The Nonprofit Secret

Nonprofit Leadership: Francesca's Choice

2010-07-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

It took me 15 years, but I just finished reading the tearjerker The Bridges of Madison County. And though the famous novel has been often derided as a kitschy, cliché-ridden tome, its popularity attests to its universal themes of love, loss, and longing.

In the well-worn story, Francesca, a beautiful Italian war-bride turned Iowa housewife is treading through her seemingly mundane existence, when Robert, a muscular, proverbially romantic photographer stumbles onto her front porch. They share four passionate days together while her husband and kids are away, and fall hopelessly for each other. Though Francesca longs to break free from her perceived banality and run off with the mysterious stranger, she agonizingly chooses to remain with her family. Over time, she chooses to view the affair as a wonderful, if vexing, interlude to an overall meaningful life.

Francesca’s choice to stay does not mean that every couple should remain married, or conversely that an affair means a marriage is inescapably broken. Yet her choice was right for the people she touched….and though hard to swallow, right for her too.

So how, you ask, does this connect to the themes of Nonprofit Leadership?

Very little, except, perhaps for one salient point: Whether we are a board member, program manager, caseworker, executive director/CEO, or volunteer, we are touching people’s lives. No, not in a way a corporation does, by vainly connecting selling soft drinks to people’s happiness. We do it by going on a truck to the dark side of town, handing out sandwiches to the homeless. Or by lighting a shy nine year old child’s flame that she has a place in the classroom-and the world. And we do it in countless other ways.

Make no mistake, everyone in this world touches people. However in the nonprofit world, we have the wonderful, yet daunting opportunity to touch people in ways many people cannot or do not. Therefore, our choices must be driven by what’s best for the people we serve… and ourselves….in that order.

Secrets and Stories from the Nonprofit Secret

2010-05-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

I will be telling stories from my book at this Wednesday's AFP luncheon-hope you can make it!

Join The Nonprofit Secret on Facebook-and Win a Free Book!

2010-05-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

We are live on Facebook! The 100th new fan of our book will receive a free autographed copy! So join us and tell your friends, ya hear! And if you refer the 100th friend, you get a free book too!

Are you near the Beaumont-Houston-Lake Charles area? Join me on Feb 18 for the Nonprofit Secret seminar, including a signed book!

2010-02-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear Jonathan D. Schick and receive a copy of one of his latest books!

Email lesliep@setxnonprofit.org for your registration form and reserve your seat today!

The Nonprofit Secret: The Six Principles of Successful Board/CEO Partnerships

Hosted by
The Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center

Target Audience: All levels, specifically geared to Board Members, CEOs, Executive Directors, and Senior Staff

Description: Nonprofit boards are often riddled with political and functional challenges that creep into the running of the organization, conflicting with operations and inhibiting effectiveness, despite everyone's devotion to the same set of goal.

In his dynamic presentation, Jonathan Schick shares the Six Principles that can unlock an organization's potential and lead to successful board/CEO partnerships.

Book Signing: Following the session; Participants will receive a complimentary book.

February 18, 2010 9 am-12 pm Fee $60 Nonmembers/$50 Members Auditorium in the Foundation Bldg (700 North, Beaumont)

Upcoming Webinar!

2010-01-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

I will be doing a Webinar with the Alliance for Nonprofit Management on Jan. 19 Check it out!

Saint Augustine and Cousin Vinnie

2009-12-10T00:04:00.001-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see this article in the premier private school publication in the US., where the author refers to my governance model. A fun article to read too.

Clips of my recent presentation are on YouTube!

2009-12-09T23:43:00.000-08:00

I finally made it to the ultimate proof of existence: Youtube.

I gave a short 20 minute presentation on the Nonprofit Secret to a Dallas rotary club. There are 4 clips-I begin speaking in the middle of Clip #1, and continue through #4.

Check them out at:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4it-XUrEQw&feature=related

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3lxV0KMSjs&feature=related

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_WJyMI6loA&feature=related

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmgDTV7luGU&feature=related

Enjoy!

New List of Upcoming Events-Including Open Seminars in Austin and San Antonio

2009-10-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

• October 20-22, 2009, Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) Annual Conference: The Nonprofit Secret Presentation and Book Signing – Baton Rouge, LA

• October 23, 2009, Social Venture Partners International, Annual Conference: Presentation: Keeping the Passion, Focusing on Mission – Dallas, TX

• October 28, 2009, Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, Annual Conference: The Nonprofit Secret Presentation and Book Signing – San Antonio, TX

• October 29, 2009, Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas, San Antonio: Workshop: Revolutionary Evaluation: The SPAN/ESAT System, 9-12 PM. To register, visit www.nprc.org or contact: Leslie Met at lmet@saafdn.org or call (210) 242-4770.

• November 5-6, 2009, Independent Sector, Annual Conference: The Nonprofit Secret Presentation and Book Signing – Detroit, MI

• November 10, 2009, Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network: Group Presentation – Austin, TX.

• November 18, 2009, PowerTools Nonprofit Annual Conference: The Nonprofit Secret Book Signing – Houston, TX

• November 19-20, 2009, BoardSource, Annual Conference: The Nonprofit Secret Book Signing – Orlando, FL

• December 3, 2009, Nonprofit Center of Austin: Workshop: The Nonprofit Secret: Six Principles of Successful Board/CEO Partnerships, 9-12 PM – Austin, TX. To register, visit: www.eventbrite.com/event/431979061

• February 25, 2010, National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference: Presentation: Nonprofit Secrets for Independent School Boards – San Francisco, CA

Keeping the Passion, Focusing on Mission

2009-09-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

"Keeping the Passion, Focusing on Mission" is one of my favorite seminars.
I will be giving it at the
(SVPI Social Venture Partners International) conference on October 23 in Dallas

http://www.svpi.org/

Updated list of Upcoming Events

2009-08-20T14:21:00.001-07:00

I've posted an updated list of my upcoming engagements-click the link for more details-http://www.goalconsulting.com/Engagements.html

Nonprofit CPA Meeting

2009-08-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about my speech to the MIGI Nonprofit CPA Meeting, next Thursday, August 20, Downtown Dallas. If you need more info, let me know!

New opportunity to hear about The Nonprofit Secret

2009-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 25, at noon, I'll be speaking to the Addison Midday Rotary Club, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Addison at 14315 Midway Rd-if you're not a member, please come as my guest-just let me know!

As we start the "new year", check out my article "Spoons and Oil"-it's worth the read...

2009-08-05T23:49:00.000-07:00

More than Humanity...

2009-07-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

One poster writes: "Why Do Boards Behave Badly? Because they can.
Sure, we can discuss all the policies and things to put in place to improve these relationships. The reality is that boards are comprised of people - individuals with varying backgrounds, personalities, strengths and idiosyncrasies. Just like our staff, our families, and.... the rest of humanity.

So, why do people behave badly? Because they can. It's simply human nature. If we conduct ourselves with integrity, honesty, and straight forward language, without the acronyms, the buzz words of the day, and the hard politics, we may fare a lot better in this sector.

My response:

Thanks for your post. I agree wholeheartedly that we must banish buzzwords and posturing around the board table. I suspect, though, as I mentioned in my first post, and some have echoed here, that without real good board education/engagement, many well-intentioned board members don't even have the chance to succeed. As Susan said earlier "whether the board actually knows what its job is." So human we all indeed are, but the persistent dysfunction in the boardroom leads me to believe it's more than humanity.

I'd love to hear your thoughts-join the conversation!

Good discussion going on in LinkedIn: Why Do Boards Behave Badly?

2009-07-27T13:57:00.001-07:00

click on the link to join the discussion, or post on this blog!

Why Do Boards Behave Badly? - Book Excerpt

2009-07-23T13:44:00.001-07:00

I just perused Wendy Kaminer's book "Worst Instincts"-about boardroom wars at the ACLU. I totally empathize with the author's condemnation of poor board practices. I just disagree on one major point: it's not just human nature that causes boards to behave badly-it's primarily due to the capricious nature of governance of many nonprofit boards.

In response, here is an excerpt from my new book "The Nonprofit Secret."

"In many years of working with nonprofits, I’ve hardly
ever encountered a board that’s suffering from a lack of
commitment on the part of its members. Usually, people
genuinely care about the organization and are dedicated to
it, eager to offer their unique talents and gifts. In much the
same way, it’s rarely the case that one bad egg is causing all
the board’s problems. Of the organizations I’ve worked with,
I would estimate only 5–10 percent can trace the bulk of
their problems to a particularly toxic board member or CEO,
someone completely consumed by self-interest. Typically,
people become board members because they want to
help. And all too often, they start out brimming with energy
and idealism, ready to take an active role, only to discover
that the board’s governing responsibilities are inextricably
blurred with the management duties of the CEO.

When a board strays from a firm focus on governance,
several things can happen. Instead of each individual’s
skills being put to good use, their energies lie dormant.
This can cause the board to exist in a kind of perpetual
atrophy, where meetings turn into nothing more than
motion-seconding marathons. Because there is so much
potential energy waiting to explode, passionate board
members often make the unintentional mistake of finding
improper outlets for their energies.

A board’s Program Committee, for example, may
begin to take over an organization’s programming, even
when there is a paid Program Director on staff. Suddenly
talented board members find that their energies are
being channeled in the wrong directions. A woman
with a brilliant knack for fundraising ends up choosing
the tablecloth colors for a special event; a man with
an uncanny gift for strategizing winds up in charge of
mailings. When this happens, people become quickly
dissatisfied. No one signed on to be a lump on a log or an
envelope-licker. That’s not what it means to be a member
of a thriving, exciting, empowering board."

Copyright 2009 Jonathan D Schick, All Rights Reserved

Book Review in the Chronicle of Philanthropy!

2009-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

We just had our first national review-a short but sweet article-check it out at http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v21/i19/19002805.htm

FREE Nonprofit Secret workshop & book signing

2009-06-08T18:00:00.001-07:00

Everyone is invited to the FREE Nonprofit Secret workshop & book signing on Wednesday, June 24th, 7:30-9 PM at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas. Please R.S.V.P to Chris Simms at csimms@jfgd.org

Books will be available at a special event rate.

Please feel free to invite board members, staff and other professionals who could benefit. More info on the book and system is at nonprofitsecret.com

See you there!

BlogTalkRadio Share Show Widget

2009-05-20T17:12:00.001-07:00

Check out this new podcast interview.

Enjoy!

Jonathan

May 21 Luncheon and Book Signing

2009-05-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

Everyone in DFW and beyond is invited to the Thursday, May 21 luncheon & book signing at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas. Find out more and sign up at cnmdallas.org or the link below:

http://my.cnmdallas.org/source/Meetings/cMeetingFunctionDetail.cfm?section=unknown&product_major=ORG090521&functionstartdisplayrow=1

The book is now available!

2009-05-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that The Nonprofit Secret: The Six Principles of Successful Board/CEO Partnerships, is now available directly from our website. All copies ordered directly will be autographed, and will be sent first class with free shipping.

You can go to www.nonprofitsecret.com/ordernow.html
If you would like a special dedication or to send as a gift, just add it to the notes when you checkout.

You can also order through Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933651415