Archive for March, 2009

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told not to mix personal with professional. But that is exactly what we ask our volunteers and board members to do all of the time. How many of your top supporters ask their co-workers and business associates to partner with you?

Sometimes we get too caught up in segmenting and compartmentalizing our lives. If we have some good personal connections that make sense to help something you are doing take advantage of them. It is healthy for us to talk with each other about what is really happening in our lives personally and professionally, that’s is often what builds trust the very best.

Keep in mind that a healthy work and life balance is still vital. Just because you have friends that you work with doesn’t mean you should consistently overwork. Also, make sure that you continue to treat everyone with the same professional courtesy you always have used. You have to understand your personal and professional line for yourself and often you will know if you’ve crossed it.

Work is what you do more than anything else in your day so it’s important to find ways to be yourself while you’re on the job. What is your personal and professional line? How do you keep these areas of your life in check?

This is a joint post on Sandy Rees blog, Get Fully Funded.  She asked me to say a few words about how to get the word out and I thought I’d share it here as well.  I’m always open to joint posting let me know if you’d like me to guest post for you.

Getting the message about your nonprofit out is one of the most important things you can do for your organization.  Here are a few things you can do to enhance what your nonprofit is doing.

Getting Started- Approach a local chamber of commerce and ask if you can present to them about your nonprofit.  Get to know the businesses in your community by co-hosting a networking event with the chamber at your building.  If you are a faith-based organization (or even if you’re not) talk to the pastor at a couple of local churches and ask if you can present to their congregation.

Growing the Relationship- Use the relationships you’ve built and keep track of them.  Ask new donors to come for a tour or a special event you are having.  Your volunteers are one of the best groups to advocate for your mission.  Ask your volunteers & board members to invite their friends to connect to your organization.

The Technological Advantage- There are countless ways to spread the message about your good work using the Internet.  Don’t try and do everything just do one or two things well.  Start a Facebook page or use the Causes application.  Go to Razoo.org and start a fundraising page.  Start a blog, this is a great way to regularly communicate and interact with those that want to remain close to your organization.

There are a lot of great causes.  Don’t be afraid to get creative be a little competitive.