JL Pacifco Community Solutions

What would you say are the 3 top components of a nonprofit strategic plan?

James Latour — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:03:48 +0000

I was recently part of an online discussion for this question.Excellent question. It is my experience that many NPO Boards lack the experience to know what their actual responsibilities and liabilities are. So as ED’s/Consultants it is our job to help them access that information. I say “access” because it causes them to do the work for themselves. This is an excellent thing because both you and the Board can see which members are really there to do the work that needs to be done. This can then “filter out” Board Members who are not really active in any plan. So once you have them “educated” and “committed” you then once again give them the “access” to learning the value and process of having a strategic plan. Remember that as ED you are NOT a Board Member (only ex-officio), you are an employee or contractor who reports TO the Board. It is their job do to this work. However, you can be the one to help them along by providing opportunities for learning, vision and dreams from your employed/contracted team (I believe a strategic plan must include the entire team, otherwise there is no buy in), and in a gentle way keep them accountable for and to that plan, just as it is their job to keep you accountable for your part in that plan. It’s all about TEAM WORK. Too often the ED is left doing the job of the Board. Take the initiative and give the Board the opportunity to see how important these things are. Those who really care will step up to the plate. Those who don’t will be weeded out naturally and when you have a Board who is really on “board” you will have momentum like you can never imagine.

Get Organized: 8 Questions To Kick Off Your Fundraising

James Latour — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:53:05 +0000

Before you plan your 2012 fundraising strategy, answer these 8 questions with your team to discover where your challenges and opportunities lie.

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth – Practical Tips for Productive Living

James Latour — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:22:23 +0000

Scientists have suggested that, with a little willpower, it takes roughly 30 days for a person to form a new habit. As with mastering anything new, the act of starting and getting beyond the preliminary stage where everything feels awkward is 80% of the battle. This is precisely why it’s important to make small, positive changes every day over the course of at least a 30 day period.

Full Article Here

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

James Latour — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:41:01 +0000

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started: Full Article

Office Bullying! A Dark Secret.

James Latour — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:18:08 +0000

Who Me? A Bully?

By Susan Fish
December 15, 2011

Are you a “tell it like it is” guy? Are you a “get the job done” gal? Or, are you a bully?

Most office bullies are completely unaware that their behaviour is being perceived as bullying. Roy Johnson, founder and president of Vancouver-based The Neutral Zone Coaching and Consulting Services Inc. that specializes in bully rehabilitation, says that half of his executive coaching clients come to him at the request of their boards or staff; when he describes a situation where the client was perceived to be bullying, “80% of time they are genuinely surprised.”

Most supervisors of people accused of bullying are equally unaware — people who act like bullies do in fact get the job done and look like high-functioning leaders. The problem is that they leave destruction in their wake, which can be extremely costly in the long run to an organization as well as to the people who are their targets.

So, what’s a bully?

Full Story

How to Bring Your Board to the Cloud – A Case Study

James Latour — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:45:02 +0000

By: Kristen Scott, Managing Director at the Bhutan Canada Foundation

Anyone who works with a Board of Directors knows that there are considerable challenges when it comes to keeping members up-to-date and engaged between meetings. In some cases, you may face the additional challenge of having a board that is spread across Canada, North America or even the world.

Full Story HERE

VolunteerMatters: Yes they do! But how best to manage them?

James Latour — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:17:07 +0000

Posted November 17th, 2011 by Fanny Martin
Online Collaboration, Volunteer Management, VolunteerMatters

One of the areas we’re working on is to provide more insight into the products in our donations program, so you can make a more informed choice. Starting this month, we’ll be trying out our new products and blogging about our experience. Today you’ll hear from Fanny Martin, one of our new Accounts Managers here at TechSoup Canada. Enjoy! – Tierney

Bottom lines benefit when social reporting is embraced!!!!

James Latour — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:11:48 +0000

The Globe and Mail – Opinion!

by EDWARD WAITZER

http://bit.ly/vngfSu

Do you need to schedule your tweets?

James Latour — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:22:28 +0000

Try Twuffer!

300 Kids IS too many!!!!

James Latour — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:14:27 +0000

Although I don’t use my business for political agendas. I have to agree with Rick Mercer. Those of us who ARE gay need to be role models to our kids! I am blessed to have three wonderful kids of my own. They have a gay Dad – so what you say? Well they have been bullied for it. I know that. They are the most awesome, supportive, open-minded kids I know. But some kids aren’t like that! They are BULLIES. Adults it is OUR responsibility to stop this stupidity – STOP IT! Teach our children that just because someone looks different, acts different, they are still part of us. When a kid kills himself, he kills a part of us!

See what Rick says here and pass it on! Do something! Make a difference! You may just save a kid’s life! Hell it may even be your own kid!

Thanks Rick!

http://bit.ly/vcCwmX