New Article on CausePlanet.com: Four Considerations for Nonprofit Organizational Relevance
Part one of my latest article on organizational relevance for nonprofit organizations has been posted on CausePlanet. Here is an exerpt:
Relevance is a word that has been tossed around a lot lately, both for the nonprofit sector as a whole and within individual organizations. Many nonprofit leaders have been considering their organization’s place in a world that is being rapidly redefined by technology, the impact of the economic downturn and demographic shifts. This, I believe, is a good thing. However, an all too common response to the “Will we continue to be relevant?” question seems to be turning inward, doing a quick review of all the things an organization is doing well, and then proudly reporting to constituents that, “Yes, we are relevant. More relevant than ever.”
Want to read the whole thing? Check it out on CausePlanet.
What do you think will be the top considerations for continued organizational relevance? What is your organization doing to ensure continued relevance (or leadership) in your field? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Readings on Rethinking the Nonprofit Sector
Originally published by the Community Resource Center
I spent last week on a landscape photography tour in Oregon. I signed up for the tour to experience watching a professional photographer working in the field and to get to some great photo locations at the right time. What I got instead was a huge kick in the pants. For the first time in many years, I felt constantly challenged and inspired. With horrible weather, challenging conditions for photography, excruciatingly long days, and lots of tiresome physical activity, I created some of my favorite photographs…ever.
So what does this have to do with nonprofit management, you ask? For me, this trip pushed me beyond many of my personal boundaries and at those points, I found a lot more success and learning than I anticipated. This can be an important lesson in leading and managing an organization, especially now. Read more
Redefining Nonprofits and the Leadership “Crisis”
Originally published be CausePlanet.com
Whether you think the nonprofit sector is facing a leadership crisis or a leadership transition, the issue is difficult to ignore and is likely already affecting your organization in some way. It may look like generational differences that are causing workplace disharmony, a founding executive director preparing to retire, or a talented young employee leaving because of a lack of opportunity for advancement. From a more academic perspective, most research on this issue focuses on how generational differences and structural issues within the nonprofit sector, along with demographic shifts, have created something of a perfect storm that will leave the sector without strong leadership in coming years. Read more