E-Newsletter                                       September 2011

 

 

In This Issue
Change at the Top -- Risks & Opportunities
FoodBank Seeks New ED
New ED at Drumthwacket
Book Corner: The Progress Principle
RFP: Queens Council on the Arts
Tweets for Thought
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New Jersey Social Entrepreneurship Summit


Come and learn best practices in social entrepreneurship, get connected to resources and like minded others.

 

Wednesday, October 19th

8:30 - 5:00

 

New Jersey  

Performing Arts Center

Newark, NJ

 

Early bird registration is $25   

 

Change at the Top - Risks and Opportunities


  What Does the Research Say?   

  

The findings from the latest Daring to Lead study from CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and the Don CrockerMeyer Foundation are sobering. Why sobering?  Because while we work with many engaged boards and funders who are helping to strengthen the executive leadership of the sector, there are many others who do not realize the extent of the issues or are not aware of potential solutions.  This national study reflects the trends we see here in the tri-state area, and their recommendations also mirror best practices we have found to work. 

  

Several aspects of nonprofit leadership are explored, but here we focus on highlights relating to Executive Transitions, a growing part of our work:

  • As reported in previous Daring to Lead studies, the large majority of executive directors --67% in 2011-- report that they will be leaving their jobs within the next five years. And an additional 7% have already given notice.  Executive and boards are still reluctant to talk proactively about succession and just 17% of organizations have a documented succession plan.
  • 33% percent of current executives followed a leader who was fired or forced to resign, indicating the frequency of mis-hires and unclear expectations between boards and executives across the sector.
  • Many boards see executive transition ending with a successful hire. And many new leaders in the study were challenged by establishing effective partnerships with their boards. These executives were confounded by the lack of strategy, resources, and personal support they got from their boards.     

The author's "Calls to Action" include strategies that will help prepare for these executive departures, and ensure healthy transitions and productive, effective, and satisfied new leaders: Read more... 

   

FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Seeks Executive Director     

FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is searching for a new Executive Director.  Click here for the full position description. The FoodBank's mission is to provide access to food for as many people in need as possible in the neighborhoods it serves. 

 

The FoodBank retained the Support Center to assist with Executive Search and Transition Management services.  On a parallel track, we are also facilitating a strategic planning process for them that will position their future work.

Drumthwacket Foundation Selects Robyn Tromeur Brenner as New Executive Director


The Support Center congratulates the Drumthwacket Foundation--the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey--on the selection of its new Executive Director, Robyn Tromeur Brenner. 

 

In assuming responsibility for the residence, Governor and Mrs. Christie formulated a new vision for Drumthwacket as a means to offer wider outreach and engagement of New Jerseyans.  This new direction provided a remarkable window of opportunity to achieve significant, near term organizational results, but it also required systemic rethinking of Drumthwacket's current  programming, operations and funding as well as a change in leadership.  Working with the Support Center in its search to find a new executive director has helped Drumthwacket to produce a more engaged board that has a commitment to the mission and vision and a means for achieving its goals. Read more... 

Book Corner: The Progress Principle 

 

The Progess Principle

 

Following on the heels of Inner Work Life: Understanding the Subtext of Business Performance, Harvard Business Review's authors Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer have written The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement and Creativity at Work.  The authors' research and findings are particularly useful to us in the nonprofit sector as we are generally engaged in meaningful work, which is a strong motivator.  But as a sector, we are typically not as strong in supporting employees with the right tools, clear organizational goals and professional development options.

 

This book offers many useful ideas--and data--that point to what we can stop and start doing to make our work lives more satisfying. The single most important take-away from the book is that leaders can improve morale by helping employees feel they are making progress at work!  This book was recommended by the fabulous Dan Pink of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us--his books are both enjoyable and spark good insights.

 

 

RFP: Queens Council on the Arts    

Queens Council on the Arts works to foster and develop the arts in Queens County, and is currently accepting applications for its two grant programs:

The Queens Arts Fund provides grants to Queens-based individual artists and non-profit organizations offering distinctive arts and cultural programming that directly serves the citizens of Queens.

 

The Queens Arts in the Schools Grant (AIS) provides grant support for collaborations between schools and cultural organizations that focus on the creation and implementation of arts integrated units of study.

 

For more information on the programs and application, please click here.

Tweets for Thought 


Learn how your work-life might benefit from 'cyberloafing" and volunteering, but not necessarily at the same time! Also, if you're involved in communications at your nonprofit, here are some tips for making your content more varied and interesting to your readers.  

 

To find more great resources, follow us on Twitter by clicking here: Follow us on Twitter  and feel free to share any of your favorites on our blog!
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