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On Track For Nonprofit Professionalism

Posted By Samuel Richard on September 3rd, 2008

I swung the bat a second time over at the Nonprofit Congress Blog. Would love to hear your thoughts:

Sure, there was a day when Birkenstocks and patchouli were the overwhelming symbols of the sector. Just a bunch of passionate people with big dreams about filling those proverbial gaps in society, operating outside traditional models of organizational structure and accepted definitions of hygiene. But those days are more or less over, and hopefully gone with it the stigma that we’re nothing more than a bunch of hippies. My friend and colleague, Alex, says that nonprofit work is about filling the gaps. She says that nonprofits meet the needs of people that government and private sectors fail to do. I believe that the sector always has been, and always will be, enlisted in the mission of filling the gaps. But how we respond to those gaps is evolving.

Go here to read the rest.

Cheers,
Sam
“I’ll always be there because I’m a skilled professional actor. Whether or not I’ve any talent is beside the point.”
Michael Caine

Posted in Arizona State Univeristy, Nonprofit Congress, Nonprofit Sector

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Mr. Inexperience Goes To Washington

Posted By Samuel Richard on July 2nd, 2008

You remember my trip to D.C., yes? Well, I recently wrote a guest post for the Nonprofit Congress blog about said trip. Below is a short portion of it, but for the whole thing I’ll ask you to be a good sport and go to their blog.

Just about a month ago, I was a part of history.

Sure, it sounds cheesy. But it’s true. And that’s all that matters, right? A few hundred of my closest friends and I were able to help shape the future of the nonprofit sector at the 2008 Nonprofit Congress. Plenary speakers, breakout sessions, and informal conversations alike peppered our week with other’s experiences, grievances, and joys pertaining to the sector.

I came away from the week filled with expectant hope. I mentioned to a few people that it had a similar feeling to the days immediately following junior high summer camp. You know, when emotions are flaring and the idea wheels are turning at full speed. And let me tell you, neither one of those things have yet to go away.

Looking forward to your thoughts, comments, and snide remarks…

Cheers,
Sam
“We have the best Congress that money can buy.”
Will Rogers

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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The Hill & The Hostel

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 12th, 2008

Hanging out with Barack’s staff in DC.

In Obama’s office. I was in DC for this. A day I will never forget.

The second to last day of my trip to DC was probably my favorite. It was Lobby Day, and about one hundred (100) of us met with our respective local Representatives and Senators (read: their staff). We met with John Shadegg’s office, Raul Grijalva’s office, Jon Kyl’s office, and Ed Pastor’s office (pictured). And about now, you’re thinking, “That’s great, Sam. But why were you meeting with them?!”

I was pretty proud of this picture. Looks good, doesn’t it?

Good question. We were on the Hill to build momentum and gain energy for proposed legislation tentatively titled the Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative (NCBI). Sounds like a lot of letters, and potentially boring. But I promise you this legislation is exciting, and could potentially impact your daily life in fantastic ways. Basically, the NCBI would set up an equivalent to the Small Business Administration. This is important because eighty-one percent (81%) of nonprofit organizations have operating budgets of under one million dollars ($1,000,000). And that means that any “back office” type work greatly diminishes the amount of money and energy an organization can use towards the furthering of their mission. So get excited.

Patrick and I in front of the Peoples’ House.

On varying degrees, all four of the meetings we had were met with positive remarks. Understandably, Grijalva’s and Pastor’s people were most excited about it. And while the other meetings were productive, they were a little more reluctant due to all the hub-bub over PAYGO. The National Council of Nonprofit Associations is asking for $25 million fronted by the Government with another $25 million in matching dollars funded by private foundations. That might sound like a lot, but the Small Business Administration had a budget of $678 million last fiscal year. There is plenty of work left to do to move this bill further along the process, but the Lobby Day was a huge first step. Be certain that I’ll provide you all the updates you can handle…

I had the bottom bunk. Top bunk was a guy from Latvia who just graduated from college.

After all of those meetings were over, I headed over to 11th and K streets, where my bed for the night was. It was my first experience in a hostel, and I was very pleased. Super cheap, great conversations with people from all over the world, and a wealth of information on local sights and eats off the beaten tourist path.

Is it sacrilege to call this Mecca?

Studio 4a production room. This is where the magic happens.

I was leaving the next day in the early evening, so I knew that most of my afternoon was going to be spent traveling to, and waiting at the airport. Before I left Phoenix, I made sure that I knew the tour schedule of the NPR Headquarters, and made my reservation. It was pretty cool to see where Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Talk Of The Nation are produced, but none of the three were on air when the tour happened, so no picture with Neil Conan…

I learned so much, met scores of amazing people, and have a storage closet full of stories and experiences because of my week in the Capitol City. Thanks for reading along, and living vicariously through my trip!

Cheers,
Sam
“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”
G.K. Chesterton

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Home Sweet Home

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 6th, 2008

11:00AM – My luggage is in New Orleans, but I’m in Phoenix. Guess my bags didn’t want the trip to be over quite yet…

I have a lot of stories to tell and wrap-up to do, but I need to get settled a bit here back in the land of the Hundred Degrees. Happy Friday, everyone!

Cheers,
Sam
“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”
Maya Angelou

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Promised Pictures

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 3rd, 2008

6:00PM Here’s some pictures from earlier this morning when the Arizona Delegation discussed our priorities and action items for the next year. What are those? Glad you asked.

Speak With One Voice
Promote Collaboration And Networking
Increase Public Awareness
Promote Accountability
Connect With Resources

I’m probably most excited about number three (3) and number (5). There are plans to put a National Public Awareness Campaign together. You know, print ads, video ads. Some clear messaging that shows we really are a legitimate sector of society. I’m pretty stoked about Connecting With Resources as well because I’m all about the responsible use of technology – including the formation and launch of the Entry Point Project.

Ok, my stomach is grumbling. Off to a reception, which I’m learning is Washington Speak for free food and wine…

Cheers,

Sam

“Government of the people, for the people, and by the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Another One On The Blogroll…

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 3rd, 2008

4:00PM Sitting in the conference room here, waiting for the Lobby Day prepartion event. After this, every “official” conference event is over. Later tonight, there is a reception at the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, and tomorrow we get to meet with our local Congresspeople.

I have a few things I’d like to share from our morning and lunch sessions, but this is about ready to start, so it’ll have to come later. For now, I’ll just introduce you all to a new friend. I met Rosetta Thurman today, and found out that we are fellow bloggers (pictured above). I like this camera thing. After I bounce back from all the money I’ve spent away from home, I think it might a pretty responsible purchase. The one I’m using I stole from my sister. But she got to use my car in return. Pretty good deal, if I say so myself.

See you soon!

Cheers,

Sam

“We are One Voice.”

The Nonprofit Community

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Monday Wrap-Up, Tuesday Wind-Up

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 3rd, 2008

9:00AM The first morning speaker of today is just starting right now, but so am I. The time change and long flight caught up to me a little bit, and the wake up call I received did not, in fact, wake me up. But I have a full day ahead of me nonetheless.

The first thing we’ll do today is meet as State Delegations. An extremely important piece of this gathering is what we take away from it. And while that emotional high, summer camp-type feeling is always fun, the NCNA has the clear and focused vision to provide “National Voice, State Focus, and Local Impact.” So while we are meeting with friends, colleagues, and co-laborers from across the country, our charge is to take the knowledge we know have and repackage it for our respective situations back home – wherever that may be.

We are meeting this morning as the Arizona Delegation, but we had a much more informal gathering last night at B. Smith’s, located in the Presidential Suite of Union Station (pictured). Fantastic food with a Southern touch. And the desert was delectable. We ordered one of each off the menu, and created our own carousel. Take a bite, pass. Take a bite, pass. If we weren’t the last ones in the restaurant, we probably would have been kindly asked to leave.

I feel like there is so much more to say, but I have to get going to the next session pretty quickly here. So here is just a few things that I might to get to expand on later.

1) ASU won game one (1) of a best-of-three (3) series at the Womens‘ College Softball World Series last night (3-0). It could end tonight.

2) Something else might end tonight.

3) I have met a ton of great people before, during, after, in, and out of these breakout sessions. One of the most intriguing, however, would have to be Susan White. Susan is the Senior Writer and Editor of Weyo (it’s missing an accent on the ‘e’ – pronounced WAY-yo). Meaning, “see them” in Haitian Creole, Susan and her newly formed team want to see the nonprofit community a little clearer, and a little more often in print. After enough of dreary, depressing news, Susan collected a group of people interested in bringing good news – and news of those doing good – to a much brighter light. Check out their website for a little deeper dive – very clean design.

4) If this conference was over today, I would be satisfied.

5) I might want to live here when I’m all grown up. Sorry San Fransisco, I feel like I’m cheating on you…

Cheers,

Sam

“So much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.”

Willy Wonka

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Craigslist For Nonprofits

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 2nd, 2008

This is Darian, Exec. Director at the Craigslist Foundation.

Adrenaline (n) – A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that is released into the bloodstream; a response mostly related to being at the Nonprofit Congress.

5:45PM I am just leaving the “Craigslist ForNonprofits” breakout session. I can’t express how excited I am about this opportunity for the sector (or “community” as Flo expressed earlier today. Just a little less than ten (10) years ago, craigslist.org became craigslist.com When Craig started this whole thing, it was a NPO 501(c)(3). But then they started making a little bit too much money ($81 million with 28 employees. Do the math). After some paperwork, Craigslist became a for-profit entity and the Craigslist Foundation (Helping People Help) emerged.

Hopefully launching in fall ‘08, the Craigslist Foundation will be launching a version of the classic Craigslist site that will be tailored to the Nonprofit Community. Full of user-generated and peer-reviewed content, Project Entry Point will be more or less a clearinghouse for all things Nonprofit-related. Everything from how to start an organization to board governance will be on the page.

And I am honored to be on the Beta Tester team. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about this. So much happened today, I’ll do a little wrap-up tonight because I’m presumptuous enough to think you care enough to read it…

It’s three (3) back in Phoenix, but it’s almost dinnertime here in the District. Man, I’m hungry.

Cheers,
Sam
“Seek first to collaborate, only then to lead.”
Bill Clinton

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Marketing Is Fun!

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 2nd, 2008

4:00PM Just finished up a session with Bill Toliver from The Matleline. Fantastic stuff. So good that I asked him for the slides. So a futher breakdown is forthcoming, I’m still digesting. But the main message – formulate all messaging and story-telling around your value system, don’t cater or comprimise those values to make money from a specific demographic sector.

In other words, if you are the Humane Society, don’t put a direct marketing campaign into circulation with a picture of a dying dog. Why? That will only attract a small fraction of the people you want to reach (7% according to Bill). Instead, play to the fact that sixty (60) percent of homes have pets – and learn why. By doing that, the Humane Society increased the rate of response on their direct mail campaign by thirty (30) percent. Pretty decent, I’d say.

A session titled, “Craig’s List For Nonprofits” is up next. See you soon!

Cheers,

Sam

“A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.”

Robert Frost

Posted in Nonprofit Congress

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Lunch Is Over – Off To More

Posted By Samuel Richard on June 2nd, 2008

2:00PM – Ok, so I’m not as good behind the camera as Kelli, but I’m learning, ok? Back off.

Lunch just ended with small snipets of wisdom from Flo Green, Michael Weekes, Frank Lopez, Sheri Brady, and Rick Cohen. A fantistic group of people with a broad range of experience and wisdom to share with everyone in attendance.

This is Kim Fellner. We had a great discussion about intergenerational conversations. A couple big takeaways: 1) This “crisis” of a huge leadership shift (due to a large influx /outflux of Boomers) can be averted with responsible dialog and 2) the issue of intergenerational relations is a real issue, not something that can be neatly packaged in sterotypes and humorous quips.

Also, don’t forget that materials from workshops are available at the Nonprofit Congress website. Heck, even if you aren’t here in DC with us go check it out. You might learn something!