span> - Interviews conducted with "bellwethers" or influential people in public/private sectors whose positions require that they track a broad range of policy issues. Part of sample is not connected to issue of interest and sample does not have advance knowledge of interview topic. Used to assess political will as outcome, forecast likelihood of future policy proposals/changes, assess extent that advocacy messages have "broken through", and to gauge whether an issue is on federal/state/local policy agenda and how it is positioned.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Policymaker ratings</span> - Advocates (or other informed stakeholders) rate policymakers of interest on scales that assess policymakers' support for, and influence on, the issue. Used to assess extent to which a policymaker supports an issue and whether that support is changing over time.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intense period debriefs</span> - Advocates are engaged in evaluative inquiry shortly after a policy window or intense period of action occurs. Used when advocacy efforts are experiencing high intensity levels of activity and advocates have little time to pause for data collection.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">System mapping</span> - A system is visually mapped, identifying the parts and relationships in that system that are expected to change and how they will change, and then identifying ways of measuring or capturing whether those changes have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occurred</span>. Used to try to achieve systems change.<br /></li></ul><br />Please note that the above notes are credited to the "Unique Methods in Advocacy Evaluation" by Julia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Coffman</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ehren</span> Reed.<br /><br />See posts about other sessions I attended at this year's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">AEA</span>: "<a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/american-evaluation-conference-summary.html">American Evaluation Conference Summary Post</a>"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-5242611543614089222009-11-18T08:22:00.001-06:002009-11-18T08:27:31.177-06:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />Martin Wera – Nonprofit Services Manager, <a href="http://www.smartgivers.org/">Charities Review Council</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />Put my lunch in the fridge, check email, check my calendar, and check to see if any nonprofits have finished the Accountability Wizard (the online educational tool the Charities Review Council has for nonprofits). After that, it varies from day to day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />During baseball season – check the updates about the Twins. Usually though I check the MinnPost Daily Glean, Politico, and any other news updates. Often I’ll check some nonprofit blogs as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Which part of your work do you enjoy most?</span><br />One of the best things about my job is the opportunity to connect and work with a variety of nonprofits. Depending on which organizations are going through a review, every day is different. Not only is the organization different (e.g. size, issue area, etc.), but also questions that they have about the review and the Accountability Standards. I also enjoy the fact that I feel like in working with nonprofits meet our standards, I’m part of the process of helping them be more effective, healthy organizations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to…..</span><br />…be a nonprofit geek.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />This is trite, but true – do what gives you energy. Having worked at a variety of nonprofits, this has been the clearest lesson I’ve learned. From this point, everything else falls into place.<br /><br />I am looking for people to participate in this series, if you are interested, please email me - <strong><a href="mailto:kristen@advancementcompany.com"><strong>kristen@advancementcompany.com</strong></a></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-88897709444256817372009-11-17T08:53:00.002-06:002009-11-17T09:41:33.945-06:00How do we define and measure social impact?This month's <a href="http://nonprofitmillienalbloggers.wikispaces.com/">Nonprofit Millennial Blogging Alliance</a> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NMBA</span>) topic relates to social impact and how we define and measure it.<br /><br />So, what is social impact? Well, I did what anyone that has access to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">internet</span> would do, I googled it. It seems there isn't really a clear, precise definition for it. I couldn't even find a definition on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wikipedia</span> - the closest I got was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_impact_assessment">Social Impact Assessment</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_impact_theory">Social Impact Theory</a>. So, I am going to go with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mish</span>-mash of definitions and partial definitions I found:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Social impact = the influences or affects an organization or group can have to impact people's lives. This <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">influence</span> or affect increases with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">immediacy</span> and strength, and can have both positive and negative social consequences.</span><br /><br />So, to use an easy example: More and more people continue to join Twitter because they know more people who are on Twitter, their close friends are now on Twitter, and everyone seems to be joining Twitter. Hence, one would say the social impact of Twitter is quite large and continues to grow as its strength and immediacy grows.<br /><br />For nonprofits, this would be used more in the sense of how a nonprofit taking advantage of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_change">social change</a> to make a difference in people's lives.<br /><br />So, how would one measure social impact?<br /><br />Well, since social impact is more that just evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention it would make sense that a simple evaluation wouldn't be enough.<br /><br />An interesting concept I came across was that one could put together an <a href="http://www.proveandimprove.org/new/getst/ImpactMap.php">impact map</a>, which will help organizations to clearly show relationships between inputs (resources) and outputs (activities, outcomes). Basically it helps an organization understand how they create change.<br /><br />The impact map could be combined with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_impact_assessment">social impact assessment</a>, which "includes the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions. Its primary purpose is to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment." This would allow a nonprofit to map the relationships and measure the change that resulted from those relationships.<br /><br />A more government-type perspective on social impact assessment can be found <a href="http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/tm/spo/spo16.pdf">here</a>. Some may also go as far as measuring the financial return on a social impact using a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Return_on_Investment">social return on investment</a>.<br /><br />Check out some other perspectives on social impact and how to measure it from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">NMBA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bloggers</span>:<br /><br /><a href="http://nonprofitperiscope.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/what-is-social-impact/">What is Social Impact?</a> by <a href="http://nonprofitperiscope.wordpress.com/">Nonprofit Periscope</a><br /><br /><a href="http://elisamortiz.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/measuring-social-impact-wait%e2%80%a6what-is-social-impact/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Measuring Social Impact (wait…what is social impact?)"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Measuring Social Impact (wait…what is social impact?)</a> by <a href="http://elisamortiz.wordpress.com">Onward and Upward</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-26648066993704526302009-11-12T20:33:00.004-06:002009-11-18T11:46:05.801-06:00Interactive Techniques to Facilitate Evaluation LearningThis was an interesting session that I attended at the American Evaluation Association's Annual Conference. It had some great tidbits. Here are a few things I wanted to share from the session:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The presenter discussed what portion of things people learn, and how they learn them. This is what she shared:</span><br />- People remember... 10% of what they read (book, handout)<br />- 20% of what they hear (head a lecture, podcast)<br />- 30% of what they see (look at displays, diagrams, exhibits)<br />- 50% of what they head AND see (live demonstration, video, site visit)<br />- 70% of what they say OR write (worksheet, discussion)<br />- 90% of what they do (practice, teach)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manipulatives help learning!</span><br />- Manipulatives are objects that engage the learning in touching, feeling, and manipulation<br />- Stimulate brain either as part of the learning experience or provide opportunities for movement<br />- Examples: basket of strange feeling objects, pipe cleaners, clay, cards, paper table covers that people can doodle on<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current research establishes a link between movement and learning!</span><br />- Can use brain breaks, energizers to get people moving<br />- Example of energizer: when asking questions use movement "Raise your hand/clap if you use Twitter"<br /><br />See posts about other sessions I attended at this year's AEA: "<a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/american-evaluation-conference-summary.html">American Evaluation Conference Summary Post</a>"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-47919232581989555032009-11-12T20:25:00.006-06:002009-11-21T17:27:11.426-06:00American Evaluation Conference Summary PostI am currently in Florida attending the American Evaluation Association (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AEA</span>) conference. To follow conference related tweets, search <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23eval09">#<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eval</span>09</a> on twitter.<br /><br />The days are jam-packed with fantastic sessions and I likely won't get to post all of the interesting and useful tidbits until this weekend and early next week, but I am going to get them all up by the end of this week. This post will include links to all of the posts, as I post them:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/interactive-techniques-to-facilitate.html">Interactive Techniques to Facilitate Evaluation Learning</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/unique-methods-in-advocacy-evaluation.html">Unique Methods in Advocacy Evaluation</a><a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/exploring-effective-strategies-for.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a></li><li><a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/2009/11/exploring-effective-strategies-for.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Exploring Effective Strategies for Facilitating Evaluation Capacity Building</a></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-79884307650243728012009-11-08T08:39:00.002-06:002009-11-08T08:49:47.474-06:00Nonprofit Conference EtiquetteLast week I attended the <a href="http://www.transformingourwork.org/?utm_source=MCNweb&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=AC">Minnesota Council of Nonprofits joint annual conference with the Minnesota Council of Foundations</a> and had the opportunity to meet lots of new great nonprofit folk, in addition to presenting two sessions "<a href="http://www.theadvancementcompany.com/">Become Social Media Savvy</a>" and "<a href="http://www.theadvancementcompany.com/">Evaluation 101: Focus Groups and Surveys</a>".<br /><br />While at this conference a group of were hanging out chatting about donor meetings and who should be going (a whole other post), when a woman from nonprofit came up to us and started explaining what her nonprofit did. This was great because who doesn't love to hear about what all the amazing nonprofits in their community do? Once she was done explaining, she continued on to ask us to give. When we politely declined, she went on to a group sitting next to us, gave the same speech, and asked them to give. After they declined, she left the area and I can only assume went to solicit more gifts.<br /><br />Typically I never mind being asked for a donation because nonprofits need money to run. But, I think many conferences actually state in their rules not to mention it is against conference etiquette to solicit your colleagues at a nonprofit conference. I mean, didn't she realize that pretty much everyone there worked for a nonprofit organization, and if they all decided to go around and solicit we would have had over 1,500 people asking for gifts? It would have been mayhem not to mention annoying, and would likely result in people not going. So, the next time you go to a nonprofit conference, remember that this is the "safe space" that all of us can come together to learn - not your opportunity to solicit your colleagues.<br /><br />p.s. I will be posting more info from sessions from the conference, in addition to stuff from next week's American Evaluation Conference. I will also be posting slides from my two sessions on my website on Monday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-21335895155155014182009-09-16T22:37:00.004-05:002009-10-26T13:30:50.488-05:00Short HiatusI will be taking a short hiatus from writing for this blog. With trying to finish up my PhD coursework, board service, volunteering, and consulting projects I am getting overwhelmed and behind. I will be back in mid-November and may post infrequently during that time. I am looking for new nonprofit workers to participate in the "<a href="http://nonprofitsos.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20day%20in%20the%20life%20of....">A day in the life of a nonprofit worker</a>" series, and if you are interested please shoot me an email at kristen@advancementcompany.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-58157247660592415382009-09-09T11:58:00.001-05:002009-09-09T12:00:17.004-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />Trista Harris, Executive Director at <a href="www.headwatersfoundation.org">Headwaters Foundation for Justice</a> and chief blogger at <a href="www.newvoicesofphilanthropy.org">New Voices of Philanthropy</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />I check the list of most important things that I need to accomplish for the day, that I left for myself the night before and work on the task that will move our organization the furthest. It is usually something that needs some sort of strategic thinking, like our strategy to approach an institutional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">funder</span> or developing key messages for a media interview.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />My favorite way to spend lunch is to meet with our individual donors. It is amazing to see what draws people to become a donor to a social justice foundation. Many of our donors are part-time or full-time activists for the causes that they care about and I always learn something new when I meet with them. I also really enjoy having lunch with other professional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">grantmakers</span> in the Twin Cities. You can compare notes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">strategize</span> about how to effect the issues that your foundations are working on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Which part of your work do you enjoy most?</span><br />Headwaters support grassroots community organizing, so I really enjoy seeing how neighborhood residents will band together around a common cause, like getting rid of an environmental hazard in their neighborhood, and make real change through that collective action. Individuals working together can make the impossible, possible.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to…..</span><br />Believe in the power of each person and each dollar. When you meet with a group of volunteers that is starting to organize low-income residents to try to fix a systemic problem, like racial discrimination in housing, it can be really easy to underestimate the type of difference that they can make. I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ve</span> learned through this work that those individuals can create permanent policy change that can impact thousands and thousands of people because they are drawing attention to something that is unjust.<br /><br />There are grassroots activists that make $20-50 gifts to Headwaters and a lot of people might feel that a small gift <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">doesn</span>’t really make a big difference but what we have found is that our $20 donors can be our biggest advocates. They tell their friends why supporting community organizing is important and they start organizing donors. When you start adding all of those gifts together and you invest in cutting edge groups, amazing things happen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />Don’t forget to make sure that the pipeline of leaders continues behind you. None of us got where we are without mentors and people pulling for us, so make sure that you are that person for someone else.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-26364847214180709692009-09-02T08:29:00.001-05:002009-09-02T08:52:47.311-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1.What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />I'm Christopher Whitlatch, Manager of Marketing and Communications at <a href="http://www.pittsburghfoundation.org/">The Pittsburgh Foundation</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />I check our Twitter, Facebook and blog accounts. I answer any replies and feedbacks that I did not get to in the previous day. I check my email and flag items that need responses.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />I take a break from my day to read the newspaper or book and grab a bite to eat most days. I try and lunch with colleagues or friends at least once a week to socialize.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.Which part of your work do you enjoy most?</span><br />I enjoy working with the people of the community. My position allows me to interact with donors, grantees, other nonprofits, and community members at large. I enjoy using tools such as social media to tell their stories.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to…..</span><br />Participate and listen. My job is 2/3 listening to the community and 1/3 talking. With a concentration on using digital media, you need to acquire the skills of a storyteller, community builder, and learn when to participate and when to listen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />Don’t ignore the new digital tools – they are wonderful tools for nonprofits. In all the floods and fires that you deal with on a daily basis, remember the people you impact and interact with them on a regular basis. That is what makes my days so interesting.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-22367884691458665492009-08-26T08:23:00.002-05:002009-08-26T09:06:45.827-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />Sterling Harris, PAVSA (<a href="http://www.pavsa.org/">Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault</a>), Community Education/Case Tracking Coordinator - which only describes maybe 1/10 of what I do!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />Check my phone and email messages. Anything to do with clients takes priority. I primarily work with women and girls age 14 and up who have been sexually assaulted. Lately, I seem to be working with more mothers whose children have been assaulted. Most have reported their assaults to law enforcement and I act as a liaison with the criminal justice system. Many need support in other areas of their lives and I do my best to be creative in finding resources and options that may be helpful to them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />Usually with my amazing coworkers, sitting around the kitchen table. We often have women from the neighborhood who will drop in around the lunch hour. We will always drum up something so they can join us for lunch, if they choose.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Which part of your work do you enjoy most? </span><br />Working with women and girls. Many of the people who find themselves in our office have been<br />discounted by so many people in their own lives. When people who have experienced sexual violence come here, they are valued as survivors and human beings who deserve justice and utmost care.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Please finish this sentence:</span> If someone wanted my job, they would have to...never refrain from asking why sexual violence exists and why so many victims are treated so poorly in the system. The person would need to have an open mind, healthy coping skills, good boundaries, solid work ethic and a sense of humor<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />Take care of yourself and never give up.<br /><br /><strong>I am looking for new nonprofit workers to be featured. If you want to share a day in your life, please email me - </strong><a href="mailto:kristen@advancementcompany.com"><strong>kristen@advancementcompany.com</strong></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-37368304716018076182009-08-25T08:28:00.003-05:002009-08-25T08:37:00.108-05:00Reader Question: Personnel issues at board meeting<span style="font-style: italic;">I work for a small non-profit for over 5 years. We have an Executive Director and three staff. In the past we have been sponsored by other 501c3's and fell under their board of directors. As of this year, we have our own 501c3 and a new Board of Directors, 6 people who have never served on an active board. Our Exec. dir. has had some experience with Boards but not enough to guide them as to what they should do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That's the background....now here is the problem. The Exec. Dir. recently at a Board Meeting brought up personnel issues and in the notes first and last names given. (Is this a problem with confidentiality?) Also, the problems stated were untrue or misrepresented. Neither person has had a previous conversation with the director either before or after this was discussed with the board. What should be done? </span><br /><br />First, I am not an employment lawyer, so I do not know the law surrounding confidentiality.<br /><br />Now with that being said, the Executive Director can definitely (at least in my experience) bring up personnel issues and state specific names and issues at board meetings. In fact, many do when looking for guidance on issues. Particularly in small nonprofits. With that being said, those names are NOT typically published in the minutes, nor are the specific details. Typically the minutes will say something like "Staff issues discussed." or something along those lines.<br /><br />I would advise the staff who feel wronged to do two things. First, I would talk to the ED about having the specific names and issues removed from the meeting minutes. Instead, I would request similar wording to what I suggested above. Second, you have the right to talk to the board or board members. Many nonprofits have a grievance policy that advises staff what to do in the case of a grievance with the ED (typically involves going to the board). Since I don't know the specifics about the issues, I'm not sure what the best course of action here is. Since you found out via the meeting notes/minutes, you definitely have the right to contact the board members and note you would like to provide additional information to what you saw in the minutes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have your own question?</span> <strong>Email me - </strong><a href="mailto:kristen@advancementcompany.com"><strong>kristen@advancementcompany.com</strong></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-20104662224724670262009-08-21T09:47:00.002-05:002009-08-21T10:50:42.992-05:00Top 3 Weekly Blog Posts for Nonprofit Workers1.<a title="Permanent Link to The “Three R’s” of Fundraising Letters" href="http://stepbystepfundraising.com/three-fundraising-letters/" rel="bookmark">The “Three R’s” of Fundraising Letters</a> by <a href="http://stepbystepfundraising.com/">Step by Step Fundraising</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://forums.blackbaud.com/blogs/connections/archive/2009/08/17/5-mistakes-nonprofit-websites-make.aspx">5 Mistakes Nonprofit Websites Make</a> by <a href="http://forums.blackbaud.com/blogs/connections/default.aspx">Blackbaud </a><br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2009/08/18/roi-of-listening-17-things-to-do-with-what-you-hear/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to ROI of Listening: 17 Things to Do with What You Hear">ROI of Listening: 17 Things to Do with What You Hear</a> by <a href="http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog">Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-7451083680495714782009-08-19T08:20:00.002-05:002009-08-19T08:24:46.020-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1.What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />I'm Luise Barnikel, Sales and Marketing Associate at <a href="www.issuelab.org/">IssueLab</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.What is the first thing you do when you get in the office? </span><br />I get some cold water from the fridge, open our windows and sit down to check email and my calendar for the day. Depending on how many items are still on my list from the day before, I also spend a bit of time looking at our social media groups and accounts. A fairly routine hour of my mornings is spent going through my reader to get newest blog posts and third sector news, including feeds about comments I've made or posts I've written. It's important to listen and reply to these.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.How do you spend your lunch break? </span><br />Recently I've been trying to spend a bit of time eating or going for a walk outside. I'm happy that's an option after this seemingly eternal and frigid Chicago winter. Still, I spend many of my lunch breaks eating at my desk. When that's the case, I try to do some off-screen reading (here at IssueLab there's always a great nonprofit report floating around!), or check into news and other sites that give me a break.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.Which part of your work do you enjoy most? </span><br />I enjoy it when people find IssueLab's work and tools helpful. It's not only my job at IssueLab, but also IssueLab's mission to nonprofits to help folks communicate. When that gets done effectively and we can see the results through more traffic on our forum, more research contributors or more organizations partnering on our services, it's very rewarding.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to….. </span><br />...be persistent! It's difficult to build a solid brand and get attention on a small budget. On top of taking every good opportunity to get your word out there, it's important to follow-up and build meaningful connections – and that takes time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position? </span><br />You're important. Don't get discouraged and be patient. Especially now, many nonprofits are dealing with (even) smaller budgets. Everything is a process, and it might take a while to see results of your marketing efforts. It's important to measure returns and evaluate your work, but giving it your all is the best you can do.<br /><br /><strong>I am looking for new nonprofit workers to be featured. If you want to share a day in your life, please email me - </strong><a href="mailto:kristen@advancementcompany.com"><strong>kristen@advancementcompany.com</strong></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-26730617552691944012009-08-18T08:58:00.001-05:002009-08-18T09:06:47.124-05:00Guest Post: Developing a brand through an online presenceBy Alexia Harris at <a href="http://www.projectlearnsummit.org/cms/site/841df35d572b686e/index.html">Project Learn of Summit County</a> (<a href="http://twitter.com/alexiaharris">@alexiaharris</a>)<br /><br />It is imperative that nonprofits understand the significance of developing a brand. Whether your mission is to support cancer research or provide services to adults in need of literacy skills that mission needs to be communicated not only in person, but also online.<br /><br />In June 2009, it was announced that the YMCA of the USA's brand is worth almost $6.4 billion, making it the nation's most valuable nonprofit brand, according to research conducted by Cone and Intangible Business. The study also revealed that The American Cancer Society stood out with the strongest brand image, which can be credited to its standing as the single most relevant nonprofit organization among consumers. This study showed the correlation between an organization’s mission, brand and value. It also proved the importance of nurturing the public’s awareness and opinion of the organization.<br /><br />As the community relations manager for Project Learn of Summit County, one of my responsibilities is managing the agency’s online presence with strategies that support business, marketing and communication objectives (among other things).<br /><br />My goal is to make sure that Project Learn is properly represented on the Internet.<br /><br />To reach my goal, I had to do three things:<br /><br />1. Revamp Project Learn’s web site to make it helpful, user-friendly and visually appealing.<br /><br />2. Implement search engine optimization tactics to improving our web site’s availability to search engines and social media networks.<br /><br />3. Monitor and participate in social media to gain insight to topics that are related to literacy and adult education.<br /><br />This is not a “do it and leave it alone” type of job. You must update, monitor and participate in all types of communication activities on a regular basis. Communicating your mission and maintaining your brand must be done with care, as well as convey the same message. Nowadays, when a person wants more information about an organization, the first thing they do is conduct an online search, which is why an organization’s online brand is so critical.<br /><br />However, it is important to remember that when implementing your strategies and tactics, that your mission be integrated seamlessly so that it is able to become synonymous with the brand. By taking the correct steps to establish your brand and communicate your mission, you will create a very useful means to generate needed funds and prove your worth to supporters and volunteers.<br /><br />*Do you want to see how Project Learn does it? Browse our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Learn-of-Summit-County/51044779582">Facebook</a> page, <a href="http://twitter.com/projectlearn">Twitter</a> profile and <a href="http://projectlearn.wordpress.com/">blog</a> for suggestions on communicating your brand and mission online.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-51583624868910513772009-08-12T08:06:00.002-05:002009-08-12T08:14:59.528-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />Krista Francis, Director of Human Resources at <a href="http://www.jubileemd.org/template/index.cfm">Jubilee Association of Maryland</a> (@<a href="http://twitter.com/JubileeHR">jubileehr</a>). We provide residential and related services to adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Our office is in Kensington, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC. I love my job and I’ve been there 9 years. When my boss is away, I am Acting Executive Director, so my life is busy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />I wish I could give a more inspiring answer, but I delete all the spam the junk folder missed! While my computer is waking up, I go make coffee if it’s not already perking. I check in with my early arriving co-workers, Shannon and Aarti. J A few minutes of peace and relationship-building before the phone starts ringing! We empty the dishwasher together and catch up on our lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />I often get soup from the Kensington Market down the street. I might eat in the kitchen with co-workers or meet my hubby for a picnic in the beautiful park down the street. Probably two days are working lunches of one kind or another. If I eat at my desk, I check twitter or work on a blog post.<br /><br />And once a month, I make it a point to get together with my HR friends from other agencies. Feels so good to get out and connect with them!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Which part of your work do you enjoy most?</span><br />Recruiting and onboarding, absolutely. I love connecting the best candidates to our positions and helping them transition into their new jobs.<br /><br />I also love the positive influence I have on our culture, our policies, our practices, our staff. I love working at an amazing, reputable firm and hiring amazing talent that will continue the legacy.<br /><br />Finally, I love the variety and diversity in my duties and knowing that every day I make a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to…..</span><br />Learn how to keep secrets. Be discreet. Multi-task. Give people bad news. Think both strategically and long-term. Be detail-oriented and have good follow-through. Broker deals. See both sides. See the forest and the trees. Connect with the mission and vision of the company until it becomes your own.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />Stay on top of the trends in both human resources and your specific industry. Don’t get complacent.<br /><br />Strive to be the best. Quality attract quality, which attracts more quality.<br /><br />Connect with others. Human resources is a hard profession and it is easy to feel isolated and alone. Your co-workers don’t understand what you do and they have no concept of the demands on your time and psyche! Talking to, tweeting, e-mailing and meeting other HR people makes all the difference. Reach out and get to know each other. Share information, generously share your resources and best practices.<br /><br />Continue to learn and grow. Money is always tight in nonprofits, but be creative so that you can attend conferences and seminars. Get outside your agency. Mentor young folks. Pass on your expertise. Experiment with social media. Do something new.<br /><br /><br /><strong>I am looking for new nonprofit workers to be featured. If you want to share a day in your life, please email me - </strong><a href="mailto:kristen@advancementcompany.com"><strong>kristen@advancementcompany.com</strong></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999566886148724041.post-48040399371240353002009-08-05T07:26:00.002-05:002009-08-05T07:36:57.533-05:00A day in the life of a nonprofit worker<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. What is your name, organization and job title (you don't have to give your name/organization if you don't want to- it can be anonymous)</span><br />My name is Jennifer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Edel</span> and I’m the Coordinator of Training and Community Partnerships for the <a href="http://www.gmcc.org/VolCommJustice.htm">Community Justice Project</a>. We are a non-profit program that recruits and trains volunteers from the community to mentor offenders at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hennepin</span> County Adult Correctional Facility.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What is the first thing you do when you get in the office?</span><br />The first thing I do when I get in the office is read my emails, listen to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">voicemails</span>, and respond to them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. How do you spend your lunch break?</span><br />I usually spend my lunch break in the break room eating food I prepared at home. Occasionally I go out for lunch with a co-worker.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Which part of your work do you enjoy most?</span><br />What I enjoy most is working with the mentors. I enjoy learning about them, their life experiences, and why they are interested in mentoring offenders. We have mentors from all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Please finish this sentence: If someone wanted my job, they would have to…</span><br />Be organized and willing to work with people. Besides working with the mentors I prepare materials for trainings, contact mentors about different events, put together the mentor newsletter, and attend community meetings.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What advice or tips do you have for other nonprofit professionals in your position?</span><br />Learn by doing. Also be open to trying new things and taking on new roles. Networking is also important. It is good to attend community and other meetings where you have the chance to meet new people and learn about different resources.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0