Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Is It The Money?

It’s an old truism that development is more than just fundraising.

In other words, you’re only doing part of the job if you’re laser-focused on the funds you’re going after.

Not that bringing in funds isn’t important – we won’t be here (tomorrow) if we don’t bring in funds (today).

But there’s more to life in the fundraising lane than chasing after immediate dollars.

Because there’s more to raising funds than raising cash.

Anyone who’s been in fundraising for awhile knows the importance of tending to relationships, expanding organizational visibility, and building the backbone of a cadre of askers. Among other big-picture agenda items.

But the $64,000 question is: how do you allocate your time, in an era of dwindling resources, to make sure you’re tending the roots of the garden?

And even more profound: how do you allocate the time of your advocates – your board, volunteers, committee members – to make sure the garden’s going to flourish a Spring or two away?

Relevant questions, in the (hopefully) waning days of winter 2011…

Friday, February 4, 2011

Fixing the Board

We’re getting a lot of calls these days to “fix the board.”

Mostly these calls are coming from staff, but sometimes it’s a frustrated new board leader on the phone.

Rarely is it the rank-and-file who’re the subject of the needed fix.

What’s my point?

That it’s about consensual governance.

That we’re not paid enough, any of us, to govern through hierarchy and strife – and that we need to create a climate that celebrates and encourages the best interests of the cause.

While the economy may be “rebounding” in some sectors, in many others, including our own, times are just as stressful as they’ve ever been. Board members are holding on tight, just as we are. Starting from a position that the board has been “lazy” or “uncooperative” or “unwilling” doesn’t call up the desired behavior, nor does it provide the stick that so many are hoping it will. People move towards light, because they see the reason why and they see the path how.

Someone once compared board-staff relations to a marriage, and here’s where I’m going to show my bias. The point is to get along and move closer to the goal – not to be right.

Get the garbage on the curb. Get the money in the door. Same idea…cooperating to create a path that works.