Dec
8
The Independent Sector hosted a session yesterday discussing predictions of the future of the nonprofit sector. I could not attend this session because I was also presenting at that time, however this morning I attended a great session where Gary Grobman from Indiana University of Pennsylvania presented his predictions of the nonprofit sector. Actually it was a follow up from his presentation four years ago when he made 7 specific predictions of the nonprofit sector. He expressed if these predictions came true (in parenthesis below). Read More
From the blog of Heather Carpenter.
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Nov
18
Next Gen Board Members
Filed Under Leadership Deficit | Leave a Comment
I recently had a request from some colleagues of mine about research on Next Gen Board Members. I found a few articles from CompassPoint and BoardSource which I found really useful. I also was able to pull out an excerpt from my research, Preparing the Path to Leadership, although it wasn’t an exact fit. Clearly we need to have more discussion as a sector about engaging emerging leaders at the board level.
There has been a great deal of focus in the sector about the leadership “crisis” which has been primarily focused on Executive Directors. We should be focusing more on incorporating emerging leaders on boards of directors. Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Resource Generation, and more are comprised primarily by emerging leaders. There are some nonprofits out there who may have a next gen board member scattered here and there, but how do we make this a priority and why is it a priority? Read More
Sep
5
What can emerging leaders do to drive diversity efforts in the sector?
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During the third Next Generation Leadership Series forum, emerging leaders discussed what they are doing or could be doing to drive diversity efforts in the nonprofit sector. Participants brought many ideas and challenges to the conversation, but in the end decided on some first steps all nonprofit sector employees can take to drive diversity efforts.
Here is a list of the steps participants came up with to affect diversity efforts first in their organizations and then to drive them sector wide:
- Define diversity - begin by defining diversity within your organization. Identify what your organization believes diversity is, whom it includes, and how it affects your organization.
- Assess your organization - after defining diversity, assess your organization. An assessment will help you plan for how to implement a diversity plan.
- Always be strategic and intentional with your diversity efforts.
- Collaborate - collaborating can help build relationships and engagement with diverse populations.
- GO THERE! - go where the diversity is. If you want racial and ethnic diversity, market to and recruit to these specific groups. Outreach is key to building diversity in your organization.
- Network and Build relationships - it is important to build relationships and network with a diverse population in order to share your knowledge of who is available to lead in the sector.
- Not just for staff - it’s also critically important to attract diverse constituents, board members, and other volunteers.
- Professional development opportunities - there are numerous opportunities, programs and trainings to help create awareness of diverse populations. Develop a respect for culture, and offer resources to create more diversity in your organization.
- Research-use research about diversity from other organizations in the nonprofit sector to help inform your organization.
Participants emphasized that even if you are not currently leading any diversity efforts you can contribute to driving the diversity agenda within your organization by doing or suggesting some of the things listed above.
To read the entire conversation visit the NP2020 Forums and click on the Next Generation Leadership Series forum topic.
