A Man Said to the Universe

A man said to the universe:

“Sir, I exist!”

“However,” replied the universe,

“The fact has not created in me

A sense of obligation.”

Stephen Crane (1871-1900)

A nonprofit or non governmental organization is only as strong as its leadership. A nonprofit organization’s quality is only as good as its employees. When recruiting from the for-profit sector remember its not the compensation that should be the first draw to your organization but the organization’s mission and vision. The attitudes and expectations set by the leadership ultimately set the tone of accountability of any organization, including government. The type of incorporation does not create leaders. Recently the election process would seem to have recognized everyone. True leaders will continue to recognize those they serve even after they get the job.

This article highlights some of the pros and cons of being in a non profit and emphasizes how the seemingly incessant workload is both.

When not in school keeping busy keeps me out of trouble. When I am bored things just happen. When I have plans it helps me wait. When I have no plans I get in trouble. My parents have signed me up for stuff. Most of the time I like the stuff. Not all my friends parents at school know about signing up for this stuff. I tell them to call my parents. Oh, I just told Papa they might get calls.

From Papa: So far we have been lucky its only been parents in the school yard where we have been asked to share information. Thanks Chris for promoting your parents to summer programming coordinator.

The use of summer interns is a very easy inexpensive way to run summer and school vacation programs. It also provides to a nonprofit organization a way to identify in advance potential employees to recruit, promote the brand and communicate to the community the nonprofit.

Article showing trends in needs with Colorado having the largest increase.

Sometimes renting to or from another nonprofit just might be better option for an organizations bottom line and long term viability.  Article link click here.

Great feel-good article about a volunteer opportunity that, last year alone, helped 80 non profits with general upkeep and aided staff with some of their individual projects. There will be another one of these events happening in September.

Have the space to put in at least one classroom to have childcare on site?  What a great recruiting tool.  What a great way to ensure that there is a place for employees to obtain childcare, work and not have to worry as much about getting to the child care center on time.  Traffic can be such an unpredictable problem.  How many times have you heard, got to run to pick up my child at child care.  I have make sure I have two hours to make sure traffic does not interfere with getting there.

How about running a school vacation and summer program?

These options bring in revenues, increase productivity, lower costs of recruitment, staff turnover, and allow you to pay lower wages due to the on sight benefits.    You can competitive with benefits other employers do not offer.

Hospices are finding that youth are stepping up to help with memories of helping a grandparent or watching other relatives help a love one.  The article is a must read to understand getting out the message and connecting with volunteers on a personal level.

For Military Veterans the Mass Bar Association is providing free advice over the phone on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to answer military veterans’ legal questions. This article link provides information on how to contact them.

Great article updating everyone of the opportunity to purchase a low cost laptop and donate one to a child in developing country.