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INSPIRATIONAL TRAINING
Articles, Videos, Podcasts
Keep up with the latest trends with practical and inspirational content about topics like leadership, fundraising, organizational development, board engagement, governance, capacity building, and much, much more. You'll also find content about how to find and work with the best nonprofit board retreat/training facilitator, or the best strategic planning facilitator so your day is a resounding success.
For the podcasts, use your favorite podcast player and search for the title names.
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Authentic Passion - Work and Service
Learn how to turn "lip service" passion into "authentic passion" at your nonprofit in order to create a "Get it Done!" do something, I'm in, culture. Specifically, learn about how to turn the "idea" of work and service, into a culture of work and service. It's time to create a work matrix to accomplish the work of the organization and the board. And to create an systems of accountability and praise.
How to Find and Hire the Best Board Retreat Facilitator – a 9-Point Checklist . . .
Tips for finding and hiring the best board retreat facilitator - Your 9-point checklist!
How to Find and Hire the Best Strategic Planning Facilitator – a 9-Point Checklist
Have you ever sat through a strategic planning session and spent most of the time watching the clock, daydreaming, and checking texts? Did the facilitator waste most of the day wordsmithing your mission statement and conducting SWOT analysis? Were they unengaging? Did the sessions that fall far short of your expectations? Did the resulting plan collect dust in a file because it was never seen again? Did the outcomes of the day grow stale and ultimately have little impact on y
Have a Clear Purpose!
Learn how to turn "lip service" passion into "authentic passion" at your nonprofit in order to create a "Get it Done!" do something, I'm in, culture. Specifically, this video covers the tactic of defining a clear sense of purpose through a nonprofit's mission and vision statements, and statement of purpose.
Authentic Passion - Do Something!
Welcome to First Things First: Boot Camp — A Leadership Guide to Building a Gold-Standard Nonprofit.Today is Day Six, and we’re continuing our deep dive into Authentic Passion, the series we kicked off on Day Five. Yesterday, we explored the difference between lip-service passion and authentic passion—and why people need to talk less and do more if they truly care about a mission.
In today’s post, we examine the first tactic required to build a DO SOMETHING culture inside yo
Bring on "A" Players!
Authentic PassionBring on "A" Players!
Yesterday we wrapped up our discussion on quality people—why hiring, developing, and retaining the highest-caliber individuals is essential to your nonprofit’s success.
Today, we’re shifting gears and diving into what “passion” really means inside a nonprofit… and why so much of what people call passion isn’t passion at all.
Retain Your "A" Players
Today is Day Four, and we’re shifting from bringing on high-quality people to retaining them. Yesterday, we talked about creating filters to attract and recruit A-players—staff, board members, and volunteers.Today’s focus: How to keep those A-players once you’ve got them.
People are the most precious commodity in any nonprofit. Without them, you can’t deliver programs, raise money, or fulfill your mission.
So let’s talk about how to keep your best people engaged, motivat
Tactics for Bringing on High-Quality Staff and Board Members
Today, we dive deeper into the tactics you can use to bring on AND retain those high-quality board members, staff, and volunteers who truly move the mission forward.
Nonprofit Boot Camp - Introduction
Today, I’m kicking off a brand-new, blog series called First Things First Nonprofit Boot Camp: A Leadership Guide to Building a Gold Standard Nonprofit.
This is Boot Camp, not spa camp.If you make it through this Boot Camp, you’ll walk away with practical tools and principles you can apply immediately to:
improve operations, raise significant money, build a stronger board, differentiate your nonprofit, accelerate your mission, and much more. Start now!
Strategic Planning & Goal Setting Terminology: A Guide for Clarity and Consistency . . .
Strategic Planning & Goal Setting Terminology: A Guide for Clarity and Consistency . . .
Improve Executive-Board Relations Without Losing Your Mind or Board Members
Executive-Board Relations -- How to Improve it Without Losing Your Mind or Board Members
How to Search Out and Find the Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitator
How to Search Out and Find the Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitator
Year-End Appeals? . . . Increase Your Return Rates 5x!!!
Year-End Appeals? . . . Increase Your Return Rates 5x!!!
Shout it Out! 4 Nonprofit Public Speaking Tips to Help You Fearlessly Share Your Good News . . .
Shout it Out! 4 Nonprofit Marketing Tips to Help You Fearlessly Share Your Good News . . .
How Star Wars Can Help You Raise More Money -- The Art of Using Sound in Nonprofit Fundraising!
The Art of Using Sound in Nonprofit Fundraising!
Don't Wait! Here's How to Deal with Rude, Disruptive, and Disengaged Board Members
Don't Wait! Here's How to Deal with Rude, Disruptive, and Disengaged Board Members
Write Better, Right Now! - Transform Your Nonprofit Words Into Power, Influence and Funding . . .
Write Better, Right Now! - Transform Your Nonprofit Words Into Power, Influence and Funding . . .
Nonprofit Accountability: Taking the Responsibility to Deliver the Goods
Nonprofit A
In the for-profit world, the principle of accountability is fundamental and widespread. The business mantra is to grow sales, trim expenses, and improve efficiencies, all to increase earnings and profitability. Employees and board members understand if they don’t do an effective job running their businesses and managing the bottom line, competitors are standing close by happily willing to take their market share. Read on to learn more abut board member accountab
Nonprofit Culture: Developing a Unifying Force to Inspire Team Spirit
Nonprofit CultureSome nonprofits have a charismatic founder, an influential board chair, an experienced program director, or someone with an uncanny ability to raise money. It’s a blessing if you have a star player or two on your nonprofit team, and the more stars you have on your team the better. But unless there is a strong team culture unifying the players and coaches, it’s doubtful your nonprofit will ever win a major championship. Read more about culture now . . .
17 Best-of-the-Best tips on How to Host the Best Board Retreat or Strategic Planning Session Ever!
17 Best-of-the-Best tips on How to Host the Best Board Retreat or Strategic Planning Session Ever!
Are Your Board and Staff Members "Authentic" about Their Passion for Your Mission? Check here . . .
Are Your Board and Staff Members "Authentic" about Their Passion for Your Mission? Check here . . .
Holiday Fundraising (Part 2 of 2) -- Small and Mid-Size Donor Campaign Ideas . . .
Holiday Fundraising (Part 2 of 2) -- Small and Mid-Size Donor Campaign Ideas . . .
Holiday Fundraising (Part 1 of 2) -- Major Donor Campaign Ideas
Holiday Fundraising (Part 1 of 2) -- Major Donor Campaign Ideas
Engage Your Board! More Action, Less Talk. Here's How . . .
Engage Your Board! More Action, Less Talk. Here's How . . . A disengaged board isn’t just annoying — it’s expensive.It drains morale, slows progress, reduces accountability, and forces the executive director to carry the load alone.
High-performance nonprofits have one thing in common:Engaged, informed, and motivated board members.
Board engagement does not happen organically. You must engineer it by providing structure, expectations, opportunities, and accountability.
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