5 Fun Tips for Nonprofit Leaders This 4th of July As we enjoy the 4th of July with good food, time with family and friends, and dazzling fireworks, let’s make sure the only sparks flying are the ones in the sky! Just like a well-choreographed fireworks show, a harmonious boardroom requires careful planning and coordination. Here are a few fun strategies to help you keep the “fireworks” out of the boardroom. 1. The Firework: Miscommunication Strategy: Conversation Sparklers Miscommunication can ignite like a rogue firework, and often it stems from board members not having rapport or trusting each other to give the benefit of the doubt. So why not hold regular social connections for your board or mix up your board meetings from time to time with a brief opening activity to build collegiality? Conversation cards can be one fun way to learn something new about each other by pulling a card with a question and having board members pair up to share how they’d answer it.  You could also consider creating your own cards with questions related to board service. 2. The Firework: Lack of Diversity Strategy: Diversity Potluck A lack of diverse perspectives can dim the board’s effectiveness […]

When you were a kid, did you ever have that friend who kept their nose in a book? Perhaps they spent weekends at the library or they chose reading over recess. You remember that person. Well, I must confess. I WAS that person—a true bookworm. There was nothing better than the smell of books, the pages between my fingertips, and the great escape each new book offered. Give me a stack of Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary books, and I’d be enraptured my entire summer vacation.  As I grew older and became busy with adulting– work, family and friend obligations– my commitment to read slowly faded. It wasn’t a lack of desire but more the realities of too many demands on my time. I stopped prioritizing reading. And if I made any attempt to pick up a book, I fell asleep within five minutes.  The summer of 2024 is upon us, and I am recommitting to reading. I am not going to make this another “to do” obligation. I’m simply going to pick up one of the books in my house that has been closed for way too long, and I’m going to begin. Maybe I’ll get through one book. […]

I’m guessing you’ve probably organized, witnessed, or participated in a silent auction in your lifetime. Over the years I’ve been to several charitable events that include a silent auction as part of their fundraising strategy, and I’ve always struggled with the mix of thoughts and feelings that come with the bidding process.  Yes, I want to give.  I also want to win.  Even better if I win something at a bargain price.  Then the guilt sets in. If I win something at a low price, then the nonprofit isn’t getting as much money from me. And that feels crappy for me and even crappier for them. And what about the person or company that donated the item and sees it go for a “steal” when they were hoping it would generate contributions for the cause they care about? If I don’t place the winning bid, I am bummed because I didn’t get to support the cause nor did I get the item or service I really wanted. Now, don’t get me wrong. I usually find another way to make a donation, but still…there’s got to be a better way, doesn’t there? As a long-time follower of Seth Godin, I am […]

Have you ever thought about how nonprofits are kind of like people? They go through different stages of life, just like we do. From birth to childhood, adolescence, maturity, and eventually renewal (or, unfortunately, stagnation). Sounds familiar, right? When a nonprofit is just starting out, it’s like a little kid full of energy and big dreams. The founder and board members are like the parents, guiding and nurturing this young organization. They’re the ones with the vision, the passion, and the drive to make things happen. But here’s the catch: they’re also often wearing all of the hats and doing a bit of everything—getting their hands dirty with day-to-day operations while trying to also govern, although usually not consistently or in any formalized way. Governance is in its early stages so structures and policies often aren’t even in writing yet. This stage can be one of the most time-consuming stages of a nonprofit’s development because it requires board members to wear both the governance hat and operations hat.  There are usually no paid staff (or very minimal staff) so everyone pitches in to get the work done. Now, fast forward a bit. The nonprofit starts to mature, entering its adolescence […]

Let’s get real for a minute. Stepping into the shoes of a nonprofit board member can feel like embarking on a complex journey, where the path isn’t always clear and at times, it can be downright overwhelming. Many newcomers to the role underestimate the breadth of responsibilities awaiting them, and many organizations do a poor job of painting a clear picture of what it really means to serve on a nonprofit board.  From overseeing finances to shaping strategic direction, the duties can seem all-consuming. The majority of board members serving on nonprofit boards nationwide have day jobs, families, and life beyond board service. How can we make it easier for all board members to fulfill the long list of responsibilities staring them in the face? Over the past few years I’ve begun introducing my clients to the idea of an annual board checklist and calendar. Think of it like a reliable compass in uncharted territory. These tools provide structure and guidance, ensuring that important tasks don’t slip through the cracks, even as board members come and go.  Consistency is key to laying a strong foundation for the organization’s continued success, no matter who’s at the helm. Below are a handful […]

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” Sound familiar? Probably. This idea has been around for years, especially if you play a fundraising role at your nonprofit.  But is this approach working?  In a recent blog post, Seth Godin challenges the conventional wisdom of asking and encourages us to view the best “asks” as offers. By offering our assistance to help others reach their goals, we move away from a transaction and move toward building a true relationship–one founded on a spirit of love and generosity rather than mere self-interest.  Imagine if you embraced the unique stories and aspirations of those you engage with, taking the time to truly understand their dreams and goals.  Recently I was at a gathering and had the chance to listen to a group of nonprofit board members share their perspectives on board service.  One common theme arose: board members didn’t feel like anyone got to know who they were beyond their board service. Many also shared that they were asked to make financial contributions but never asked to contribute their unique knowledge, skills, or strengths as part of their service. As a result, they felt like seat fillers—ATM machines—and as one person shared, “I […]

Happy 2024, Changemakers! With the new year in full gear, I wanted to take a moment to share one of my favorite traditions:  finding a quote that resonates with me and that can also serve as a guide to those I care about.  In that spirit and in the words of writer Neil Gaiman, here is my wish for you in 2024… “Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.  Remember to forgive yourself and to forgive others. It’s too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand. Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin. Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.  Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.” Carrying forward the essence of this poem, I’m excited to share with you a couple of new services The Stacey Wedding Group is offering in 2024 to elevate your leadership journey and organization. The […]

Life can be messy and nonprofit life is no exception. As 2023 nears the rearview mirror, now is as good a time as any to take a moment, reflect, and talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend. To bask in the glory of your awesomeness and raise a glass to your accomplishments.  Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not a fan of toxic positivity or forced celebration. I AM a believer in the power of reflection and taking time to celebrate achievements of all sizes throughout the year and especially at the end of the year when we have a full 12 months to look back on. [And yes, sometimes our greatest achievement is getting ourselves dressed and not going postal on our annoying co-worker. This counts, too. 😉] So, as you reflect on your past year, what are you most proud of– for yourself and for your organization? What was the secret sauce that brought that to life and how can you replicate that moving forward? And if you need some inspiration to get started, take this advice from one of my savvy executive director friends: “I love making a list of the awesome things […]

As Halloween fades into the rearview mirror, and the costumes and spooky decorations are packed away for another year, it’s a curious twist of fate that we find ourselves in the world of nonprofit board governance still grappling with some fears. These aren’t the supernatural ghosts and goblins that emerge in October, but rather the very human fears that can cast their shadows over board members, impacting their decisions and actions. There are a number of ways these anxieties reveal themselves, and I hear about them most often from CEOs/Executive Directors (EDs) who call or text to share yet another real-life horror story of something a board member said or some decision the board made that they never would make in their “real” jobs.  While this isn’t something we can fix overnight, perhaps a first step in our journey to strengthening nonprofit organizations and the boards that serve them is by understanding what some of these fears are, how they show up, and what we can do to put these fears at bay. Fear of Losing the Executive Director Picture this: Your organization’s ED, the driving force behind your nonprofit’s mission, decides to move on. Talk to most boards and […]

As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to talk about skeletons in the closet – not the spooky, supernatural kind, but the hidden issues lurking within nonprofit organizations. Just like in a haunted house, these hidden problems can cause serious nightmares if left unaddressed.  Having worked with nonprofits of all sizes over the years, below are some of the more general “skeletons” I’ve seen.  1. Financial Ghosts: Often financial management doesn’t stem from an intentional act of malfeasance but rather a lack of awareness, understanding, or knowledge about financial tracking, record keeping, and reporting. When foundational elements of an organization aren’t strong, everything else is at risk of crumbling, often with donor trust being at the top of that list.   2. Boardroom Phantoms: More nonprofits than I’d like to admit have inactive or disengaged board members. Bottom line– an ineffective board hinders organizational growth and impact. Hoping the problem corrects itself is not a strategy and will only lead to more skeletons lurking.   3. Ethical Ghouls: Sometimes nonprofits compromise their values in the pursuit of funding or popularity. These ethical dilemmas, if ignored, can tarnish the organization’s reputation and lead to mission creep as well. As tempting as it can […]