Last week my alma mater announced the creation of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management, featuring monthly seminars focused on the nonprofit community.  The opening event was a one-day conference where leaders of about a dozen organizations offered their views on what has made them successful, focusing heavily on board relations, fundraising and overall management strategies:

• Theresa Bischoff, CEO of American Red Cross, Greater NY suggested “getting the best people – they will make you successful.”  In addition, “learn from everyone in your organization – teachers are everywhere.”
• Sister Paulette LoMonaco, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Services, also emphasized the importance of building a strong team, “don’t be afraid to have people on your team that know more than you.”  She also asked that any new programs be strictly evaluated to make sure they relate to the organization mission.
• Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, President, Hispanic Federation, suggested asking good questions, but “at an appropriate time”;  she also stressed the importance of public speaking and stretching your comfort zone.
• David Jones, President / CEO, Community Service Society, pointed out that the distinctions between for-profit and not-for-profit are starting to blur and described his efforts to reshape his organization’s board
• Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service and former NYC mayoral candidate spoke despite having a horrible cold.  Following up on David’s comments, she mentioned how many of us will move back and forth between for-profit and nonprofit, thus the importance of transferable skills.  In fundraising, she advised that we ask prospects for a specific amount of money based on our best judgment of what they can give, andthen do not speak. Finally, Ruth asked that board members understand their fiduciary responsibility, not simply joining because they are friends with the Executive Director.
• Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, CEO, Safe Space and past commissioner of several NYC agencies, said that sometimes it might be worthwhile to take a cut in pay to take a good opportunity
• Ronna Brown, President, NY Regional Association of Grantmakers, discussed how the board’s role is to rock the boat;  usually the staff wants to keep things as they are.
• Lucy Cabrera, President / CEO, Food Bank for New York City: “Board members are your bosses, not your friends.”  She advised getting to know your board personally (“take them to lunch individually”) and added that changing one board person can dramatically change board dynamics and decisions
• Darwin Davis, President, NY Urban League, advised to ‘give your best, no matter what job you have’ and to establish relationships with other department heads (not just your boss).  He also got probably the biggest laugh of the day by reminding us that working for a 501(c)3 doesn’t mean leaving at 5:01 PM.
• Linda Selvin, Executive Director, NY Branch of International Dyslexia, followed up on Ruth’s comments, saying that the board’s purpose is not primarily to agree with the ED.  She also suggested getting to know each board member individually to “understand what each if passionate about.”  Interestingly, she pointed out how there may be more opportunity to shine by joining a struggling organization, as she did 8 years ago .

Congratulations to Jack Krauskopf, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Mangement, for coordinating such an inspiring program.  Since there wasn’t much mention at the conference of ephilanthropy or how nonprofits have successfully implemented online strategies, can I help with a follow up event on this topic?