Getting the Board to Ask More Questions

Is there a difference between a nonprofit’s “story” and its “elevator pitch?” Stacey has some thoughts. Also this week, we talk about criteria for a recognition wall, and a really big one: how the heck do you get boards to ask more (intelligent) questions!? Thanks for joining us this week, and please send your questions to questions@NonprofitEverything.com.

Emeritus Boards

Is there some use for emeritus boards? Stacey and Andy have thoughts! Also this week, a new nonprofit wonders what kind on insurance coverage they should have, we find out how to determine when a contribution should be officially received, and discuss how frequently a board chair should meet with the executive director (is quadrennially too often?) Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your nonprofit questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com!

A Better Holiday Party?

Have you just suffered through another boring, uninspiring office holiday party? Well your fellow listeners have a question crafted just for you: Is there a way to make the nonprofit holiday party into something good? Stacey and Andy have some thoughts! Also this week, Stacey answers a question about rules we should be following about board quorum (it’s not as boring as it sounds!) and we find out about all different kinds of financial audits. Thinking of getting us a present? Andy and Stacey asked Santa for questions, reviews and shares. See you in 2024!

Freshening Up a Mature Organization’s Story

Back again? Hello, it’s the Nonprofit Everything Podcast! This week Stacey has some thoughts about how to keep a fifty-year-old nonprofit’s story fresh. Also, we chat about consent agendas and what they’re used for, and Andy gets philosophical about synchronizing gifts in the donor management system and the accounting system. Thanks for joining us this week, and be sure to send your questions to questions@nonprofiteverything.com.

Can We Put Our Executive Director on Commission?

It’s the last episode of 2022 and we crammed in four whole questions! This week, Andy mentions about a few nonprofit-specific year-end accounting tasks (don’t worry, it’s short). We also answer a question about accidentally restricting donations, and talk up the benefits of a consent agenda for your board. Finally, we’re pretty sure someone lobbed us a question just to get us worked up for our end of year show.

Responding to Memorial Gifts

What’s the best way to respond to memorial gifts? Stacey has some (non-ghoulish) thoughts. Also this week, Andy and Stacey have a minor disagreement about whether or not a nonprofit job is good for a person looking to advance in their career, and we find out how to train up a brand-new board member!

New Manager is Too Quiet!

What are some board status quo things that need to change? Stacey has some ideas! Also, we have some strategies for helping a new manager that’s too quiet. Andy has thoughts on what financial policies are required, and we’ve included an encore answer (from June 2020) by Guest Expert John Waldron!

Topics:
  • What should we do to shake up a static board?
  • How do I handle a new manager that won’t speak up?
  • What financial policies should we have in place?
  • Taking a stand on social justice issues, with Guest Expert John Waldron (Encore!)

Managing Two Very Different Employees

What are the most important questions your board and staff should be able to answer about your organization? Stacey has some thoughts! Also, this week we talk about how to manage two very different employees, and continue our nonprofit startup conversation with a question about what a board member should look for in a startup nonprofit board.

Topics:
  • What questions about our organization should our board and staff be able to answer?
  • What should a prospective board member be looking for in a nonprofit startup?
  • How do I manage two employees who are completely different?

How are Nonprofits Handling the Pandemic?

How are nonprofits handling this unprecedented situation? We hear from nonprofit leaders Kate Hibbard Gaines from Three Square Food Bank, Jamie Weller-Lafavor from Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, and Heidi Parker from Immunize Nevada.

Topics:
  • What has been your response so far? – 0:00
  • How are you handling the drop-off in volunteers? – 10:49
  • We need to cancel our fundraising event. Any strategies or ideas to recover some of that revenue? – 16:20
  • Should we cancel our board meeting and strategic planning session? – 25:00
  • Strategies for nonprofits that are outside the health, education or human services space? – 31:23
  • What are you doing to adjust your asks? – 35:14