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Re-energizing Your Organization - OR - How to Stop Feeling Like Gumby®
by Rosemary Bayer* and Lee Gorman**
Are you feeling exhausted from the incredible stress on your non-profit organization lately?
Is it impossible to get everything done?
The intensity of response to the driving need in Michigan, today, is causing many non-profit organizations to feel stretched beyond reasonable limits.
We're all striving to do more with less to try to meet the ever-growing needs of our community. So, too often, we don't find the time to stop and look at the big picture once in a while. We don't check to see if what we're doing is still in line with our mission, and if our strategy and plans still line up and move us toward our bigger goals.
When you do not have time for it, that is exactly the right time to review your high level strategy, align your activities with that strategy, and optimize your internal processes and systems. There is no better way to get more done with what you have and to make sure that what you are doing will give you the biggest bang for the buck!
This is the first in a series of 10 articles that will give you a step-by-step outline for a strategic review and revitalization of your organization. The purpose of these is to help you quickly decide if it is the right time for you to regroup. Then the articles will walk you through an assessment of your strategy and plans, your goals and priorities, and your operational processes and systems. We will help you tune your strategy to ensure alignment with your mission and vision, and also refine your operations to get more done for less. You will ultimately eliminate things you don't need to do anymore, and become more efficient at the things you do need to do.
Here is the series outline:
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The Importance of Strategy: This will examine how a good strategic plan allows you to take a fresh new look at your decision-making, your competition, continuity, positioning and alignment.
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Understand Your Mission and Vision: This will explore the difference between mission and vision, and explain how both help you establish achievable goals, strategies and collaboration.
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A New Look At Strategic Goals and Priorities: Are yours really helping you get to where you want to be?
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Learning about Outcomes-based Performance Measurement: What is changing in this crucial area and why; how can this help you with visibility and funding.
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Assessing Organizational Capacity and Performance: Where can you find ways to increase your capacity with your current resources, and new ways to enhance or enable initiatives with technology to reduce costs or increase capacity?
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Prioritizing Your Organizational Improvement Processes: Identify alternative methods and tools to implement improvements.
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Action Plans For Implementation of Your Strategic Plans: Create roadmaps and goals, and tie those plans to your capacity building strategy.
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More Effective Collaboration: What are some basic steps to prepare for efficient collaboration, and do more work together without giving up what matters most to you!
We hope this set of practical step-by-step tools will help you take a fresh look at your organization, and help you ensure that what you are spending time on really matters to you and your mission! We want to help you feel comfortable that the things you spend time on are as efficient as can be. And we want to assist so that you get the most out of using outcomes-based measurements and collaborations that expand your impact - while alleviating your stress!
See you next month!
Lee and Rosemary
*Rosemary Bayer is Chief Inspiration Officer for ardentCause, L3C, a company dedicated to helping nonprofits increase capacity through operational performance improvement and the adroit use of technology. She has 25 years in the Information Technology industry, and excels at inspiring varied groups of people to pursue a common vision, as well as problem solving and inventing. Experienced in both for-profit and not-for-profit ventures, she was a founder of the nonprofit Michigan Council of Women in Technology (now 650-plus members) and founder and president of the MCWT Foundation.
**Lee Gorman, the founder of Barton Consulting Services, LLC, http://www.bartonconsultingservices.com/ is an insightful, results-oriented executive with over 25 years of diverse experience in strategic planning, product planning, implementation and leadership. She has particular expertise in assisting organizations to understand and articulate their missions, visions, and values statements, and then to develop specific goals and strategic priorities. She has demonstrated this proficiency in health care, educational, automotive, and other for-profit and non-profit businesses.
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It Benefits You |
Save the Date |
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Apply for Google Grants
The Google Grants program empowers over 4,000 organizations to achieve their goals by helping them promote their websites via advertising on Google. Google Grants will give you an advertising grant within the Google AdWordsTM program. AdWords is an online self-managed advertising program where your organization will build its own AdWords account by creating and monitoring text ads that run on Google. See program details and requirements.
If you've been accepted in the Google Grants program you are welcome to email Professor Paul Resnick (presnick at umich.edu) for consideration for the AdWords in the Curriculum program. School of Information students at the U of M would help run an Adwords campaign and track its success this term.
News from Location Foundations
Grants will be made across the nonprofit spectrum, including basic needs, the arts, and the environment. More information and guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to call AAACF's Program Director, Phil D'Anieri (734-663-0401) before applying.
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Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. You are welcome to submit a proposal at any time. However, if you submit a proposal prior to February 15, May 15, August 15 or November 15, you are likely to get a response within three or four months. How to apply for a grant.
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The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation http://www.knightfoundationmi.org/index.htm has set 2010 grant deadlines for Wednesday, February 24 and Wednesday, September 15. Primarily serving Jackson and Washtenaw counties, the Foundation gives most, but not all, grants for women and girls, animals and the natural world, and internal capacity.
All applicants are expected to submit applications using the Community Grants online system. Training sessions will be offered prior to the deadline for any agencies needing assistance with the process. Please contact the foundation if you have questions or specifics to discuss (734-769-5653).
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 Get Connected: Identify Theft Prevention - Best Practices for Nonprofits
Thursday, January 28, 3:30pm - 5pm (see below)
Show Me the Funders! Resource Expo
Friday, January 29, 8:30am - 3pm
Fellowship Chapel Village, 7707 W. Outer Dr., Detroit
More information and registration.
Census Training - Everyone Must Count!
Tuesday, January 19, 9am - 11am
Location: The Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, 311 E. Grand River (in Harmonie Park)
The 2010 Census is calling on nonprofits to help mobilize communities for accurate counts of citizens, especially those in hard to count neighborhoods. You can help. Come to a free training offered by City Connect Detroit. You will learn:
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how to address the myths and fears about the Census
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how to develop targeted messages for your constituents
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what resources are available to support your efforts
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how to get your staff and volunteers trained
Please register by contacting Desiree Cooper
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(313-963-9722)
Not-For-Profit Career Expo
Wednesday, February 10, 3pm - 6pm, Michigan Union, UM campus, Ann Arbor
The Not-For-Profit Career Expo is designed to connect nonprofit organizations with University of Michigan undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines for internships, volunteer opportunities, and permanent positions. Register your nonprofit organization by February 3.
Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference - May 18-19. More Information.
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The Bulletin Board |
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Copier for sale Toshiba Estudio, 350
Good condition, B/W, document feeder, duplexer, finisher, sorter and stapler, Asking $1,500.
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Conference Room Table
8' x 4' oak, nearly new condition. Asking $40
For either of the above contact Brain Injury Association of Brighton (810-229-5880) (jmccrickard at biami.org)
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npServ™ News |
Resource of the Month |
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Need Help Fundraising?
npServ™, NEW's IT program for nonprofits, is helping you make the most of 2010 with less!
Let us help you.... with a new Donor Database!
Contact Yodit Mesfin Johnson, Outreach Manager, for more information. (734-998-0160 x 238)
npServ™ strives to offer you affordable solutions for many of your IT needs. Call us today for a FREE technical assessment! |
Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Michigan serves as an educational resource to improve the efficiency, transparency and accountability of Michigan charitable organizations.
Download a copy as well as the Basic Infrastructure Checklist and the Principles and Practices Assessment Tool.
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The Foundation Directory Online is your resource for finding potential funders. Use it with a coach at NEW's offices in Ann Arbor or Detroit. Call for an appointment. 734-998-0160 or 313-887-7788.
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Selected Upcoming Trainings in Southeast Michigan |
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See also Webinars below.
 Building Your Board
Wednesday, January 13, 9am - noon
Hannan House, 4750 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Cost: $55 ($5 discount with online registration)
Covers important aspects of recruiting new members for a nonprofit's board of directors including recruitment planning, identifying and cultivating candidates, and electing new members. Registration.
Serving on a Nonprofit Board
Thursday, January 14, 3pm - 6pm
New Center, 1100 N Main St., Ann Arbor
Cost: $55 ($5 discount with online registration)
For community members interested in serving on a nonprofit board. Learn five main responsibilities of board membership and how to find a board match with a nonprofit that could use your expertise. More information, pricing and registration.
Census Training: Everyone Must Count
Tuesday, January 19, 9am - 11am
(See above for details)
Social Media and Time Management
Cost: $55 ($5 discount with online registration)
Presented for npServ by Jim Leija, Public Relations Manager, University Musical Society
Are you intimidated by the time needed to maintain your online presence? Learn how you can engage nonprofit staff members, volunteers, and your constituency in your online campaigns. This workshop assumes that your organization has already established a presence through social media via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogging, etc. Please bring a laptop with a wireless card in order to access our wireless network.
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Friday, January 22, 9am - 12 noon
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St, Ann Arbor
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Friday, February 5, 9am - 12 noon
Affirmations, 290 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale
Anatomy of an Online Fundraiser
Cost: $55 ($50 with online registration)
Presented by Linh Song, Director of npServ
Looking to leverage your online presence beyond a PayPal button? We will walk through a step-by-step process of ideal nonprofit online fundraising campaigns for small to medium sized organizations; time management, creative ideas that can differentiate your organization from other campaigns, and all of the back office work involved for follow-up and long-term relationship development. Please bring a laptop with a wireless card in order to access our wireless network.
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Wednesday January 27, 9am - 12 noon
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St, Ann Arbor
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Wednesday February 24, 9am - 12 noon
Affirmations, 290 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale
Identify Theft Prevention -- Best Practices for Nonprofits
NEW's Get Connected Program
Thursday, January 28, 3:30pm - 5pm
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St, Ann Arbor
Cost: $15 ($10 with online registration)
Presented by Colleen Riccinto
If you think your organization is not at risk for damages from data violations and identity theft, think again. Over half of all identity theft occurs at the workplace, and nonprofits are no exception. While the monetary losses from a data breach can be severe, so can the assault to your organization's reputation from this crime.
How to Get Your Board to Raise Money
February 11, 9am - 11:30am
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St, Ann Arbor
Cost: $50 ($45 with online registration)
Presented by Diana Kern, BoardConnect
A longer version of the January 11 Webinar, with plenty of time to ask questions. Join a seasoned board member in a fast-paced session about ways to get your board to be better ambassadors. Learn how to jump start their involvement in raising money!
Serving on a Nonprofit Board
Wednesday, February 17, 3pm - 6pm
Detroit, Hannan House, 4750 Woodward
Cost: $55 ($50 with online registration)
For community members interested in serving on a nonprofit board. Learn five main responsibilities of board membership and how to find a board match with a nonprofit that could use your expertise. More information, pricing and registration.
Signing Sponsors in a Lean Economy
Thursday, February 18, 9am - 3pm
Detroit : Doubletree Guest Suites Fort Shelby, 525 W Lafayette Blvd. Map.
Presented by Barbara Herrington, Sponsorship Network, for the Michigan Nonprofit Association
Cost: $80 MNA members; $100 non-members
More and more companies rely on sponsorships as an alternative to advertising to motivate consumers. Get an understanding of the benefits corporations crave and how to be successful in sponsorship sales.
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For more education opportunities, see Michigan Nonprofit Association's statewide training calendar.
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Webinars: Learn at Your Desk!
The Nonprofit Secret: Six Principles to Successful Board/CEO Partnerships (Webinar)
Tuesday, January 19, 2pm - 3:30pm ET
Cost: $39 for members of the Alliance for Nonprofit management; $59 for nonmembers.
Presented by Jonathan Schick, Alliance for Nonprofit Management, author of the book of the same title.
The Alliance for Justice Web Workshops for Nonprofit and Foundation Advocacy
Each of the following starts at 2pm ET and runs for approximately one hour. Cost: $25 per participant.
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Thursday, January 14: A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
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Wednesday, January 20: Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act Rules for Nonprofits.
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Tuesday, January 26: Strategies for Coalitions and Affiliated Organizations
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Thursday, January 28: Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits
Board's Role in Fundraising (Webinar)
Tuesday, January 26, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Cost: MNA members$40 / nonmembers $45
Participants will gain an understanding of the board's role in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and the legal and ethical considerations in fundraising.
More information and registration.
Pratibha Saxena (517-492-2447) is your contact for questions.
Effective Virtual Meetings (Webinar)
Tuesday, February 9, 10am - 12 noon
Presented by Michigan Nonprofit Association
Cost: MNA members $40; nonmembers $50
Online meeting tools with voice and video can involve people no matter where they are. See a demonstration of a few online meeting tools and learn how to make your meetings more effective.
Registration.
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Thank you to Supporters of NEW
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Special thanks to NEW's founding partner
the McKinley Foundation
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NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its seventh year of publication.
If you have information of interest to the nonprofit community, please send to
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