Recovering Executive Director

This past week or two, I have been listening to several interviews with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook Chief Operating Officer and author of the bestselling " Lean In " book. She has cowritten a new book called " Option B " following the death of her husband, just released this week.  I have the book and I can't wait to read it!  But beyond the book, she is calling for a movement, for all of us to build resilience and help others build theirs.  She and her co-author have created a nonprofit organization called OptionB.org to provide tools to build resilience.  Visitors can share their own personal stories, join online support groups and find information from experts. Of course we can all use some support if we faced with difficult circumstances or choices, sometimes because of something we have pursued but other times simply because life happens. Life is beautiful in all of its complexities and riches, and sorrow and disappointment as well. They are all learni...

The past week, I have been thinking a lot about my own background and why I do the work I do; teaching about nonprofits and helping nonprofits get stronger to fulfill their mission.  I love everything I have the privilege of doing. Today, I read about an interesting partnership which brought three aspects of my own life together: faith, education, and service.  The University of Ottawa is partnering with the Ottawa Mission , a homeless shelter, St. Paul University , and First Baptist Church to offer "Discovery University".  This experience is a true partnership where non-credit courses are taught by university professors and all textbooks and course materials are provided at no cost to the students. From the press release , "the courses are real gifts of hope that will enlighten the life of many individuals".  This is faith in action.  This is social justice in action. This is service in action.  I am a proud alum of the University of Ottawa and ev...

Don't be scared! This Wednesday, I will be giving a workshop called "Executive Director 101 ".  What I wanted to call it was "Everything I wish I would have known but didn't when I started my first Executive Director job" but that's a little too long. I half jokingly say I was hired to be an Executive Director for the first time because I had three important qualities (in no priority order):  I didn't need medical insurance, I was willing to do it for the meager salary, and I was willing to learn on the job.  I had some skills and education but none of that really prepared me to lead a small nonprofit organization, more or less by the seat of my pants. I thought what the organization needed was my stellar marketing and communication skills, which I felt confidently about.  What I realized is that marketing and communications are only effective when you have your story straight, that the organization is on solid ground financially, and you hav...