Strengthening Nonprofit Governance & Management
517-796-4750   
 536 N.Jackson Street,  Jackson, Michigan 49201

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Somebody Say Something!  -  by Regina Funkhouser

 

Evaluating the Executive Director


Conducting a performance evaluation is typically not one of the reasons a board member serves a nonprofit.

 

But one of the most important jobs a board does is choosing, supporting and evaluating the chief executive. An effective and ongoing performance evaluation is one of those tasks when - done well - can “build” a great organization. Evaluating the executive director has a critical role in the overall success of an organization. It should be regarded as one of the most important functions of the board.

 

I often say that good leadership is the one crucial element of success for every nonprofit.  A great board creates a great executive director – and a great executive director creates a great board.  Neither can happen in isolation or without deliberateness. 

The evaluation process is one of those deliberate acts.  Performance evaluations are an opportunity to address unclear expectations and poor communication. 

Evaluations should be an ongoing process – not a task that is ever completed.  The ongoing feedback should serve as a guide for the executive director and a source of professional support.  Continue Reading

  

 

Don't Get Buried in Grant's Tomb - Pansophy for Nonprofits by Diane

 

This month's topic:
Be Fair to Your Funders

Do you believe that simply because you know they “love” you, you can “get away” with not following their rules?  Or submitting a less than adequate proposal because you know you have some leeway?
Or submitting reports two months late?
Do you realize you aren’t being fair? 
In recent conversations with area funders, we have heard some concerning messages. 
You need to ask yourself  “Am I taking advantage of their compassion?”  Are you treating your funder or potential funder like an ATM?
Your respect and consideration may go a long way when it comes to obtaining dollars for your valued program and organization.  My suggestions, when submitting applications or communicating with funders, keep these simple and proven tips in mind.

 

Get your grant writing questions answered here! Diane McDonald, Education & Training Director, will be fielding the tough questions you've been asking. Share your grant writing struggles and successes with us and each month she will post your comments, suggestions, or answer your questions on how NOT to get buried in grant’s tomb! diane@nonprofnetwork.org

 

Thanks to All Who Registered for Our

Spring Grantwriters & Funders Symposium on March 27, 2012

We're Looking Forward to Seeing You There!

VIEW AGENDA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free iPad Classes from Jackson Community College to Cover Social Media, Cloud Computing

Jackson Community College is offering free computer and iPad training that will teach people how to use these devices and also put them to good use. The classes will cover basic training, insight and information on the benefits and security of changing technologies for personal or business use, including an introduction to social media, cloud computing and tablet computing.

 

 

The first session, which is for first-time iPad users, is set for 2 p.m. March 20 at the Jackson District Library’s Carnegie branch, 244 W. Michigan Ave. The two-hour class will cover basic functions, productivity applications and more. Click Here to learn more.

 

 

Here it Comes...

More Changes to

Your Facebook!

 

 

Facebook has announced yet another huge change to Facebook Pages that will impact all nonprofits who are using Pages. Effective March 30th, all Pages will be converted over to a completely new layout with new features, including a new messaging feature, new moderation features, no more default landing tabs, and more ways to display and post updates to the News Feed.This webinar will cover everything you need to know, and what they these changes mean for your nonprofit.


You will get these questions answered:

  • How do these changes affect my content strategy?
  • How can I optimize visual content for my Page (photos and other images)?
  • What new ways should I be considering to convert fans?
  • What are good examples of organizations who are being smart about timelines?
  • What should I do next to prepare?

Check out this FREE Webinar from CharityHowTo

 

You Can't Get Enough
of a Good Thing!

 

Welcome to our new members and to all our member renewals, those who attend workshops,
and participate in networking activities - Thank You!

 

Organizations and individuals who have joined
Nonprofit Network in 2012:

 

 

Eaton Community Palliative Care

Kara Dominique

Lenawee Great Start

SIREN / Eaton Shelter

Women's Center of Greater Lansing

Coaching for Life

Michigan State Auctioneers Association

The Hive at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson

Alzheimer's Assoc. MI Great Lakes Chapter

Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee

SWAPP

Greater Foothills Helping Hands, Faith in Action

Jackson County Recovery Court

Linked Hearts Volunteers - Ghana

Michael Ivers

 

 

Webinars On-Demand

 

Have you ever wanted to catch that one workshop but just couldn't work it into your hectic work schedule? We are pleased to announce that you will now be able to view some of our most popular workshops via the web - at your convenience - day or night!

 

 

 

Under the Training tab from our menu, select the Webinar option. From here, you will see the beginning of our expanding list of webinars as they become available. Check back often, new ones will become available regularly!

 

It WAS Broke - So We Fixed It!

 

At Nonprofit Network, paying by credit just got easier! We have upgraded our online credit card processing system to fix several customer service issues (the main one being that sometimes it just didn't work) and we now have some very cool upgrades!

 

We can accept credit cards in person or over the phone - even at conferences and workshops.
You will no longer be required to remember a seperate password.
You can opt for recurring billing - you won't have to remember to pay your yearly dues
 

This system will also let us provide more "on demand" features. We will be adding a prerecorded classes, like Board 101, that you can access 24/7. (See Member News!) It is simply easier and more user friendly.

Background information:
We had been using Google Cart - and through Google Grants, we received credit card processing with $0 fees. However, as people began using credit cards more often, we were receiving more and more phone calls from people having issues with the system. We recognized that if you were on our website, and were frustrated - even if it was out of our control - you were still frustrated with us. And this simply wasn't acceptable. We are "member/donor centered". Yes, the new system is no longer free. But we feel the added cost of a "frustration free" system is of greater value than saving a few dollars.

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Leadership Book Club

Our discussion centers around the book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (J-B Lencioni Series) by Patrick Lencioni. In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni offers a leadership fable that is enthralling and instructive. He turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen, Decision Tech's CEO, faces the ultimate leadership crisis: Uniting a team in such disarray that it threatens to bring down the entire company. Will she succeed? Will she be fired? Will the company fail? Lencioni's utterly gripping tale serves as a timeless reminder that leadership requires as much courage as it does insight.

 

The Carnegie branch of the Jackson Public Library has offered to host the monthly meetings and also has the technology to do a podcast. Books are available for checkout - many in ebook formats! Join us for the discussion on March 22, 2012!

We will begin at noon in the Carniegie Auditorium. Click here to register.

 

 

Community Events - Announcements - Job Postings

This member benefit is just another way for us to serve you better! Don't forget to begin using the Email Blast Request Form. Simply submit your
information by Friday of any given week, the announcement will go out the following week and ensure timely distribution in our email blast. The form should be filled out completely and submitted by email to: beth@nonprofnetwork.org

 

Scholarships Available

Checking out a workshop or event that you'd like to attend? Beginning March 1st, member organizations will be able to apply for $25 scholarships to use towards workshops and training opportunities. This donation will give training opportunities to 40 organizations that may not otherwise be able to participate. A brief request form must be completed.

 

Member Benefit Update Coming April 2012

Funders That Have Supported Our Work

United Way of Jackson County
James A and Faith Knight Foundation
The Hurst Foundation
Weatherwax Foundation
Michigan Nonprofit Association
Consumers Energy Company
Dorothy Blakely Foundation
South Central Credit Union
Bill & Vi Sigmond Foundation
CP Federal Credit Union
Allegiance Health Foundation
Jackson Community Foundation

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