How do we make sure our boards are fully functioning in a joyful, productive way? In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about why nonprofits have a board and what boards need to focus on to build a movement for their mission. They talk about what governance means in every day language, and how a board is accountable to their community, their purpose, and the organization. This is the first in a two-part series on boards. Nancy and Sarah will share tips for staff members working with boards in the next episode.
Episode 50: Leading in 2022: Sarah has a new job!
Nonprofit Radio Show co-host Sarah Brooks has a new job as Executive Director of the Methow Conservancy in Eastern Washington. (Read a recent article about the Conservancy's work returning land to the Colville Tribe.) In this episode, Nancy asks Sarah about leadership transition and building a movement during the turbulence of 2022.
Episode 49: The Importance of Formers
People who used to work on behalf of your mission are important people in your movement. Former staff members, board members, volunteers and others have played in important role in forming your work. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about "formers," why they matter, and how you can keep them connected to your mission and programs.
Episode 48: Become a trustful nonprofit
There have been a few reports out over the past year that warn us that trust in institutions has decreased, including in nonprofits. One body of research that we will link in the show notes says that only 19% of people highly trust nonprofits. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what causes people to trust a nonprofit, how you know if people trust your nonprofit, and what you can do to increase trust. Trust us, you'll want to take a listen.
Episode 47: Understand your donors’ why
Your donors give for a reason. Do you know what it is? In this episode, Sarah and Nancy explore four common reasons why donors give. They give advice on which of these groups of donors you should spend more of your time with and why. If you don't know why your donors give, listen for some ways that will help you find out. Your mission matters, and money is the fuel for you to deliver that mission. Take 20 minutes to reflect on your fundraising practice so you build your movement for the next year.
Episode 46: 2022 SERIES – Staffing our organizations in a time of the great resignation
The Nonprofit Radio Show continues its three-part 2022 leadership series with a focus on staffing. In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what is important to remember about building your team in 2022. On the table is an honest conversation about whether you need to pay your staff more in our current marketplace of work. If you are in a position of hiring staff, listen for specific advice on small steps you can take to strengthen your team. Our people matter. What will you do to strengthen your team?
Episode 45: 2022 SERIES – The ED Search
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah reflect on the "great resignation" and offer thoughts on how a nonprofit might approach recruiting and hiring an Executive Director or senior staff member during these tight staffing times.
Episode 44: 2022 SERIES – Strategic Planning
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what strategic planning looks like in 2022 and how an organization can implement a planning process that reflects the biggest questions in front of them.
Episode 43: Refreshing the board matrix to build a diverse board
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah reflect on the purpose of a board matrix and how we can update this tool to better capture a fuller diversity of the humans tasked with moving forward our mission and movement.
Episode 42: Breaking the rules
In this episode, Nancy and Sarah talk about what kinds of rules we face as nonprofit leaders and what rules we can break--should break!-- as we build strategy and intention around our programs and practice.