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Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Executive directors have to keep their eyes focused in two directions: out over the horizon and on the everyday running of the organization. Those two vantage points give you the opportunity to see areas in need of change. Your team is probably made up of individuals who dread change and […]
Julie Whelan Capell | In my many years as a fundraising consultant, one of the topics I am asked to present on the most frequently is how to make the “ask.” For board members in particular, it seems asking for money is the hardest part of their responsibilities. Never mind that actually asking for donations […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection, will come even more effective action.” – Peter Drucker We are constantly moving and thinking about what’s next. When we don’t pause to reflect, we often skip past the learning and miss opportunities to find strengths and wisdom we can […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Reflect for a moment on your experience with excellent leaders. What qualities did they have? Clear communication, ability to delegate, and good follow-up may be some things that come to mind. Did showing appreciation appear on your list? During my career I’ve filled various roles–leader, employee, consultant, board member, committee […]
Sarah Wilson, CPCC, ACC | I’m definitely a “glass half full” person. I remember in my freshman year in high school, my writing composition teacher, Chris Williamson, told me I had a “warm, sunny yellow personality and can-do attitude.” Last week, after just a few years have passed (no comments, please) her observation flashed into […]
Julie Whelan Capell | Have you thought about how inflation worries might impact year-end giving this year? According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “When finances get tight, donors tend to pare down the number of charities they support.” (Inflation-Recession worry fundraisers, 7/19/22) What can you do to make sure your organization stays at the top […]
Julie Whelan Capell | One of our most-requested board workshops here at MWA is on involving board members in fundraising. I always enjoy doing this workshop because I love hearing the sighs of relief when I say: “Not every board member needs to ask for gifts.” And that is the truth. Not everyone is cut […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | Will you be renewing your spirit through travel in these final weeks of summer? The MWA team is following our own advice and taking vacations over the upcoming weeks. Travel has so many benefits. It gets us out of our comfort zones. It recharges our batteries. It helps us better […]
Julie Whelan Capell | After reading Sara’s excellent three-part series on equitable hiring practices I realized there was more to say, specifically related to inclusive hiring for the development team. Anyone who’s been in fundraising for more than a minute or two knows that most fundraisers are white. In fact, in 2019, only about 13% […]
Sara Wilson, CPCC, ACC | We all have them. Reactions that occur in a flash. Perhaps something your colleague says triggers emotions resulting in a real blow-up, maybe your partner says something and you immediately shut down or storm out of the house. These reactions are often the result of a past situation or experience […]
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