Going Green Doesn’t Mean Going Without

“On the contrary, it’s the most exciting, fulfilling and wondrous way of life imaginable.”   So says green guru Sophie Uliano in her book Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life.  What I liked best about this book were that its eight steps are completely doable, and indeed simple.  The author understands that for a lot of folks, the words “going green” can be daunting, indicating a complete life transformation of which they are incapable.  Small steps seem to work well for most people, including myself.  Air dry your laundry once in awhile.  Flip off the light switch when you leave a room.  Use cloth shopping bags.  See, not too scary, right?

So after Ann Starr lent me this book last fall, it got us thinking… how can Greenlights be more green?  We started small, and everyone pitched in.  Greenlights staff members brought dish towels and cloth napkins from home to reduce our use of paper towels.  We also brought spare dishes, glasses and coffee mugs from our homes, cutting out our use of paper plates and styrofoam (gasp!) cups (and creating a unique and eclectic line of Greenlights kitchenware in the process).

Once the kitchen was squared away, we set our sights on redesigning the rest of our space.  As the old saying goes, it’s all about who you know.  Ann’s sister Karen, founder of Karen Starr ReDesign, is a design consultant who helps you put fresh spins on your space using what you already have.  Sure, we could have gone out and purchased eco-friendly furnishings for our office, but Karen helped us look at our space in a whole new way.  She met with each person individually and helped them re-think their space, using items they already had (plus some strategic swapping of furniture in a few cases).

A couple of days (and not a single penny) later, our space was literally transformed.

Behold our lobby before:

And after:

And for those of you wondering where Monica’s workspace went:

Ta-da! And the rest of our space looks great, too, thanks to teamwork and some creative thinking.  (Thanks, Karen!)

So, if you don’t have a lot of cash lying around (or you didn’t get that big grant you were hoping for), fear not.  You can still make a difference one small step at a time.

How will YOU go green this year?

Wanted: Former Executive Directors to serve as Interim Executive Directors

I’m excited to share the news that Greenlights is expanding our pool of Interim Executive Director candidates, and applications are now available on  our website.

To be considered for this program, candidates must have served as an Executive Director for a nonprofit agency, be available for a 20-30 hour/week placement for a 4-6 month period, and be committed to providing day-to-day support, management, and guidance to an organization in a time of transition.

The Interim Executive Director Program is an exciting piece of Greenlights’ Leadership Advancement practice and allows us to provide support and leadership during a crucial time in an organization’s development: the transition between Executive Directors. In 2009, there were fewer transitions in this area due to economic instability and unpredictability, but we’re already seeing a resurgence of need in this area as 2010 gets rolling.

Here’s a quick preview of what we’re looking for:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Seasoned manager who has served as the Executive Director of a nonprofit agency for two or more years and possesses strong working knowledge of nonprofit management—including financials, human resource management, and strategic planning
• Ability to focus on key administrative and transition-related tasks in a less-than-full-time scenario
• Clear and confident communicator who can diplomatically relate to all stakeholder groups, verbally and in writing
• Honed active listening skills; proficient at giving and receiving honest feedback
• Facility for timely compliance with protocols for service reports and record keeping

Preferred Experience

• Several years membership on one or more nonprofit Board of Directors
• Nonprofit consulting

Characteristics

• A calm and reassuring presence that can allay anxieties, fears, and doubts inherent in the transition process
• Commitment to service and excellence in the nonprofit sector
• Professional desire to work in nonprofit agencies unsettled by major challenges and changes
• Desire to lead and model leadership

Availability

• Attend mandatory training course April 29-30, 2010
• Be available to work a minimum of 20 hours/week for a multi-month placement

If you know of anyone that would be a good candidate for this program, please tell them to check out our website for the application by March 1, 2010!

Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?

A palindrome is a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., that is read the same backwards as forward. One of my new favorite palindromes happens to be the title of this blog post, “Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?” This palindrome reminded me of Taylor’s post on Generation Why and the commitment to social change.  This video was submitted to a YouTube contest by one of Taylor’s fellow Generation Why members. The contest, launched in August 2007, gave people between the ages of 18 and 30 the chance to submit short videos on the subject of what they think their lives will be like at the age of 50. The goal of the “U@50 Challenge” was to encourage inter-generational dialogue enabling young people to speak their minds.

This video is only a 1 minute, 44 second long, and I strongly encourage you to view it regardless of what generation you are. Make sure you read as well as listen, forward and backwards.  This palindrome in video form reads the exact opposite, forward and backwards.  Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite. I hope you enjoy this simple yet brilliant arrangement that speaks to all generations.

Think Globally, Act Locally: Austin Nonprofit Responses to Haiti

Open Door Preschool's Haiti Fundraiser

Like many people around the country and the world, I enjoyed some music for a good cause this weekend.

Sunday’s Help Austin Help Haiti concert, benefiting the Haiti relief efforts of the Clinton Bush Fund and Oxfam, gave me a unique opportunity to see Band of Heathens, The Flatlanders and many other local bands, and give to something I care deeply about.

This being Austin, it was but one of many opportunities to enjoy arts and culture while donating to Haiti;  we cheered the announcement at the concert, for example, that Wednesday’s Paramount screening of Turk Pipkin’s One Peace At A Time documentary raised over $15,000 for Architecture for Humanity’s Haiti Reconstruction Fund and yele.org.

Since I work in the nonprofit community, it’s important to me that even as I respond to the urgent and catastrophic needs in Haiti, I don’t forget my philanthropic commitments here at home.

Local nonprofits depend on and budget for our contributions to carry out their activities, of course.

After natural disasters like the Southeast Asian tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there was a heightened concern about potential donor fatigue.  How could our nonprofit community keep donors engaged in meeting local funding priorities, in the face of so much need elsewhere?  It was and is a real worry, particularly for nonprofits whose activities don’t connect with an international, humanitarian tragedy.

Yet Central Texas nonprofits are figuring out ways to pitch in, and bringing along those who care about their organizations – whether or not they connect directly to Haiti or international development work – to support Haitian relief.

Here are seven nonprofit stories we’ve heard about thus far.  What other ways have you seen nonprofits step up and respond to the crisis in Haiti?

1. Austin Child Guidance Center is contributing 20 percent of the total donations received from their Austin Marathon campaign to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund, extending their mission of improving the lives of children and families in Central Texas to those in Haiti.
2. Austin Habitat for Humanity is redirecting the $3,000 “tithe” that is donated for each home built from other countries to Haiti, and is encouraging additional contributions to that fund.
3. Catholic Charities conducted a  “Hope for Haiti” Fundraiser benefiting Catholic Services’ work in Haiti.
4. Open Door Preschool organized a fundraiser where the teachers are making hot lunch, and parents will make a contribution to Haiti relief efforts as payment (see photo).
5. Ten Thousand Villages is donating 50% of sales from Haitian crafts back to Haiti earthquake relief via the Clinton-Bush Haiti fund through the end of January.
6. The owners of local business Total Relief Footwear have teamed up with a national nonprofit, Soles 4 Souls, to collect shoes to be shipped to Haiti.
7. The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas has established a 1-to-1 match program via the High-Tech Haiti Relief Fund, matching up to $600,000 that will be targeted to organizations providing Haitian earthquake relief services.

What stories do you have to share?

Nonprofits: Prepare for a Prosperous 2010!

It appears the economic fog may be lifting, but what will that mean for Austin-area nonprofits? This morning’s 2010-2011 Economic Forecast at the Austin Convention Center (featuring Angelos Angelou, CEO and Chief Economist at Angelou Economics, and Dr. James Paulsen, Chief Investment Strategist for Wells Fargo) shed some very interesting light on that question… …

First off, it looks like the 2008-09 recession was indeed statistically the worst since the Great Depression. Unemployment nationally hit a 26-year high at 10%, and the economy shrank for 3 or 4 straight quarters. Austin’s unemployment, though, only hit 6.7%, bolstered by growth in our government and education sectors. We certainly have felt the impact of the recession in our nonprofit sector, with most nonprofits reporting decreases in giving and increased demand for services.

But looking forward, things appear to be turning positive, and most believe the recession ended in Q4 of 2009. Austin specifically seems to be well-poised for strong growth, likely beginning in Q2 or Q3 of this year. Wages in Austin actually increased in 2009 at 2.2% on average, and our very strong population growth continues to fuel our relative prosperity. Austin, in fact, has fared better than any metro area in Texas and better than almost all cities in the U.S., according to the data shared today. Austin’s job growth is expected to be 1.4% in 2010 and 2.5% in 2011. Nationally, all indications point to a strong, perhaps even too strong,  economic recovery in 2010, largely due to very robust (some are arguing too robust) economic and monetary policy changes made by our national leaders (multiple stimulus packages, bailouts, etc.).

So what happened to the much-hyped “second Great Depression” so many of us feared a year ago? The most interesting aspect of today’s session was Dr. Paulsen’s assertion that, despite all of the real problems in banking and other areas of our economy, this recession was mostly fueled by irrational, largely unfounded fear of another Great Depression. He claims that all economies must go through up and down cycles, and it was time for us to have a down cycle. Our fear served to reduce our confidence in the economy, and even though most of us kept our jobs and had little to worry about, we still stopped spending money, investing in organizational growth, etc., which artificially exacerbated the economic situation.

So what does this mean for area nonprofits? Well, unfortunately the nonprofit sector tends to lag a little bit behind the rest of the economy. This is primarily because philanthropic giving, which largely fuels our sector, tends to remain slow until consumer confidence takes hold and until we get closer to full employment. So the good news is that giving will likely be on the rise (especially toward the end of this year), but it might take another 6+ months of difficult decisions for many nonprofits to get by. My advice: it’s time for us to become optimistic about our nonprofits, the good work we are doing, and the prospects for our future. I’m not talking Pollyanna optimistic, but let’s celebrate the fact that Austin has fared well and that a recovery is almost certainly around the next corner. Our staff, our boards, our donors, and the public expect us to continue to make prudent decisions and to continue to be somewhat conservative, but I now believe it is time for nonprofits to lay the groundwork for (and project a positive attitude about) a prosperous 2010!

How Do Donors Make Giving Decisions?

There’s been a good bit of buzz lately about how nonprofits could benefit from using the findings of  behavioral science / social psychology research in their work.    This was one of the hot topics at the 2009 Convio Summit this past fall.  It is a common theme for Dan Pallotta, author of Uncharitable;  social sector leaders can read his blog Free the Nonprofits for a bimonthly dose of encouragement to take some lessons from business.  Heck, Outside Magazine’s most recent issue was dedicated almost entirely to philanthropy, and included an article by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof arguing that aid organizations could save millions more lives if they would use marketing tactics and strategies used by the business world to sell more products.  When one of the most widely read magazines on outdoor adventure focuses on this as a theme, you know you’ve hit mainstream, right?

What are these lessons, exactly?  First and foremost, people give to help other people.  Specifically, the most successful fundraising efforts tell the story of just one person.  Research shows that as soon as even a second person’s story is added to the equation, support falls.  And while it’s true that thousands of people may be affected by an issue or tragedy, being reminded of the pure magnitude of the problem has an even greater negative impact on giving.

Second, not only is it important that the story be about one person, but the stories that work best are those of triumph over a signficant obstacle.  Kristoff talks about how he spent a lot of time reporting on the AIDS epidemic in Africa, and the horrible impact it had on individuals’ lives – children who had become the de facto caregiver to their younger siblings because both of their parents had died of AIDS, for example – without getting much reaction from the public.  But then he covered a story of a Pakistani rape victim who used compensatory money to start a school because she believed that education was the best way to overcome the kinds of attitudes that led to her rape, and suddenly checks were flowing in for her from readers (ultimately resulting in over $500,000 to help her expand her efforts).  Basically, donors want to feel good about their gifts.

Finally, donors want to know what positive impact their donations are going to have.  So successful asks describe a tangible impact an individual.  For example,  $25 will buy a textbook, $50 will feed someone for X number of weeks, and so on.

Mother Teresa said it best, “If I look at the mass, I will never act.  If I look at the one, I will.”

Interestingly, the donations flowing in to support relief work in Haiti – $150 million has been raised thus far – seem to contradict these lessons.  We are talking about horrific circumstances affecting a mass of people, and really, there aren’t many (any?) positive stories to tell yet.  And the appeal that is getting the broadest visibility is the Red Cross Text Message Campaign which states simply to text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to support that organization’s relief efforts in Haiti  – hardly an example of “tangible individual impact.”  Thus far, this and other text campaigns for Haitian relief efforts have raised $11 million.  So there is definitely more to the story than the lessons of social psychology…. the subject, maybe, of a future blog.

What lessons do you think NGOs / nonprofits / public benefit organizations should take from business in the interest of furthering their missions?

May You Have a Very Risky Year

Photo from psychologytoday.com.

Like many of my colleagues and friends, I’m psyched about 2010.  I love a fresh start and the feeling that a brand new year brings.

In the Greenlights Education and Membership Departments, we’ve got lots of new member benefits, a new approach to peer networking and learning, new stellar staff members, new strategic alliances to help strengthen our programming and more…but I’m a little worried.

It’s that annoying, pessimistic voice in my head that worries it won’t all go well for some reason or another.  That some of these new initiatives won’t work or that no one will show up. But this year, I’m telling that voice to zip it.

Sure, there is risk involved in trying so many new things.  Some of what we try probably won’t work out.  But it’s that fresh start, that feeling of trying something new, that’s most exciting and fun!  And I know that when I start to worry about something or other not going well, whatever that something is immediately starts to feel a lot less exciting and fun.

I recently read a great blog post from Chris Guillebeau, author of the Art of Non-Conformity about the value of taking risks entitled “Beware of Life.”  Chris believes – as do I – that the greatest risk comes from trying to play it safe all the time.  “Instead of trying to live a risk-free existence,” he says, “let me tell you a few things that are truly worth worrying about: The road not taken. The destination not explored. The adventure not pursued. The life unlived.”

If we are truly trying to make a difference with our work, we need to take risks.  We need to stay focused on the tremendous impact we can have when trying something new and giving it our all.  We need to remember the hopefulness and excitement that comes from an unspoiled new beginning like the new year.  And we need to listen to that worrisome voice only if it helps us do things smarter, but certainly not let it determine our path or squash our hopefulness.

So here’s to taking lots of risks in 2010!  After all, it’s tough to make a real difference if you don’t do anything different, right?

DIY Professional Development

After joining the Greenlights team last year, I quickly became aware of…all the things of which I was previously unaware. I started reading blogs weekly, I joined mailing lists, and after just a few months was able to hone down my stream of information to what is most valuable to me. (If you’re looking for a place to start, consider the list of blogs on our blogroll!)

I first joined the YNPN Austin chapter’s mailing list. That introduced me to the Wild Apricot blog, through which I discovered Rosetta Thurman, a self-made nonprofiteer. Last fall, she dedicated an episode of her online radio show to free or low-cost professional development opportunities, right about the same time as I was preparing my 2009 end-of-year self-assessment, which included a section on my professional development goals for 2010. Serendipity!

Many professional development opportunities are pricey, to be sure. But whether funds are plentiful or scarce, it’s always a good idea to consider what we can do with what we already have. Below are some tips, culled from the aforementioned radio show, for DIY Professional Development:

1. Find your own mentors. Use relationships you already have — Rosetta calls this “organic mentoring.”
2. Mentors don’t have to be older than you; you can learn a lot from your peers, and you can have more than one mentor for more than one purpose during your career.
3. Don’t underestimate the power of reflection — take time to reflect on where you are in your leadership journey right now.
4. Join a board of directors, and list that experience on your resume. (The Greenlights staff can vouch for the value on this one!)
5. Communicate your leadership involvement with your employer.
6. Get involved in your local YNPN chapter — lots of good (and free!) professional development and networking opportunities are available.
7. Become an expert on a particular topic.
8. Invite yourself to everything (like free nonprofit events and conferences) and make a valuable contribution when you get there; ask compelling questions or make a comment during Q &A. This builds your visibility and reputation.
9. Do a really good job in the position you’re in right now.
10. Ask lots of questions, and don’t be scared to approach people. Take advantage of the knowledge and skills of those around you!
11. Find your true passion; consider leaving your current job if it’s not the right fit for you, and you find something that is better suited to your skills, interests and passion.

What are your goals in the coming year?

Top 10 Documents in Greenlights’ Resource Library

Are you familiar with the slew of free goodies in our ever-growing resource library? You probably are since our resource library received nearly 18,000 views in 2009!

Listed below are the top 10 documents viewed in 2009:

1. Board Job Descriptions (3,079 views)
2. Nonprofit Bylaws (2,522 views)
3. Event Marketing Plan (2,246 views)
4. Nonprofit Financial Policies (1,578 views)
5. Staff Performance Evaluation (1,357 views)
6. Internal Controls (1,151 views)
7. Executive Director Contract (930 views)
8. Sample Project Budget (991 views)
9. Meeting Notes Template (842 views)
10. Employment Application (744 views)

As we continue to grow our resource library in 2010, what documents would you like to see added?

Generation Why

I have always considered myself to be a part of Generation X. I’m obviously not a Baby Boomer, I don’t feel a strong connection to Gen Y-ers (or Millenials, as I’m learning they’re called), so I must be a Gen X-er…right? Wrong. I officially missed that boat, by a year or more, depending on who you ask.

However, I’m more interested in this particular trait of “my generation” (however you choose to define that) — commitment to social change. Someone recently asked me how my path led me to Greenlights. The story was fun to tell, and it brought back some good memories along the way. Here are some highlights.

When deciding on a major in college, interest won over practicality, and I chose international studies and French language. I decided that I would be more focused in graduate school, so now was my time to explore. (I later learned that now is always the time to explore.)

During my freshman year, I became a volunteer caseworker for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, something I would continue throughout my time in college (and even today). That experience afforded me the opportunity to meet with hundreds of local residents in their own homes and help them address the many issues they faced as a result of living in poverty. It also laid the foundation for my own personal commitment to social change.

Fast forward a bit to teaching English as a second language in rural France to elementary and middle school children. There, I further developed two of my greatest loves, languages and nature. But graduate school was calling…and I answered by choosing social work.

As a graduate student, I served as a counselor and case manager in a criminal justice setting, I researched and analyzed U.S.-Mexico border relations, and I worked on a program designed to address and alleviate the psychological trauma experience by war-affected youth in Sierra Leone. These experiences, along with casework and education, may all sound very different to you, but there is a common theme — I’ll give you one guess. Yep, commitment to social change.

So why Greenlights? Here, I have the opportunity to work with not just one, but a myriad of organizations who work daily to address the issues about which I am most passionate. We’re committed to change, too. That change comes in the form of helping those who do good, do better.

How did your path lead you to where you are today?