gbm's blog

June 2010
Two Experiments in Social Media

Dear Friends,

Over the last two months I shared with you some advice for new executive directors, received in response to questions I posed on LinkedIn and Twitter. This month I share my thoughts on this experiment itself, along with another I recently conducted on Facebook.

May 2010
More Advice to a New (and perhaps first-time) E.D.

Dear Friends,

Last month I shared with you some advice intended for any new executive director, but especially for one who may have prior business experience in the for-profit world and is entering the nonprofit E.D. role for the first time. The advice shared came from respondents to a question posed on LinkedIn and Facebook. The responses were of such quality and quantity that I am publishing a second (and final) round of them this month. (Please note that they have been edited in some instances for form or brevity but not in substance.)

April 2010
Advice to a New (and perhaps first-time) E.D.

Dear Friends,

Besides serving as a management consultant to nonprofit organizations, I am actively involved as a board member in two at present, one of which is underway with a search for a new executive director. Meanwhile, a very dear friend is working her way through her first year as an E.D. So this month I share with you some advice intended for any new executive director, but especially for one who may have prior business experience in the for-profit world and is entering the nonprofit E.D. role for the first time.

March 2010
The Surprise Program

Dear Friends,

This month I focus on a situation that happens to many if not all of us who serve on boards or their equivalent - what I call the "surprise program." I would appreciate your comments very much. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com.

Peace,
David

The Five Foundation-Stones of Organization-Building

Courage of Commitment... Creativity in Approach... Generosity of Spirit...
Honesty in Communication... Steadfastness of Purpose

February 2010
Annual Reports

Dear Friends,

Lately I have received a number of questions on annual reports. I have also received a few in the mailbox from my own favorite charities, ranging from the simple to the elaborate. Not all that many faith communities and secular nonprofits are in the habit of publishing annual reports these days. I still recommend them, however. So this month I share my thoughts on them. As always, I welcome your comments. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com. I hope your year is off to a good start.

Peace,
David

January 2010
Creativity in Approach: Adapting to Context

Dear Friends,

Last month I started my second round of articles on what I call the five foundation-stones of building organizations. This month, I continue with this second series by returning to the principle of creativity in approach. When I introduced the principle last year, I addressed the question of how to stir creativity. Here I focus on adapting to context. 

As I mentioned previously, if you would like a copy of the first set of articles, write to me at davidnorgard@OD180.com and I will be glad to send them to you. As always, I welcome your reflections and comments.

Peace, David

December 2009
Perseverance

Dear Friends,

Last year, I introduced what I call the five foundation-stones of building organizations. The five core concepts are: 1) courage of commitment; 2) creativity in approach; 3) generosity of spirit; 4) honesty in communication; and 5) steadfastness of purpose. In succession, I described one way that each of these values is lived out: acting boldly in the face of opposition, stirring creativity, expressing gratitude routinely, telling the whole truth and, last but not least, managing for results, not exactitude in process. This month I begin a second round of reflections on the foundation-stones, beginning with that aspect of courage that is most aptly described as perseverance.  

November 2009
Foundational Concepts in Fundraising

Dear Friends,

For many nonprofit organizations, the recession continues, even if it is over technically. I am reminded of this reality by the fact that I have fielded more questions about fundraising this past month than about anything else.

So, this month let me review some important foundational concepts relating to fundraising. I believe these will be especially pertinent and helpful to those organizations that have a one-person development shop or perhaps rely entirely on a combination of external consultants and volunteers.

I always appreciate your comments and questions. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com.

October 2009
Sayings 2009

Dear Friends,

This month, toward that noble end, I offer here a sampling of sayings that I have found to be worth remembering in leading and managing organizations. Some are original, others are borrowed. All have withstood the test of repeated personal experiment and proven to be of continuing help. I hope at least one of them finds its way into your stock of sound advice.

If you have a word of wisdom to share, I hope you will. Send it to me at davidnorgard@OD180.com and I will include it next month, with appreciative attribution, of course!

Peace, David

September 2009
Constituents... Don't Take Them for Granted

Dear Friends,

Last month, guest contributors from Green Bird Media wrote about how to hire a web designer, a website being one critical component of any organization's constituent relations program today. It sparked some interesting replies about your experiences with websites. One reader's response included some insights which may be helpful to many of you; I include it below.

This month it seems fitting to continue in the same vein and turn to the topic of constituent relations in general. Every organization has constituents, of course, but its relations with them are not always marked by forethought.

June 2009
Steadfastness of Purpose

Dear Friends,

This month I finish my series on the five foundation-stones of organization building. In prior months, I have discussed generosity of spirit, honesty in communication, courage of commitment, and most recently, creativity in approach. You can view these previous articles by going to http://www.od180.com/forum. Today I look at steadfastness of purpose.

Please know that your steadfast readership of this monthly Management Letter is very much appreciated. I welcome your comments and questions anytime. Go to my blog or write to me at davidnorgard@OD180.com.

Peace,
David

May 2009
Comprehensive Development Plans

Dear Friends,

A couple months ago, I addressed the subject of strategic plans. There are two other formal plans which I generally recommend preparing as companion pieces to the overarching strategic plan. One is a board development plan and the other is a comprehensive development plan - the subject of this month's article.

Your own comments and questions are always welcome. Go to "David's Blog" on the OD180 website or send them directly to me at davidnorgard@OD180.com.

Peace,
David