John Brown - The famed abolitionist leader would probably be labeled as an “Insurgent” and a terrorist by our current government and those labels would be repeated by the many media sources without much critique or analysis.  Whether one believes the fact that he was fighting against injustice for the rights of oppressed people, his resistance would be intolerable.  Therefore, I ask you to wonder how many leaders are considered marginalized “Insurgents” in their field of work today.  I further challenge you on whether the discomfort of any particular insurgent might be remembered more fondly in the future, as some remember the noble fight of John Brown.   Strives in societies evolution did not occur with the acceptance of the norm, but with individuals willing to be first.  As a leader or in selecting leadership consider whether the risks of being first are worth it, if ultimately society is better off?    As a leader or in selecting leadership consider whether the risks of evolving the nonprofit are worth it, if ultimately society is better off?

For more detailed information on John Brown check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)

Lord Jeffery Amherst who is reputed to have given blankets contaminated with smallpox to the Native Americans in hopes of wiping him out, thus making him one of history’s first Bio-Terrorists. Regardless of whether that actually happened, Lord Amherst is known to have endorsed the concept and called for the “extirpation” of Native Americans in his own writing. Despite that history, he is admired by many Americans even to this day. His name adorns some great institutions and several towns and counties in the United States and Canada. I highlight his legacy because of his connection to both government and a nonprofit education institution. The second reason I highlight his legacy is that the past can come back to haunt an organization. There are many businesses that have been identified even presently of links to war time actions of their past former leaders and their actions required the companies to make financial arrangements in response in present day value. While today it may be difficult to prove that the wealth of a nonprofit was built upon the funds earned by inappropriate actions of a former leader, just the accusation can cause sufficient financial harm if the assets of a nonprofit are not large enough to weather the furor. It is better to be up front and take action once information is known.

For more history on the evolution of Lord Jeffrey Amherst’s reputation check out : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Amherst

Recently the Boston Foundation released a study on the state of nonprofits in Massachusetts.  While the report  focused on Massachusetts I recommend it as a resource for every nonprofit.  I would suggest that while reading the report you consider four questions.

1. How can outsourcing maximize the organizations assets and resources and lower its costs?
2. How could being part of a cooperative maximize the organizations assets and resources and lower its costs?
3. What is the status of the organizations strategic plan?
4. What succession planning has been completed by the organization?

You may click on link to the report to go to the Boston Foundation web site and download the report.  Please note the report is PDF and is over 100 pages.

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.

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.

There is a tremendous need for affordable housing not only for the community at large but for many of the employees whom wish to work in the nonprofit field.  Nonprofit organizations are constantly looking for affordable space to deliver their programs.  There are several means to utilize both needs to accomplish both.  An organization may choose to use its scale to develop its own  plan.  Some nonprofits will find it beneficial to partner with other nonprofits and/or for-profit entities.

Nonprofits have access to funding sources that for-profits do not.  Therefore, with sufficient planning, design and the right partners nonprofits can make a huge impact in the affordable housing area.   These affordable housing ventures done right can  within five years generate revenues for nonprofits to pay for a level of program costs.

Save your energy.

Use it when you really need it.

Four ways to get around. Walk, bike, horse and trains. I do not have a horse, wish I did.

Save energy save money

Become an educated organization and begin to make changes. As nonprofit organizations you will recoup you costs more quickly than for-profits.

Check out Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and its information on Alternatives to Oil. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternatives_to_oil

Check out this web site on the use of Hemp and all of the products produced from it. http://everything.hemp.com/

Steps to take to lower impact to the environment and lower your costs.

1. Take advantage of video conferencing
2. Buy products on line, in bulk and those that have a lesser impact on the environment and ultimately lower your costs. Look for recycled or local products.
3. Request local businesses carry products that are made of recycled material.
4. Send email instead of mail.
5. Create a web experience for volunteering and delivering some of your services.
6. Raise money to be make changes to be carbon neutral.

There has been a lot of recent action by government officials to identify reasons to limit or terminate the tax exempt status of nonprofit organizations. What public good are you providing? What are you doing to lower the costs that you charge?

IRS Publication 557 is the reference document that a nonprofit organizations should refer to as a reminder of what it takes to be a tax exempt organization.

IRS Form 1023 is the reference document that a nonprofit organization should refer to as a reminder of what the IRS is reviewing to assess a nonprofit’s tax exempt status.

Refer back to your Articles of Organization to remind your nonprofit organization of the reason you were created and obtained your tax exempt status.

Telling a lie is not funny. Taking what is not yours is not funny. If you take someone’s money they would be looking for it. I know if I think I will not get into trouble.

From Papa:

Honesty builds trust. Trust builds respect. Respect builds brand. Brand respresents your nonprofit.  Your Brand is the most important aspect of marketing.  So think before you act.  It just may keep your nonprofit out of trouble.