Every nonprofit needs internal and external ambassadors
|
|
by F. Duke Haddad, associate director of development, The Salvation Army Indiana Division, NonProfit PRO contributor
An ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity, according to Google's English dictionary. An example of the term used in a sentence is “He is a good ambassador for the industry.”
Every person who works for a nonprofit or is associated with an organization internally is an ambassador of that organization by virtue of association. As an employee of The Salvation Army, I wear, with pride, a shirt with the logo of The Salvation Army. Volunteers also wear clothing that signifies an association with the organization.
People who see that clothing assume an ambassador relationship exists. Nonprofits should continually train and provide orientation to employees that states how they should act as ambassadors to the various publics they serve. Internal representatives should constantly and profoundly provide positive reinforcement. In addition to the internal ambassador notation, every nonprofit needs to continually recruit external ambassadors.
The mission ambassadors are changing the way nonprofits tell their stories, according to Fluxx. These brand ambassadors believe in the mission, goals and values of the organizations they represent. These people are the employees, volunteers, board members and community advocates that support your mission. These ambassadors volunteer their time, sit on boards, donate money, attend events and do what is necessary to propel the institution forward.
Mission ambassadors personalize your nonprofit. They help emotionally connect with your donors and supporters, but can assist your nonprofit in other ways, such as posting on social media, networking or speaking in public and writing blog posts. Your mission ambassadors fight for the organizational mission to be heard universally.
An Arizona State University publication provided research that noted board members and volunteers are not effective as community ambassadors for organizations because they do not know what the concept means. In addition, they do not have what is needed to start and do not understand why they need to do what you are asking them to do.
To transform volunteers into true ambassadors for your organization, you need to ask them to consider doing several of the following activities on your nonprofit’s behalf.
|
|
Professionals share insights on how continuing education in law impacts their careers and organizations
|
|
by Miki Pike Hamstra, assistant dean of graduate programs, IU McKinney School of Law
Many professionals find it invaluable to gain knowledge of the law and how it intersects with their entity’s efforts. While some choose to pursue a traditional law degree to gain that information, there is an alternative.
The IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law offers a Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) degree that demonstrates you don’t need a law degree to gain that skill set. Students and recent graduates of the program share why they chose it.
Ebonye M.J. Crowe, a dual-degree student and grade-level administrator at MSD Warren Township Schools, found that the M.J. degree offered more than she originally envisioned. “My initial intention was to gain knowledge of the law and pair it with my urban education studies to help me to be better informed of law and policy in my role,” Crowe said. “However, I’m learning it’s BIGGER than that! My law and UES classes are the perfect pairings. They complement one another very well and will provide me the foundational knowledge I need to understand the big picture and think more critically.”
Carolyn Dawson, a 2021 graduate of IU McKinney’s M.J. program, found that the degree has given her invaluable insights as part of her work in the contract grant service line as a research administrator pre-award at Regenstrief Institute. “I was looking for something challenging that I could use and transfer into any field I continued to work in,” Dawson said. “I wanted something that would help me look at things differently than the way I saw the world and force me to look at the bigger picture.”
Another IU McKinney graduate, Keva Ropp, shared that her M.J. studies, which she completed in 2020, helped her be a better student advocate in her role as the assistant director of finance in the department of medicine at the IU School of Medicine. “I believe my M.J. degree has been a great factor in being more educated and aware of changes in the law,” Ropp said. “It allows me to be a better advocate for the students that I encounter, my colleagues that I work with, and the IUPUI community that I support.”
|
|
IU McKinney School of Law and Purdue University introduce new agriculture degree
by Miki Pike Hamstra, IU McKinney School of Law
Agriculture is an enormous business enterprise in Indiana and as with any economic endeavor, legal knowledge is a vital part of supporting it. Issues can be as varied as drainage, probate concerns, environmental issues, food safety, technology, patents, and many more.
IU McKinney and Purdue University have teamed up to create the first Master of Jurisprudence /Master of Science (M.J./M.S.) in agricultural economics in the nation. This effort capitalizes on both institutions’ signature specialties — law and agriculture — to provide a foundation in agricultural law. Purdue’s agricultural economics expertise offers an in-depth understanding of the food system’s economics and the concepts and theories required to make effective decisions in a dynamic industry. IU McKinney’s legal training emphasizes understanding regulatory oversight, administrative agencies’ roles, policy questions, and transactional structures.
|
|
Christel House International has hired David Harris as executive vice president. Harris previously served as a partner for City Fund, an organization that partners with local leaders to create innovative school systems.
|
|
Leadership Indianapolis has hired Beth Perdue Outland as vice president. Outland previously was vice president of community engagement and strategic innovation at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
|
|
School on Wheels has promoted Arielle Hirt to volunteer manager. Hirt most recently served as the organization’s volunteer coordinator.
|
|
Child Advocates has promoted Jill English to chief race equity officer. English previously was the program director for interrupting Racism for Children program director.
|
|
Indiana Humanities has named Jackelinna Rodriguez as communications manager. Rodriguez previously was marketing and communications manager at the Immigrant Welcome Center.
|
|
Indiana Humanities has named Sam Opsahl as programs associate. Opsahl most recently served as a site director for the YMCA and an editorial assistant at the Indianapolis Public Library.
|
|
Healthy Hamilton County and Hamilton County Systems of Care have announced a merger, allowing the two organizations combine their efforts in addressing community gaps in health and well-being for Hamilton County youth and families. The name of the new organization is A Healthier Hamilton County: Systems of Care. Read
Indianapolis-based Meridian Foundation has announced that applications are open for a new award, the Arago Honors. The Arago Honors celebrates innovation in the nonprofit sector. Each of the top three winners will be awarded $10,000 in 2021. Apply before Sept. 15. Read
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis has announced the availability of education funds through the Lauter Family Scholarship, a $10,000 endowed scholarship managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). The scholarship will support deserving club members with their continuing education.
The Center for Community Progress has announced that Prosperity Indiana is among the first cohort of scholarship winners through its new Land Bank Incubator Scholarship Program. Land banks are special entities, created by state legislation, that are granted unique legal powers to effectively tackle vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties consistent with community priorities. Read
Renew Indianapolis has received the maximum Community Development Financial Institution Fund Rapid Response Program grant amount, $1,826,265, for each of its two certified CDFIs, the Edge Fund and the Build Fund. Read
Looking to hire? Be a vendor at the IUPUI Part-Time Job Fair on Sept. 2, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m, at IUPUI Taylor Hall Courtyard, 830 W. Michigan St. Register
DONATION: Two tan leather office chairs. Must pick up. Call Gretchen at (317) 574-1600, ext. 100.
|
|
The Junior League of Indianapolis is hosting its annual Community Open House for Central Indiana nonprofits on Aug. 5 to provide attendees an opportunity to learn about the organization’s grant and volunteer opportunities. Read
“My Time Will Come: A Memoir of Crime, Punishment, Hope and Redemption” by Ian Manuel book club from Aug. 5 & 19 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Participants will receive a free copy of the physical book and be invited to a private, in-person event with Ian Manuel this fall. Hosted by Leadership Indianapolis. Cost: $25. Register
Eleven Fifty Academy is hosting informational sessions on Aug. 11, 14 and 28, from 9-11 a.m. at Martin University. Attendees will learn how residents in 46218 area can participate in a part-time web development and IT professional courses on-site at Martin University. Register
Worlds apart 2.0: Gaps in life expectancy in Central Indiana on Aug. 26 from 9-11 a.m. In Savi Talks, participants will review gains or losses in life expectancy among residents since the initial study. The study analyzes underlying social factors and how it impacts one’s life course. Hosted by SAVI. Cost: Free. Register
Public safety & criminal justice three-part series in September. Attendees will learn about programs created to prevent recidivism for the formerly incarcerated, engage with leaders of initiatives that provide community support and hear from community workers involved in efforts to repair relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Cost: $30. Hosted by Leadership Indianapolis. Register
Together IRL (in real life) symposium on Oct. 5-6. In addition to discussions on closing the racial wealth gap, and faith and action, the symposium features a dinner and a fireside chat with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and Lilly Endowment CEO Clay Robbins as they discuss the importance of government and philanthropy working together. Hosted by Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute. Cost: $75-$200 IPA members/$100-$350 nonmembers. Register
|
|
Talent Acquisition: Trends in a Post-Pandemic World webinar on Aug. 12, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Participants will receive key tips on attracting key staff in a highly competitive market and gain insights on how to increase process efficiency and reduce barriers through the selection process. Join Charitable Advisors' quarterly HR Nonprofit Peer Group as Chelsea DuKate from Red Envelope Consulting shares best practices for hiring the right talent. Cost: Free. Register
|
|
A Lilly Family School of Philanthropy long-term study has shown a drop in donations from 66 percent in 2000 to 49 percent in 2018. The report attributed the shift, in part, to a growing mistrust of institutions, especially among millennials.
|
|
For most boards, succession planning involves scrambling to find a replacement, overpaying, accepting a risky outsider or promoting unqualified staff. The companies that do it right – as measured by bottom-line results – seem to share these 10 best practices.
|
|
Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
|
|
|
FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEETING ROOM OR EVENT SPACE
|
|
|
Space available for nonprofit in Fountain Square area
Rental spaces available for nonprofits in newly renovated 6,200-square-foot building at 2119 Prospect St. Available as a single space or two spaces with designated entrance and bathrooms, HVAC and common areas, with parking in an adjacent lot. Buildout to suit. Contact Harold Miller, 317-753-2034.
|
|
Executive
Development
Administrative/Management/Leadership
Marketing/Communications/Events
Human Resources
Information Technology
Programs
Account Management/Business Development
Teaching
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|