Since I left consulting to go into training, I've met a lot of great people, heard a lot of great stories and enjoyed my travels. But I miss the one thing I had with ongoing clients - the thrill of watching them connect with people and meet their goals.
Last week, I had two terrific stories that gave me a lot of satisfaction. I taught a three-part Master's Series taking participants through basic relationship-building to establishing a Partnership Council.
One Executive Director told me about meeting a Board Member to discuss paying the yearly dues. However, by focusing on connecting and they found they had many connections in common. She offered to help his ill son . . .and also procured a $60,000 donation to the organization!
In another agency, I coached the ED, development director and board through three trainings and now they are well on their way to establishing a Council. The board members have fully embraced going out in the community and connecting. One of them said to me, "This process has been fun. I can grow as a "human being" and can help others grow too!
In the next few weeks we will have these stories on our website as case histories. Like all teachers which I was in the 60's and am now, we like to know that we have value and impact on others' lives!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
I've been everywhere. . .
I feel like that hotel commercial that says "I've been everywhere man!" In the last few weeks, I've traveled to Santa Rosa and Riverside CA; Nashville; Montgomery, Mobile and Birmingham Alabama, Abilene, Dallas and Austin Texas!
Usually I come zooming in on a plane, have dinner with my hosts, deliver the training, speech or board retreat and leave that night or early the next morning. Some days I wonder if I know where I am.
I had a break in my schedule in Montgomery and a great lady, Lydia Pickett, Director - Montgomery Area Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama decided I needed to see historic Montgomery.
I had a fascinating tour of Civil War and Civil Rights History including: the Confederate White House; the striking black granite Civil Rights Memorial which honors those who lost their lives during the Civil Rights Movement and The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage, the church where Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. pastored from 1954-1960 and began his quest for civil rights. I met a wonderful gentleman, the current pastor, Rev. Michael F. Thurman. What a legacy to uphold! He was so surprised when he took over that he still found personal items from Rev. King in the drawers. The pews are the same that were there when the church was built and during Rev. King's time.
I am a history buff and a lot of this happened in my lifetime. I think it's very gratifying to see how far we have come from a Confederate White House to a black president in the White House.
It's also a great salute to Southern hospitality that this busy lady would take the time to be sure I wasn't lonely during my time off. She was a great tour guide and I have a new appreciation for this historic town.
Usually I come zooming in on a plane, have dinner with my hosts, deliver the training, speech or board retreat and leave that night or early the next morning. Some days I wonder if I know where I am.
I had a break in my schedule in Montgomery and a great lady, Lydia Pickett, Director - Montgomery Area Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama decided I needed to see historic Montgomery.
I had a fascinating tour of Civil War and Civil Rights History including: the Confederate White House; the striking black granite Civil Rights Memorial which honors those who lost their lives during the Civil Rights Movement and The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church & Parsonage, the church where Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. pastored from 1954-1960 and began his quest for civil rights. I met a wonderful gentleman, the current pastor, Rev. Michael F. Thurman. What a legacy to uphold! He was so surprised when he took over that he still found personal items from Rev. King in the drawers. The pews are the same that were there when the church was built and during Rev. King's time.
I am a history buff and a lot of this happened in my lifetime. I think it's very gratifying to see how far we have come from a Confederate White House to a black president in the White House.
It's also a great salute to Southern hospitality that this busy lady would take the time to be sure I wasn't lonely during my time off. She was a great tour guide and I have a new appreciation for this historic town.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Make-A-Wish Conference
I just came back from a great time in Nashville at Make-A-Wish Foundation's Mid-Year Leadership Council and 3rd Quarter Board Meetings plus Wish and Development, Marketing & Communications Combined Conference.
As you can imagine there was a lot going on during the week-long event. I conducted a workshop on relationship-building and a second one on “More Eventful Events; Turn Event Supporters into Major Donors.” I stayed an extra day, visited other sessions and talked to lots of people in the hallways and answered questions.
I also toured old Nashville with the group – it was a cross between Key West and New Orleans with lots of bars and lots of music! I felt like part of the Make-A-Wish family.
It struck me how Make-A-Wish volunteers and staff were very open to new ideas and challenging the old ways. This was a big part of the conference. Was this is part of their culture and/or a reaction to the times? The participants included national and local chapter executives, program staff, development staff and national and local board members.
For Make-A-Wish, everyone has a role in establishing relationships. I thought it was interesting that the program staff have a lot of relationship-building responsibility. They need these connections in order to make wishes happen through a wide range of venues including airlines, hotels, celebrities, their agents and families, etc.
Many chapters talked about how to get off the event “Tee” and within the events, use them as a platform for major and planned gifts and relationship-centered development. Once they refocused what the event was for, one chapter quadrupled its revenue over six years.
Some of their crucial conversations focused around: How do you change your event focus? How do you diversify your fundraising portfolio? How do you create a relationship-centered process when third-parties hold the event and raise the money for you? How do you return to lead donors via board members and to get the board to “hug” these donors?
One of their major donors and a national board member attended my workshops. She told me later; “I thought I knew the other board members and major donors, but after doing the exercises in your workshop, I wonder how much I really know about them. That was an eye-opener!”
My thanks to Elizabeth for bringing me into her family!
As you can imagine there was a lot going on during the week-long event. I conducted a workshop on relationship-building and a second one on “More Eventful Events; Turn Event Supporters into Major Donors.” I stayed an extra day, visited other sessions and talked to lots of people in the hallways and answered questions.
I also toured old Nashville with the group – it was a cross between Key West and New Orleans with lots of bars and lots of music! I felt like part of the Make-A-Wish family.
It struck me how Make-A-Wish volunteers and staff were very open to new ideas and challenging the old ways. This was a big part of the conference. Was this is part of their culture and/or a reaction to the times? The participants included national and local chapter executives, program staff, development staff and national and local board members.
For Make-A-Wish, everyone has a role in establishing relationships. I thought it was interesting that the program staff have a lot of relationship-building responsibility. They need these connections in order to make wishes happen through a wide range of venues including airlines, hotels, celebrities, their agents and families, etc.
Many chapters talked about how to get off the event “Tee” and within the events, use them as a platform for major and planned gifts and relationship-centered development. Once they refocused what the event was for, one chapter quadrupled its revenue over six years.
Some of their crucial conversations focused around: How do you change your event focus? How do you diversify your fundraising portfolio? How do you create a relationship-centered process when third-parties hold the event and raise the money for you? How do you return to lead donors via board members and to get the board to “hug” these donors?
One of their major donors and a national board member attended my workshops. She told me later; “I thought I knew the other board members and major donors, but after doing the exercises in your workshop, I wonder how much I really know about them. That was an eye-opener!”
My thanks to Elizabeth for bringing me into her family!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama Summit.
Thanks to Molly McGregor, President/CEO of the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama (NRCA), I was invited to Birmingham for the 2009 “Extreme Makeover . . . Nonprofit Summit.”
This year, 260 people attended 21 breakouts over two days. Susan Sullivan, Associate Director, told me that since they kept their costs down, “we did well overall.”
Susan was a great hostess and took me to one of the best barbecue restaurants ever – great catfish!
While I was there, I attended other sessions and talked to people about what’s happening in Alabama. Susan said that the current mood in her state has gotten a little more optimistic.
However, her feeling is that many nonprofits will still need an “Extreme Makeover.”
“We are going to need better relationships and a better understanding of all the people we work with on a regular basis – beyond the business, including our own teams. We need better relationships in all of our collaborations,” she told me.
“We can’t just make cuts but need to be leaner and smarter about our operations. Now we have to be hands-on with our budgets and ask where is the revenue coming from and what are we spending it on? ,” Susan said.
Here’s a trend people are discussing in Alabama and beyond - agencies merging or collaborating with others that deliver similar services and programs. That was one of the topics at the Summit and recently at a separate NRCA workshop.
“Many nonprofits know this will be their future but they aren’t willing to talk about it yet. We are putting into practice the process you talked about by holding roundtables for people who deliver the same services. They have to get to know each other and trust each other before they can collaborate,” Susan said.
“I think the pressure to merge is going to come from funders such as the United Way and community foundations. To win grants, agencies will now have to prove they are different than others in their area. There will also be more emphasis on their outcomes both for private and government money!” Susan concluded.
I look forward to more of these conversations with Susan, Molly and other Alabama nonprofits when I return for three workshops May 18 (Mobile), May 20 (Birmingham) and May 22 (Huntsville).
This year, 260 people attended 21 breakouts over two days. Susan Sullivan, Associate Director, told me that since they kept their costs down, “we did well overall.”
Susan was a great hostess and took me to one of the best barbecue restaurants ever – great catfish!
While I was there, I attended other sessions and talked to people about what’s happening in Alabama. Susan said that the current mood in her state has gotten a little more optimistic.
However, her feeling is that many nonprofits will still need an “Extreme Makeover.”
“We are going to need better relationships and a better understanding of all the people we work with on a regular basis – beyond the business, including our own teams. We need better relationships in all of our collaborations,” she told me.
“We can’t just make cuts but need to be leaner and smarter about our operations. Now we have to be hands-on with our budgets and ask where is the revenue coming from and what are we spending it on? ,” Susan said.
Here’s a trend people are discussing in Alabama and beyond - agencies merging or collaborating with others that deliver similar services and programs. That was one of the topics at the Summit and recently at a separate NRCA workshop.
“Many nonprofits know this will be their future but they aren’t willing to talk about it yet. We are putting into practice the process you talked about by holding roundtables for people who deliver the same services. They have to get to know each other and trust each other before they can collaborate,” Susan said.
“I think the pressure to merge is going to come from funders such as the United Way and community foundations. To win grants, agencies will now have to prove they are different than others in their area. There will also be more emphasis on their outcomes both for private and government money!” Susan concluded.
I look forward to more of these conversations with Susan, Molly and other Alabama nonprofits when I return for three workshops May 18 (Mobile), May 20 (Birmingham) and May 22 (Huntsville).
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A TIME TO REFLECT
Asking a question good enough to ignite meaningful conversation is no easy task. Some professional questioners gave some very stimulating ways to move a discussion forward. These are great observations on having any conversation.
Larry Mantle, Host of “AirTalk,” weekdays 10 a.m.-noon on 89.3 FM KPCC:
What in your life touches you most? To what are you most emotionally open, and why? To what are you most closed?
“I think the answers to these questions say a great deal about a person…. I think one of the problems we have is an increasing unwillingness by many people to listen to people where they have a disagreement. It’s really important for all of us to analyze where we are closed. What are the things we won’t bother with, or are threatened by hearing? Life is so much more interesting, so much more dynamic when we expose ourselves to things outside of our bubbles.”
Krista Tippett, who produces and hosts “Speaking of Faith,” an American Public Media weekly radio show that airs in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoons on 89.3 FM KPCC.
“If I’m interviewing somebody, I really want to know what they have to say, and I want them to say it in the most articulate and compelling way. My role is not to sound tough, but to invite that,” said Tippett.
“So much of what passes for conversation or questioning in our public life actually shuts down what people might have to say. It puts them on the defensive and limits discussion,” she said.
Tippett engages in long conversations with her guests, following their lead as the discussion progresses.
“It’s a discipline, but a very rewarding discipline, to let yourself be guided by what answers come out. And it’s also a little scary, because you lose control,” Tippett said. “But that can be the amazing thing about conversation. There are things you can put into words in the presence of other people or in response to a question that you didn’t know you thought before.”
“The main thing in a conversation is curiosity and follow up. You have to have curiosity about the person you are talking to. Nobody likes anything more than talking about themselves. People love that, and they’re interested to say what they think. If you are interested to hear what they have to say, you’re already on second base. And the follow up requires listening — listening, listening, listening is probably the most important part.”I hope each one of you can take something from each of our professional conversationalists and use it in your own conversations - no matter who you are talking to!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
PARTNERING IN TOUGH TIMES
Thanks to John Lockhart at People Media in Los Angeles for this information on his client's donation. Look around your area - can you come up with some ideas to partner for mutual benefit?
Roadrunner Shuttle & Limousine Service Launches Community Engagement Campaign
Roadrunner Shuttle & Limousine Service Launches Community Engagement Campaign
Their shuttles plying the local freeways are familiar sights. But few Southern Californians know that Roadrunner has over 200 employees and is Ventura County's leading transportation provider, offering limo, bus and town car service in addition to its familiar shuttle vans. People Media has teamed with Roadrunner to offer wine tours at St. John's Seminary, and after school transportation to sporting events and practices for local students with its Playing After School Sports (PASS)™ program.Roadrunner will also offer use of a Roadrunner Shuttle for a few hours FREE per year to local non profits as they take board members and donors out on "field trips" to see their donor dollars in action. To be eligible for the free ride non profit organizations should FAX their 501c3 IRS letter to Roadrunner at (805) 389-8198.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Great Lessons for Life
I don't usually read emails that my many friends and relatives send to everyone in the universe, but I was waiting for a document to print and glanced at this one. It's got a lot of great advice and will make you smile. I don't know where this came from originally but here's credit and thanks to Uncle Marvin!
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful..
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Forward this to everyone you care about.
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful..
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Forward this to everyone you care about.
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