Filtered by category: Best Practices Clear Filter

Are you feeling SAD?


Katena Cain, PhD.
Nonprofit Management Consultant

 

Are you feeling SAD?

My work, in the Nonprofit sector, began over 35 years ago and started at a young age with my dad taking my sister and I along with him as he would volunteer in local elder care facilities, food pantries and doing odd jobs for free for people who were under resourced and unseen in our community.  The spark that I saw in his eyes and those being served were priceless and I wanted to always be in spaces where I could assist – nonprofit spaces, mission-driven spaces, and community-organized spaces.





Read More

Get the Most out of Your Meeting Minutes

 

Jessica Chipman
Office Manager

 

Many people can relate to sitting in an unproductive meeting.  However, meetings do not have to be a waste of time. If accurate minutes are kept and clear-cut action steps are identified, then hours spent in a meeting can lead to a productive outcome. 

Read More

3 Reasons Your Board Should Brush Up on Governance

   

 Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder

 “The fitting Board of Directors is less about physical strength, more about mental toughness, with fitting minds and fresh eyes.” ― Pearl ZhuDigitizing Boardroom: The Multifaceted Aspects of Digital Ready Boards

Read More

Staff Announcement - Welcome Crystallee!

Crystallee Crain, Ph.D.
Capacity Builder

My Approach to Nonprofit Consulting: Fostering Self-Determination, Integrity, Care, Belonging, Solidarity, and Trust

  

As a nonprofit consultant, I am committed to providing a holistic and pragmatic approach that centers around key values: self-determination, integrity, care, belonging, solidarity, and trust. As a young person growing up in Flint, Michigan I saw firsthand the power of community led efforts to meet the needs of people that the system failed. I learned early in life that it was people in the community that made the decision to give, share, and lead that changed our lives. Later in life I learned about the opportunities nonprofit organizations bring to the actualization of our community of care. 


Read More

Benefits of Board Governance Training.

Leading a nonprofit organization is a lot like preparing for an athletic competition.  It requires consistent training, practice, and a plan to succeed. An athlete never gets to check the box off next to a basic skill. It doesn't matter how many times you've run that drill—you still review, practice, and adapt when necessary, and yes, keep on training. And it is the same for a board of directors.

A board is never past the need for training.  Seasons, needs, pandemics, growth, and experiences are just some of the variables that change the environment in which a nonprofit lives. All board members benefit from regular governance training.  So, let's talk about what some of those benefits include:

 

Read More

Mental Health Challenges in Today's Environment

 

 

May is #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

In addition to my role as a consultant for nonprofit and public sector organizations, I am also a mental health professional. I’ve been a licensed clinical social worker for over twenty years. I served as the deputy director of a community mental health authority, and I occasionally see clients in my private practice.

Read More

The Importance of Community Conversations

Katena Cain, PhD
Nonprofit Management Consultant

“Far too often, people think of themselves as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.” – Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

As humans, we operate within many different networks, all of which influence our perspectives and serve different purposes in our lives. While most networks are formed around a shared experience – such as the organization we work for, the city we live in, or identities that we hold – it is important to be cognizant of the networks we are part of and the diversity that is present within them. Given that our networks influence the way we think and the opportunities we give and receive, lack of diversity within these networks can propagate inequitable systems and create echo chambers of perspectives.

As nonprofits, we cannot meet our missions without having courageous conversations about inclusion and anti-racism in the systems, programs, policies and procedures that govern our organizations. It’s all fine and good to have these conversations in silos, but it is much more impactful when community leaders can come together to engage in conversation about their strengths, barriers and ideas. When we do this, we can learn from each other, share stories and have accountability partners.


Read More

It's Time to Activate the Levers of Power for Your Mission.

Renell Weathers
Advocacy and Public Policy Consultant

It's Time to Activate the Levers of Power for Your Mission.

Life has a way of interrupting our plans, making you either frustrated because you hate change or exhilarated because you embrace change. You may also be confused about which direction to channel your efforts. Whichever best describes you, this is not the time to put your head under the covers. It’s time to engage.  

Read More

Welcoming the New Year

Happy New Year!

We at Nonprofit Network are so grateful for all the blessings that we received in 2022 – even the ones wrapped as challenges, puzzles, and barriers.  Each of us is so honored to walk and work alongside our nonprofit partners to build better communities, and most importantly, better outcomes for those you serve.

With deep gratitude, thank you for the passion you bring to your work. 

We’d like to take a moment to share the impact you have had on us. 



Read More

Meet Denice!

Denice Gravenstijn
Consultant Support Specialist


“Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.
Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.” 

   – Chadwick Boseman 

This quote from Chadwick Boseman has been one of my inspirations.  I believe that everyone has a purpose in life. Finding your purpose may or may not come easy. The idea of being and making a difference is one of the fundamentals of fulfilling one's aspirations in life. 

I have been with Nonprofit Network since February 2022. I accepted the position of Consultant Support Specialist, and it has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a variety of different communities and at the same time explore and use some of the skills gained from my background in Sociology.  

With a background in Sociology, understanding social institutions, structures and relationships within communities helps to provide great tools to support an active consulting staff. I supply support to the consultants and the organization through communication, organization, and research. This helps Nonprofit Network serve its diverse clients efficiently, effectively, and holistically. 



Read More
2 Comments

Welcome to our website!

welcome to our new website, we fill in the missing pieces desktop picture
It's here! We've launched our New Website!


We are excited to invite you to our new
Nonprofit Network website! And you're invited to join us on Zoom for an in-depth look at our new site. We'll cover how to log-in, the services available to you, and answer any questions you have. We'll also be reviewing the new member-only homepage portal. No registration is needed for these live events.

 

Our new website is filled with even more help at your fingertips, including: 

  • A new Business Services Directory to help you find discounted and specialized services.
  • Job board that automatically shares your post to Facebook and Google if selected. *Be sure to make use of your member discount code sent in the October 28th Members Only newsletter. 
  • A Learning Center with live events and online courses (an interactive learning management system that allows you to save your work and your resources in one place) 
  • More automation to keep your employees and board members connected to the help they need. 
  • And - more ways for you to utilize your membership benefits.  

>>>  We will continue to add tools, resources and samples weekly, as we always have, so come back often to see what's new.


First Step is to Login
- As members and non-members (prospects) you will both need to set up a new password.  To do this, [Click here]. Your Username is your email address. Once your password is updated, you can [login here] using the new password you just set-up.


Read More

5 Steps to Refresh & Restore Momentum after a Bad Board Meeting

Regina Pinney
Executive Director
 

Have you ever had one of those board meetingsthe kind that makes you question if you are the right person for the job, if you have the stamina to continue, or if anyone in the room is on the same page about anything? The kind of meeting that makes you wonder if working at one of those 9-5 for profit jobs is fulfilling?

You knowone of "those" meetings.

Read More

9 Strategies to Recruit & Engage Board Members

headshot of Sharon in a black blouse

Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder

Question:  On a scale of 1 – 10, how important is a nonprofit board of directors?
Answer:  10+
If building a strong board is tantamount to running a healthy, vibrant, and successful nonprofit organization, how do we build a dynamic board? 

While the answer is complex, there are strategies you can use to enhance your success.
 





Read More

Marketing, Communications, & Public Relations

 

Stormy Trotter, PhD.
Nonprofit Consultant

Nonprofit organizations (NPO’s) are essential to our communities and strive to advocate for causes, fill existing gaps, and provide meaningful resources.  Many are successful in delivering programs and servicing needs, but are still often underrecognized and under supported. 

Read More

3 Things to Consider as you Start a Nonprofit


 

headshot of Katena Cain in a purple blouse

Katena Cain, PhD.
Nonprofit Management Consultant

Starting a nonprofit organization is an exciting way to make an impact in your community.  Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this community of do-gooders? Well, with over 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States and roughly 52,000 (up from 49K in 2020) in Michigan, ensuring the sustainability and longevity of a nonprofit are not easy tasks. Especially with the recent decline we've seen with the pandemic.

Read More