JLP Solutions

10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go

James Latour — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:41:50 +0000

Holding on is being brave, but letting go and moving on is often what makes us stronger and happier.

Here are ten signs it’s time to let go:

More Here

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Mark and Angel Hack Life

Practical Tips for Productive Living

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18 Truths to Start Telling Yourself

James Latour — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:02:36 +0000

This is your journey, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

Here are 18 truths to inspire, motivate and remind you that you aren’t confined by the boundaries others impose on you. You are in full control of your own life, starting today.

By:

Mark and Angel Hack Life

Practical Tips for Productive Living

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Four Books at Deep Discount offered by BlueAvocado.org

James Latour — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:20:16 +0000

AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL MARCH 23 AT 5PM PST

Two books signed to you (or whomever you choose) by the legendary Kim Klein:

Fundraising For Social Change by Kim Klein, 6th edition, 2011: If you are only going to read one fundraising book in your entire life, this is the one. A classic recently updated, this 400 page guide is used both as a university textbook and a field handbook. A soup to nuts guide to raising money from individuals, particularly for smaller organizations and those working for social justice. Normally $45, you can get your signed copy for only $26 plus shipping and handling.

35% off Kim Klein’s Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times . . . plus, Kim will sign it for you! (How cool is that . . . and it makes a unique gift.) This 2010 winner of the McAdam Book Award details how organizations can survive scandals, move from reliance on grants to a broad base of individual donors, and how to keep going without burning out staff and board. Written in Kim Klein’s acceessible, humorous, and very practical style. Normally $35 (unsigned), you can get a signed copy for only $20 plus shipping and handling.

To order either of Kim’s books, send a check (plus $5 each for postage and handling) payable to Klein and Roth Consulting, and send to same at 1904 Franklin St #517, Oakland, CA 94612. All books will be signed. Please specify if you want the book signed to a particular person or organization (what a cool gift!). Must be postmarked by Friday March 23, 2012.

20% off the Nonprofits Guide to Human Resources by Jan Masaoka. Nolo Press is offering our readers this book by Blue Avocado editor Jan for 20% off and you can choose either the traditional book or eBook. This definitive book offers sound, tested legal information on everything HR, including nonprofit-specific topics such as the board of directors’ role in HR, nonprofit compensation, and the HR of volunteers. Designed for executive directors, program managers, and the “Accidental HR” folks, this is “the essential how-to that should be on the desk of every manager,” says Jon Pratt of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. To order at this special, 4-day rate, use the promo code BLUE when you click here.

$8 off on The Lobbying Strategy Handbook: A textbook that not only students can use, Patricia Libby provides a 10-step framework that walks you through the elements of a lobbying campaign to change laws you think need changing. Case studies help illustrate the principles. And Pat (professor at University of San Diego) is letting Blue Avocado readers purchase the book for $33.60 plus S&H (that’s 20% off the regular $42.00 price). To order, email or visit www.sagepub.com. Be sure to use the N120309 code during checkout.

Source: BlueAvocado.org

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Two FREE Webinars offered by BlueAvocado.org

James Latour — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:08:26 +0000

AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL MARCH 23 AT 5PM PST

Top 10 Nonprofit Employment Law Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them): free webinar, presented by half of Blue Avocado’s Ask Rita, Ellen Aldridge. Based on Ellen’s work at the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group (so she knows the real scoop!), the webinar is designed for executive directors, management team members, and board members. April 17, from 11 am to 12 noon Pacific Time. Click here to register . . . don’t forget it’s free! Thanks to our sponsor, Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group.

Nonprofit Sustainability: Understanding and Changing Your Business Model in 90 Minutes free webinar. Too often program goals are discussed separately from financial means, although we all know that both must be discussed together. Jan Masaoka and Steve Zimmerman will present the methodology for doing so from the book they recently co-authored (with Jeanne Bell): Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability. On May 3, from 11:00am – 12:30pm Pacific Time Time) a fresh look at choosing the mix of programs, earned income, and donations that will be sustainable for your organization. Can be used as an adjunct to or substitution for traditional strategic planning. Click here by March 23 to register free.

Source: BlueAvocado.org

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Top 10 Website Mistakes Charities Make…And Quick Fixes You Can Implement Now

James Latour — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:17:28 +0000

By Rachel Berdan, rtraction
March 12, 2012

Charities make the world a better place, and they often do it on shoestring budgets with staff and volunteers who are already stretched thin. With the time, people and money these organizations have already dedicated to mission-critical work, it’s no wonder charities often make websites a low priority.

But they shouldn’t…..more here.

Get your Act Together: Changes to the Business of BC Nonprofits

James Latour — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:07:32 +0000

By Trina Isakson and Bronwen Barnett
March 12, 2012

Once upon a time…

The Society Act, the statute that provides the legal framework for the formation and governance of societies in BC, has not been substantially revised since 1977.

More here

Funding: The Next Generation

James Latour — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:09:56 +0000

By Jodie Shupac, Charity Village.com

February 27, 2012

Funding: The Next Generation:

Ontario Trillium Foundation explores new track with Youth Social Infrastructure:

http://bit.ly/xO9DkK

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