Two weeks ago at a leadership forum organized by Geoff Oxnam, vice president of operations at Easton Utilities Commission, and me as part of our effort to reconnect Leadership Maryland alumni on the Eastern Shore and Anne Arundel County and expose this first-class statewide leadership program to community leaders, the discussion evolved into the health and survival of non-profits in the Mid-Shore area.
By the way, Geoff graduated in 2010 and I in 2005 from Leadership Maryland, a program catering to leaders in the for-profit, non-profit and government sectors.
Perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised how the conversation evolved, since representatives and board members of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Habitat for Humanity, Wye River Upper School, Horn Point Lab, Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, Trinity Academy Forum, Benedictine School, and other organizations attended the forum.
Though fundraising is a critical concern for non-profits, attendees also expressed concern about messaging, marketing, salaries, board development and secession planning.
Leadership—how do you define it, why is it necessary, how do you develop it, how do you differentiate between authentic and superficial leaders, and how do you nurture it —obviously struck a nerve.
Even a discussion about millennials and their expectations in the work world and non-profit board participation drew thoughtful responses.
Having retired more than four years ago, I view volunteering as my primary activity. Hence, the state and value of non-profits matters to me, more than just writing a check.
I’ve heard bandied about the figure 250 in describing the breadth of non-profits in Talbot County. That’s an impressive number—and explains the competition for philanthropic dollars.
Our community benefits greatly from our diverse non-profits, whether they have environmental, social service, cultural, historic and animal-related purposes. We would be ill-served by a community lacking the services and opportunities offered by our often unnoticed non-profits.
In my experience, passion is the one overriding characteristic that marks non-profit leaders. It’s that passion that often overcomes salaries lower than offered in for-profit organizations.
This passion is inviting. Talk to an executive director/president, and you readily feel their professional and emotional investment in their organization’s mission and accomplishments. They seek constructive change in the community and work hard to attain it. Public credit is elusive.
My take is that non-profits need to be preserved and supported by all of us, according to our means and our time. Communities like Talbot County derive their strength and self-worth from its non-profits, not to speak of for-profit companies and academic institutions.
My experience is that our nonprofits generally have strong, committed and competent leaders, both paid and unpaid.
Discussion at our leadership forum raised the specter of consolidating non-profits with similar missions. Discussion touched upon consolidating “back-office” functions such as purchasing and accounting.
I sensed a real urgency in the room. I also sensed the need for non-profit leaders to meet periodically to discuss similar problems and craft possible solutions. Maybe this is happening, and I don’t know it.
And I sensed an urgent need for help in creating new fundraising strategies, perhaps through social media.
In other words, I now believe that a neutral organization, whatever that might be, has to step up and provide leadership in the form of being a source of ideas and creative thinking to enable vital non-profits to stay in business—and support our community’s needs.
While each non-profit works hard every day to provide services and opportunities for growth and recreation, an unbiased but knowledgeable perspective rooted in our community would be helpful.
One characteristic of leadership is listening—difficult for many people. Nonetheless, the voices spoken a few weeks ago at our Leadership Maryland event demand a response.
..
Kate Gallagher says
Thanks, Howard for another thoughtful and though-provoking piece.
The excellent and diverse nonprofits in the MidShore region are a major asset to our quality of life, and I gather, also to the success the region enjoys in attracting professionals and retirees not only as visitors/tourists but also as new residents.
Perhaps the nonprofits could get help from Chesapeake College and the community foundations in organizing a regional conference regarding new fundraising strategies?
Recent research shows that people who “do for others” have less depression and fewer complaints and describe themselves as happier than people who remain uninvolved in community life and/or are entirely focused on self-gratification … it seems that true happiness comes from trying to make others happy. Do area nonprofits have a way of cultivating involvement from young people in our region? Building a base of future nonprofit leaders might also be helpful in bringing new fundraising strategies to the forefront..
Barbara Viniar says
I love the idea of a regional conference for non-profits, perhaps picking up on the broader array of issues that came up at the Leadership Maryland session.
Some time after commencement I will see if there is a group of leaders willing to plan such an event.
Kathy Bosin says
It was a terrific conversation – thanks for inviting me, Howard! I agree there’s a hunger for connection and a forum for nonprofits to share ideas. I was lucky enough to sit in on the Board Chair Roundtable a week ago, and saw how a safe, confidential group was able to lend support among our region’s nonprofit leadership. I think a forum for Executive Directors, and board members in general would help us all to know more about what everyone’s doing, collaborate more effectively and share good ideas and best practices. I’d love to help plan it.