Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Words of Wisdom from the Girl Scouts


Frances Hesselbein has become an iconic nonprofit leader. From her nearly 20 years of leadership with the "Girl Scouts (13 years as national CEO) to her current position as founding president of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation), Hesselbein has shown herself to be a born leader.

Make learning central to your organization. Hesselbein, when she became national CEO of the Girl Scouts, set out to transform a dated program into a contemporary one to meet the needs of the girls...the customers. But she knew that the Girl Scouts needed to be able to keep changing when necessary. 

To that end, she invested time and money in the training and development of staff and volunteers. As Hesselbein says, "The first item in your budget should be learning, education, and the development of your people."

As a trainer and speaker, I think this is a great philosophy, but in the last four years, I have seen these budgets cut drastically!  

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Conversation Starters and Stoppers!

For those of you who are traveling this season, here are some tips to stop a conversation from our friends at Southwest!

"I can't really talk with anyone until I've had two drinks and I always stop after my first."

"I am sorry, I cannot talk with you - I have given up face-to-face conversation as a personal experiment."  (Sound like some of our younger friends?)

Now here are some starters (think about using some of these to unleash information from someone with whom you are trying to build a relationship).

"If you had to give up one type of communication you use regularly, which would you choose? Why?"

"If you had to move to a different state, where would you go?  Why?"

"What are the longest trips you've ever taken by distance and duration? What was the best part of each?"

Happy traveling to everyone - I hope you enjoy a joyous and wonderful Christmas and a very special New Year!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Let's Have Lunch Together is NOT like a Stereo Manual

Thank you to Samantha Bellows who wrote a fan letter about my book.  She said "It's always hard to read a book about building relationships that reads like a stero manual."

"So much information about how to approach people." Samantha also liked the tips on how to create the relationships. "It was long my opinion that you should form "friendships" almost with people that are important to you professionally to keep a good bond.

She's correct - these "friendships almost" are friendships in the professional realm.  It does not mean making a new friends but rather instilling trust in you by the other person.

Thanks  Samantha.  You know we authors love feedback!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Creating trust, not sales

Recently, I read some advice to salespeople that sounds a lot like the advice I give fundraisers.  So to all my for-profit colleagues here it is:

In nonprofit fund raising, I say chase the relationship not the money.  For salespeople, it's the same. Have an authentic approach and try to solve your customer's problems. 

Take the pressure off the sale (ask for money).

Shift to how you are selling (fund raising) versus what you are selling (the ask).

Now you are on the path to creating a long-lasting relationship and success in sales or fund raising!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Witty book review from Derek Emerson

I'm a little late on social networking but I just discovered a whole bunch of reviews of "Let's Have Lunch Together" on LinkedIn.  

Here's one from a very ambitious project to read a book every week for a year.  Derek Emerson, who says he is another middle aged guy with a great family, old house (in need of repairs I cannot do) and  college administrator with long ago majors in English, Philosophy, and Religion including a Masters in Professional Writing, which is like an English degree with a lot of writing, wrote this last year.
Okay, I fully admit that last week I figured this book would fall into the worst category of my incredibly insightful breakdown of all business books into three categories (see last weeks blog to be reminded of my insight -- in case you forgot). Wrong! Despite the weak title, lousy layout, and large font, this is a book packed with great ideas.

Howard puts it in the context of a novel, but this is no literary masterpiece (nor was this his intent). Instead he puts his ideas in a large case study format and we can see how things would work out. The book is written to help with fund raising, but the focus is on relationships. Howard's refrain is "chase the relationship, not the money."  While this may not seem incredibly insightful, Howard does well to remind us that success comes from our relationships. People truly need to trust us and we need to trust them if we want to move forward.

I went through a day long workshop with Howard last week and it was noted that this methods could also be used by a good con artist. Which of course is true -- con artists know that relationships are essential. But because evil may use it does not make it wrong. We can fall into our cynical selves and give up on treating people as they should be. The difference is motivation and the idea is that strong relationships will bring about good things. But if you build the relationships for monetary or power reasons, the relationship will never be strong because it is built on a weak base (all biblically minded can think stone vs sand here).

Howard's emphasis on relationships makes this work for people in all areas of business. While not a fundraiser myself, it did remind me of how I take for granted some people's support when I should be seeking to find out why support my endeavors to begin with. I have nothing more "to gain" from them, but certainly strengthening those relationships will not only make the business side of things stronger, they may also impact my life. What a concept

Monday, October 11, 2010

Homeless Man - people worse off than me

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE SEARCH FOR HOME

I'm a big fan of NPR and a segment called The Story by Dick Gordon. He interviews one person whose story highlights what's going on in society as a whole.

This story concerned a man who, after 29 years in the printing business, found himself homeless. However, he could stay in touch with people through his laptop and his blog.

What struck me in the story was the part about him winning tickets for a Twins game. He had to panhandle for gas to get there - the most humiliating thing he said he had ever done. The Twins and going to their games were a big part of the life he had lived before.  However, he left the game early to talk to other homeless people he knew who were living nearby.

Although he only had $16, he gave it all to one man. As he said, "there is always someone who has it worse than me."

That's what struck me - his generosity in his situation. If you want to listen to this fascinating conversation, click below.

For the past couple of weeks we’ve been running a series of stories called At Home. As a part of the series, we’re exploring how people are finding a place to live in the midst of a difficult housing market. Three years ago, Chris Jenks had a job, a house, three cars and a year's worth of savings. Today, he is homeless. But Chris is finding a new community through his blog and a Twitter account. First written anonymously as “Twin Cities White Collar Man Walking,” Chris thought by sharing his experiences he would gather a few followers. Little did he know that it would provide him with community and even a room to call his own.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Board member finds connecting easy!

Recently, I spent a half day training staff and board members in the Midwest on how to build relationships within the staff and with outside supporters. I asked them to make a "coffee date" with someone and report back. Here's what one board member wrote to the Senior Vice President of Association Advancement . . .

Thank you so much for inviting me to the "go beyond hello" in-service on Wed. It was very informative. Michael and I set a time to get together. I called him to set up a destination and through the process of exploring where to meet for coffee, we discovered we both like the pumpkin late at Starbucks. So, that was a no brainier. Starbucks it was!

We met Thursday morning and spent about 45 min talking about each other (no shop). We talked about family, kids, where we grew up, college, career path and much more. It went easier than I thought. I felt it was nice we had the pumpkin late as a common interest right from the start, it gave us a place to begin our conversation. Happens he used to live in Seattle.

This was a great exercise. I left feeling the invitation for someone to join you for coffee and starting a relationship isn't as hard as you think. Just finding out about some one else and talking about yourself takes the pressure off your (giving them the mission speech or the car manual... so to speak).

I can see how a relationship with trust over time would progress to a more comfortable position asking for help or money...thanks again and have a great weekend.

Board Member

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Hyundai Lessons - Part 2

In order to move up to the luxury car buyer, it has taken Hyundai several steps starting in 1998. They had a quality problem and faced that by offering one of the best warranty programs in the industry and then re-engineering their components to back up this warranty. They didn't just make a simple upgrade; they looked at virtually every component and redesigned the failing ones and then used that experience to improve the cars under development!

The 2009 recession caused it to add a loss-protection program; allowing buyers who lost their jobs to return the cars.

"To get people to buy your car you have to get people to trust you," Hyundai CEO John Krafcik said. "We want people to think, 'Hyundai — they just take care of you.' "

These moves have paid off and the market share is up!

What can we learn? First, if we want to reach the major donor, we may have to examine every element in our all of our fund-raising programs and implement agency-wide changes. When I talk to clients about relationship-centered development, that's what we do. No matter the appeal or the event, we make sure that connecting with those donors is a key ingredient.

Second, you have to establish trust - trust in you as the fundraiser. That's just as important as a passion for the mission. You have to connect with the donor on a personal level, follow-up on all of the promises you make and finally, just like Hyundai, continue to take care of them long after the sale!

What can we learn from Hyundai - Part 1

Recently Hyundai announced it was going after the luxury car driver (major gift giver, to us) with its new Equus.

However, it is facing hurdles that are familiar to fundraisers - the experience. Hyundai is not moving this brand into a separate dealership with specially trained sales and service people who know how to appeal to wealthy customers like Lexus and other Asian spinoffs did. According to one automotive consultant, "True luxury buyers expect more than product. They expect a luxury sales and service experience and there is no way to do that through Hyundai dealers," he said.

Hyundai's solution? They dispatch a car to the customer for a test drive and offer valet-style service; the customer never has to come to Hyundai.

In my experience, our top-level donors also expect more of an experience with us and our agency. Our job is to figure out what the "win" is for them; what motivates them and then deliver it. Creating activities and social interaction for them with the agency and other donors is the challenge.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Wayne Olson's words of advice

When I was in Orlando recently, I met Wayne Olson, a colleague with whom I enjoy discussing fund raising and relationships.

Wayne is now the Director, Development at Give Kids the World, a non-profit resort that offers children with life threatening illnesses vacations in Orlando, Florida. Wayne is a terrific writer and wrote an engaging book "THINK Like A Donor."

Here's my summation of one of his chapters: Reward Donors and They Will Reward You

Humans do not do what we are told . . .we do what we are reward for doing.
When donors feel appreciated they will return to us again and again. Always look for the reward; it can be a small gift, lunch together or a note.

We talk about "delivering wins." First, find out what the donor think is a win and then, like Wayne says, continue to give rewards.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Relationship building is good for your health

We know that connecting with someone on an emotional level feels good, but here's another article that says its good for health with all ages!


It's pretty clear that eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking and not drinking to excess are factors linked to longevity. Perhaps the most ignored but potentially powerful strategy, however, is being a social butterfly.


In a study published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Medicine, researchers found that having social connections -- including family, friends and colleagues -- improved the odds of survival by 50%. They authors of the study described the impact of having a dearth of social contacts as comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of its effect on longevity. Or, to put it another way, it's equivalent to being an alcoholic; is more harmful than not exercising and is twice as harmful as obesity. The researchers, from Brigham Young University, analyzed data from 148 previously published studies on old age and social interactions to reach their conclusions.

It's difficult to say why relationships matter so much to human health. It could be that people who are connected to others take better care of themselves, take fewer risks or find more meaning to their lives.


"We take relationships for granted as humans -- we're like fish that don't notice the water," a coauthor of the paper, Timothy Smith, said in a news release. "That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health."

The effect isn't just limited to social connections in old age, the authors said. Relationships seem to improve health among all age groups.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Smart Marriages Conference, Orlando FL

I recently gave my first co-hosted keynote! Julie Baumgardner of First Things First in Chattanooga (dedicated to strengthening families through education, collaboration and mobilization) and I were the Huntley and Brinkley of this annual conference.

While everyone else talked about marriage, families, teens, divorce, etc. Julie and I talked about sustainability and growth for the agencies like hers, that are facing diminishing federal and state funding. While the marriage and family therapists told me that their private practices were bringing in more clients than they could handle, the nonprofit organizations were telling me they were facing cuts of up to 40%.

There are many community and state-wide initiatives doing very valuable preventive care for everyone in our communities. Some are using fee-for-service programs while others are scrambling for grants to replace the government funding.

Some, like Julie, are looking ahead to the future and building their base of support now. Julie and I are working on a Partnership Council for her agency and our first step, a Board program resulted in 259 warm leads from her Board members!

For many nonprofits, this is truly a wake up call! For the first time, they will have to learn to reach out and connect with people who can insure their mission will be preserved.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Interviewing for a Job

Thanks to Marie for trying some of the techniques I taught at Women at Work in Pasadena. I'll keep you informed to see when she gets a job! Here's what she wrote me:

I was in your class at Women at Work. I was the one whose family recovered a painting that was stolen in Germany in the 1930

Anyway, I had an interview the next day, and I decided to try a few of your techniques. I haven't heard if I've been invited for round two yet, but I think the session went pretty well.

What I came away with from your talk was that I should put a little bit more of 'me' in my interview. So, I decided to be more open about sharing my personal life and tried to ask more questions about the interviewer in order to make a connection. I was tempted to see if we could both attend the wine tasting that was occurring at the interview site, but it was unfortunately over. However, even at the door, I was able to make a final connection with her with a small Virginia town in which her father and my grandfather lived.

The ultimate goal is always A JOB, but I do feel more comfortable about making progress for improving my interviewing skills. Wish me luck.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Good news . . . Bad news

Nonprofits Not Out of the Woods Yet

From Joanne Fritz, your Guide to Nonprofit Charitable Orgs
Friday May 21, 2010

The good news from the 2010 Fenton Forecast: Leadership and Effectiveness Among Nonprofits* is that 80% of the respondents to this annual survey have a positive view of the performance of nonprofit organizations.

The bad news is that nearly two-thirds of survey respondents report they plan to either reduce their giving or keep it the same as last year. This is on top of already reduced giving levels for 2008 and 2009.

Donors seems to be quite cautious about their charitable giving for the moment and into the near future. Giving will decrease or remain static for 2010, even among those with higher incomes.

Among those donors who plan to decrease giving, 56% say they will cut their donations by 23% or more. Even older Americans, ages 50 and older, intend to reduce their giving the most.

Roger Craver, founder of DonorTrends, and chief blogger of The Agitator, said during these difficult times, we should focus our resources on our organization's "missionaries," "loyalists," and "lapsed donors."

I agree - it's always better to go to someone who has or had a tie to your organization. Just as in business, it's less expensive to retain donors that to recruit entirely new ones!



Friday, May 21, 2010

How to Land a Job

Thanks to Robin McCarthy and the staff at Women at Work in Pasadena CA for inviting me to join them and discuss how to go beyond your resume and truly connect with the employer and make a powerful personal impression.


For 30 years Women At Work has provided career services to help over 100,000 women and men from all backgrounds. With long-standing employer relations, the center's Resource Room offers thousands of job leads. Through individualized career counseling sessions, workshops, and classes, Women At Work empowers the unemployed and under-employed to make smart career choices that will impact their lives and ultimately, the community as a whole.

I enjoyed talking to (mostly) women and some men about how to portray the unique part of their personalities to make an impact and to show the employer that they would fit into the culture of the organization. We had quite an age range - from late 20's to a women who was 70! We discussed how to do this in person and on the phone!

Their motto: "From Blueberries (pies) to Blackberries (cell phone)!" I hope to hear that some of my participants are able to land a job very soon.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Network executive is a champ at relationships

Since I came from the entertainment business (a lawyer working for CBS way back), I can appreciate how relationships run that industry. Recently an article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted a little-known executive, Bridget Baker from NBC Universal.

For 21 years, she has has negotiated with cable and satellite operators for distribution deals.

In the early years, it was tough because the cable operators hated the broadcasters. However, she launched CNBC and later, MSNBC. Now that Comcast and NBC have merged, she has to convince Comcast's direct competitors, satellite and telephone companies that offer tv service that she will not favor NBC's new bosses at their expense.

One of her former bosses said, "She's a relationship builder like no other. She has great people skills. . ." She has been called Lucille Ball in an Hermes scarf which hides her hard-nosed negotiator persona.

Another boss called her "not a traditional business-speak person but more colorful, more personable, more engaging. She has a style that's unique."

That's what I always advise - make yourself memorable. Think of something that sets yourself apart and offer it up in your interactions with others.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Here's a great example of a high-end "giving circle" and a new model for female donor power.

Everychild Celebrates 10th Year with Another $1 Million Grant

By Michael Aushenker, Staff Writer

2010-05-06
The Pacific Palisades-based Everychild Foundation commemorated its 10th anniversary on April 29 by awarding $1 million to the South Bay Center for Counseling's Career Pathway Program, a jobs program that will serve 300 at-risk youth in Los Angeles.'

'Our event [at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel] was a wonderful convening of members, spouses, and our grantees to celebrate all that we have accomplished in the last decade,' founder Jacqueline Caster told the Palisadian-Post. 'We were thrilled to be joined by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other city and county officials, who acknowledged the impact we have had with $8 million in grants that have served over 350,000 children in Los Angeles.'

In addition to the Palisades, the Foundation's membership is comprised of 225 prominent women from Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, the South Bay and San Fernando Valley.

Each woman donates $5,000 in annual dues in lieu of putting on fundraising events, and the group votes on which nonprofit organization to support with a $1-million grant each spring.

It all began in 1999 when Caster recruited 56 women, including her Highlands neighbors, Cynthia Alexander and Debra Colbert, to join her unique humanitarian project. Their first grant of $230,000 was awarded to QueensCare to help outfit a new mobile dental clinic serving students in low-income elementary schools within LAUSD.

Every year since, Everychild has invited roughly 30 to 50 nonprofit organizations to apply for its single annual grant. The women devote their energies, intellect, education, talents and professional skills toward the rigorous grant-selection process, vetting each proposal and then voting on the ultimate winner: a nonprofit that serves children and has proposed a new, innovative 'dream' project that can inspire replication, thus leveraging the dollars for maximum impact.

The foundation's philanthropic model has created a new prototype for leveraged giving, among women and beyond, both in the U.S. and abroad. To date, the organization has directly inspired multiple spin-off groups: four in Los Angeles (with three currently forming), two in Santa Barbara, one in Las Vegas, one in New York City and two in London.

For more details, visit everychildfoundation.org.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Another blog mention from Jon Carole

Thanks Jon Carole - I missed her blog from March 22

Thankful for the Blessings We Have!


"I am reading a fascinating book. Last week I went to a 4 hour seminar called, "Let's Have Lunch Together" and that is the name of the book. It can literally change your approach to life - whether it is fund raising, asking for business - or approaching someone about their spiritual life.

The seminar was focused on fund raising for non-profits - but the principals would work the same on every facet of life. Although it is a secular book - the principals are principals that the Bible teaches -- "get to know your brother!" It is about relationships - not friendships) and how you can build them.

The author of the book and the speaker is Marshall Howard. I am hoping to put many of these ideas into action - and as Chairman of the Red Cross this coming year - I am thinking it will make a tremendous difference! I just wish I had heard this man years ago! "

Thanks so much for recognizing that these principals transcend so many parts of your life.

Click here to see her thoughts and original food ideas

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Great party (and fundraiser)


Linda Wah, a board member for Women at Work, Pasadena, CA invited a few of her friends for her 60th! She send a cute Evite and about 160 people said yes. She asked for donations to her favorite nonprofit instead of presents.

Linda showed everyone a good time. She had the famous Korean BBQ (taco-style) KOGI gourmet truck in front of her house, mango sponge birthday cake and my personal favorite; a unique ice cream sandwich booth. You picked your cookies from an assortment of homemade flavors and then picked your ice cream (my favorite was caramel with sea salt) and they made the sandwich for you. Don't ask how many I ate!

The Women at Work president and Board Members made lots of friends and the guests were able to read a lot about the organization throughout the party.

Thanks for a great party, Linda and for raising $4,000 with your generous friends and family.


For more party scenes, click here.

Reader story (plus great recipes)

You know how I like to connect with my readers. I got a delightful email from Jon Carole Gilbreath in Tyler TX. As a Chairman Elect of the Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross, she attended my recent workshop there for United Way.

She has a fascinating blog about cooking (and life) and was kind enough to include the following mention. When you finished her blog, read "the rest of the story."

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
TAKE TIME TO LOOK AROUND, BE KIND AND OFFER A HELPING HAND
Long day and evening! Our Red Cross Board meeting was tonight at 6 p.m., and lasted over the normal hour - lots of good discussion and ideas! Another single family fire this afternoon! Still taking military calls - just hope they don't last until after 11 p.m. tonight. I am totally exhausted!

I was telling you about the book I am reading "Let's Have Lunch Together" and it is fascinating. It is about building relationships - and how to do that is to get to know a person - not try to be friends but get to know them and let them know you until there is a trust and respect for one another.

The idea to ask personal questions is something I used to admire and marvel at in a friend of ours. Jack would meet a complete stranger and before he left - he most likely knew what they did for a living, how many kids they had - and possibly how much money they made doing whatever they did. I was amazed that people would answer him -- but he knew the principal of building relationships! Still amazing - but I am trying to learn!

She has learned quite a lot!
As Chairman Elect, she is reaching out to her fellow board members. She called one person who was not very active and, as she said, "made a visit." Because they connected, this board member attended the next meeting and is much more willing to participate.

Click here to go to the blog and happy cooking!

I will be back in Tyler, Friday, May 21, for a joint United Way / Chamber of Commerce workshop, "The Key to Success. Click here for more information

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Great Fundraising Story

Recently, I went to a breakfast with donors who have left planned gifts to the sponsoring organization. One of the planned giving officers told us about his early years with the nonprofit:

About 40 years ago, when I was in my 20's my first assignment was to visit the railroad president. He was a supporter but we hadn't heard from him for a while.

So I made an appointment and stopped by. I've been in impressive offices but this was overwhelming. His walls were filled with the heads of big game he had shot all over the world.

I looked around and decided to start a conversation about the biggest one. He told me all about where he went and how the hunt was conducted.

The next month I went in to visit him and we chatted about another trophy. This went on for a few months. Then we opened the paper one day and found out he died. My boss said, 'Well, I guess we'll see how you did and what was left to us."

We were given all the trophies. The moral of the story is to be sure to make an ask!

I agree! You will need to be specific and when you get to know someone well enough, you will know exactly what to ask for. Or you will be lucky enough to be the recipient of the "pressure-free ask" and your prospect will ask, "How can I help you?"

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Finally, a big company agrees with me . . .

I always say that cars are sold on emotion - the smell, the feel, the style - it's all there to entice you. It's not appealing to your rational brain!

For those of you who have been to one of my speeches or workshops, I do an interactive exercise with the audience around buying cars.

The new BMW commercial says " It's what you make people feel that's as important as what you build!"

My sentiments exactly.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Media Tip from a Pro

A pr whiz from Chicago, Tom Ciesielka, offers this media tip which follows my advice to spend time with people on their agenda!

Here's his comment:

About 99 percent of the time, we are asking reporters for things we want. What do you think would happen if we asked reporters what they want? GASP! The end of the world?! No. More often than not, I've found that reporters will appreciate your interest in knowing exactly the topics they are writing about and sources they are looking for. It helps you find the right fit and makes the reporter happy, for at least a little while. If it doesn't make them happy, I hear reporters like Ferraris.

Reply to Tom Ciesielka at tc@tcpr.net or check him out at http://www.tcpr.net/index.php

Thanks Tom, I think this is invaluable because it changes the typical mindset!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Relationships over resumes

In the last year, I've been coaching my out-of-work friends, relatives and clients on how to make the best impression during their interviews.

My advice is simple: connect, connect, connect
. People hire someone, not just because they have a good skill set, but on the strength of the way they feel the person will fit into the organization and onto the team.

One of my friends is an accountant. He wanted to tell prospective employers that he was a hard worker, had experience in taking companies public, etc. That was evident from his past jobs; laid out on his resume. He had to connect with the CEO who was interviewing for a new CFO. I coached him on how to uncover the CEO's hobbies, interests, values and then match them up with his. After a few hours, he got the concept and landed the job.

You see, the advice to connect is simple but the execution is not. The underlying tenet is that "emotion motivates and information justifies."

By the way, the title of this blog was taken from am interview in the Los Angeles Times with Jason Reitman Oscar-nominated director of "Up in the Air." He said, "I want a shorthand. I believe in relationships over resume. . .Things are going to get tough . . .and you have to question who you want to be standing next to when they do.

Sounds like a concept that applies to almost anything!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Taking Away Silos

Last week, I was listening to NPR and I heard an Washington politician talk about the old days. He said that elected officials would hang out at night in some of DC's famous watering holes, have dinner together and on the weekends, they would go to parties together.

Not now! They leave town every weekend and, during the week, they stay in their own camps. The result? A very polarized Senate and House. Our representatives do not get to know each other on a personal, casual basis. Without that relationship, they can't cross party and policy lines to work together.

A similar story was told to me recently by a Board member. She said her Board members rarely saw each other or the staff outside the board meetings. In addition, the meetings were so tightly organized that people didn't even have much of an exchange at the meeting!

I suggested that they have a potluck barbecue at someone's house so they could all get to know each other better, as people. That would make working together smoother and a lot more fun!

Anyone for a big barbecue in DC?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

MH&A and COMMUNITY ACTION

It was one of the moments of "kismet." For years, Tim Reese, a very forward-thinking association executive, head of California/Nevada Community Action Partnership /The State CAA Association and I have been friends. We visit each other and talk about the world and personal issues in general and tried to work together a few times.

Nothing seemed to click until he was watching a wecast about the recovery funds and said, "I'd like to do something like this to tell the world what we are doing."

Say no more. . . our agency joined him to outline how we could use the power of the web to tell emotionally engaging stories.

As I travel the country, I find most nonprofits do not know about their local Community Action agency. These are very dynamic agencies and great partners with other nonprofits in their town.

Here's a recent news bulletin about this project:


FULFILLING THE PROMISE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM – 25 AGENCIES PARTICIPATING

Thanks to the leadership of Tim Reese and Biz Steinberg, Cal/Neva’s “first of its kind” education and outreach campaign, to show how Community Action Agencies are fulfilling the promise of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is flourishing.

Tim saw the importance of telling the American public how Community Action is using ARRA funds to help people back to work, help those low-income and vulnerable people, and help families and children cope with and survive during our economic downturn. Cal/Neva, in partnership with colleagues at Marshall Howard and Associates, specifically Mike James MHA’s Vice President of Program Development, has produced numerous video spots showing ARRA dollars at work, providing jobs, training, and essential services. See the Fulfilling The Promise work to date by visiting www.fulfillingthepromise-us.org

More than 20 Cal/Neva agencies currently participate in the exciting Fulfilling the Promise Educational and Outreach Project. As part of the participation package, at all three levels, the logo, depicting a butterfly representing hope, transformation and renewal, created under the direction of Trever Barker of T-Dogg Studios, www.tdoggstudios.com is available for use.

Last September, Tim Reese, Mike James, Marshall Howard, and Richard Lemire presented an overview of the “Fulfilling The Promise” project at the Philadelphia National CAP Conference, garnering significant interest and enthusiasm at a national level.