Great New Idea

I love learning from my students! One of the astute participants in the Ventura County Community Foundation workshop a few weeks ago sent me this tip:

"At the next Board meeting, I want everyone to get know each other better.

I want to learn personal information that is not readily apparent. I'm going to ask them to put a an interest of theirs under their name (instead of the business). For instance, under my name, instead of Executive Director, I would write Gardener. Thanks Marshall for inspiring us to get to know others in a different way!"

I think this is a great idea and will lead to a lot of interesting discussions on a personal level among her Board members.

American Humanics at Pepperdine

There is a great program preparing college students for nonprofit management - American Humanics. I have worked with a number of their chapters around the country and love interacting with our future leaders. Next week, I am returning to Pepperdine University here in Malibu as part of their Nonprofit Leadership Program.

This is an extended version of what used to be called the American Humanics Scholars at Pepperdine. The program encompasses a minor in nonprofit management, an American Humanics Scholars certificate in nonprofit management, a Nonprofit Summer Institute, the Nonprofit Professional Education Project, internships, and the speaker series.

http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/events/2009/october/marshall-howard.htm

I find the students as eager for relationship-building techniques as fundraising professionals - perhaps even more so, since this is a crucial skill to securing a job.

I will be interviewed on a podcast as well and will post the link here next week for everyone to listen!