Criminal for a Day

This week, Stacey crushes the dreams of a board member hoping to avoid a volunteer assignment, we find out what due diligence an org should do before hiring an executive director, and some strategies to prevent burnout from psychically heavy work. Andy gives Stacey tips on how to steal money, and we discuss the ever-confusing Vice President position on the board.

Topics:
  • Can a board member be a volunteer? – 0:00
  • Avoiding burnout from psychically demanding jobs – 2:48
  • Due diligence when hiring an Executive Director – 9:22
  • Preventing fraud – 17:14
  • Do we need a Vice President position? – 24:37

More Drunk at the Gala

This week, we learn the difference between outputs and outcomes, and Stacey offers some great advice about grant reporting. We also tackle the advisory board question once again, and by request, we actually share some drunk at the gala stories.

Topics:
  • Outputs vs Outcomes
  • Alcohol Policies for Fundraising Staff
  • Grant Reporting Templates
  • Advisory Board Advice

Drunk at the Gala

This week, we find out if you can send a donor to collection for failing to honor a pledge, and Stacey has some great advice about attending a donor’s funeral. We also attempt to clear up the confusion between Trustees and Directors, and tap guest expert Karen Durkin, Executive Coach at Houldsworth, Russo & Company to answer a really hard question about how to keep staff from freaking out after an executive gets the axe.

Topics:
  • Enforceable Pledges
  • Attending a Donor’s Funeral
  • Trustees vs. Directors
  • Handling a High-Profile Firing/Departure, with Karen Durkin

Survivor’s Guilt

Is there a difference between an Director and a Trustee? Stacey knows. We also find out what questions an internal candidate for Executive Director should ask, and hear from guest expert Kevin Dincher on how to motivate unmotivatable employees.

Topics:
  • How does a board member resign?
  • Questions an internal candidate can ask when applying for the Executive Director job
  • Motivating a team for a technology change

Bitcoin?

How can an Executive Director tell if she’s about to be fired? We have some thoughts. Stacey provides some useful information on how to prepare for a regional expansion, as well as how to cope with high employee turnover. We also give a bunch of information about potential bitcoin and cryptocurrency donations.

Galas for Salaries

Not all questions are happy ones: this week, we find out how to deal with donations when you’re closing a regional office. But on a happier note, Stacey has ideas on how to write grants that pay for salaries and Andy gives you audit prep tips. We discuss whether or not the ED and Board Chair can be the same person, as well as the technical difference between a mission and a vision.

Stickiness and Friction

Should you hire a development director or grant writer first? Or is that even the right question? Stacey knows. Also, we discuss great year-end reflection activities, and bring back our guest Greg Wilken of Endunamo Consulting, who tells us we were way too soft on the ED and Board Member relationship question.