I-Newsletter Archives-Community Connections

The Philanthropist Goes Prime Time But the Principles Remain the Same (July 2009)

Hands on, high touch, eyeball-to-eyeball - however you want to characterize it, the way you make a difference for your organization, charity, non-profit (and likely your business too) is just that - it’s about getting close and personal with the places you may want to invest in or those you’re asking for money.

The new NBC series “The Philanthropist” follows a man who set off to figure life out. Philanthropy was his answer. But the “character” is based after Bobby Sager, a businessman who often shared his concept of eyeball-to-eyeball philanthropy. A businessman who went through a gradual transformation from amassing lots of the luxuries of life to realizing that wasn’t the way he wanted to spend the rest of his life. (Find out more about his story at TeamSager.org.)

Sager’s gift to us are the important reminders for the nonprofit - get close to people and make a connection. Inspired Connections would translate that as - don’t get caught up in your mailing listt - work the phone, send a card, visit people. Share news when you don’t need anything, because when you do, they’ll remember you. Forget how many friends you have on your Facebook page (unless you have lots of events and would like to reach out to the demographics Facebook offers you….but if your audience is “not that” - don’t waste your time).

The key to doing a good job, Sager says, isn’t just money, but contacts, clout and persuasive skills. Sure he’s telling that to the philanthropists…but those “asking” need to understand what this means and engage those interested in giving along the same lines. Don’t always look for those with money, but those willing to influence and invite others to participate. And don’t just build a one-dimensional relationship – that of a check being written once a year. How far will that take you?

Setting off on this philanthropic quest had a dual purpose for Mr. Sager – not just to “do good” but to build a more quality life for himself and his family – a sustainable one that improved their lives. While not all donors would be able to articulate that, let alone live it, why couldn’t the nonprofit take this quest on? How can you help your donors - the corporation, foundation or individual - realize some level of improvement in their existence? It could undoubtedly enhance the relationship into a longer term, more satisfying one. It may also have a trickle impact to get that donor to incorporate such practices in other places it gives. Why not be an organization that shakes things up. Our community sure needs it. Rising tides could raise more ships. You can’t be the only successful nonprofit – that won’t last. Sustaining the entire sector is key to serve the diverse populations, missions and causes we all find value in.

Mr. Sager says giving in this way is the way to the fullest life. Don’t do it overnight. Take steps toward the greater outcome. He has spent time spreading his concept to other foundations and they’re already abandoning their checkbook philanthropy and getting more involved in their cause.

Inspired note: For more on this style of philanthropy, look for Mr. Sager’s book coming out later this year from Chronicle Books – The Power of the Invisible Sun.

 

Living the Golden Rule Creates a Caring Community (May 2009)
By Louann Phillips

"If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

When we see someone fall, our first response is to help them up. If a friend buys lunch, chances are likely that you will do the same for them next time. If we find a lost animal, we take it in and care for it so it does not get hurt.

The "golden rule" or the "ethic of reciprocity" is a common human characteristic. Whether your belief system stems from Christianity or Buddhism, Sikhism or Hinduism, we all have an innate belief in reciprocity. Some would even say it is the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights.

At a time when our world is in turmoil, the concept of a "caring community" is growing within Phoenix as well as throughout our country. Perhaps this shift has come about as a result of the economic crisis; perhaps it’s evolving as a way to sustain us. Even President Obama recently challenged the graduates at ASU to redefine what success looks like. Instead of the corner office, consider the nonprofit down the street. Instead of the new car, consider pursuing work in the green industry.

We’ve gathered a few glimpses of how a caring community may be taking hold around us and they each represent opportunity and room to participate.

• If you care about those in need, be sure to visit the Arizona State Fairgrounds on May 28 for the "Choose to Help - Golden Rule in Action"  event from 3-8 p.m. It’s free to attend, but the information you receive will be invaluable. All Valley nonprofits have been invited to come together and share what they need from people in our community – be it volunteers, funding or just awareness.

• Right on the corner of 12th Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Phoenix, life is starting anew for individuals who have spent years behind bars, those overcome by mental illness or the neighbor you used to have that lost everything when the economy took a dive. The Human Services Campus (HSC) is the center of more than 15 nonprofits working to end everything from homelessness to hunger. I recently had the opportunity to interview a man who had been homeless, addicted to drugs and in prison for 22 years. He is now one of the first people you meet at the Lodestar Day Resource Center on the Campus. When you talk to Clarence, he’ll tell you it just takes one person caring for another to break the cycle of homelessness. Learn more by visiting onestepawayaz.org.

• Social media is fast becoming a place for convening – and not just to share what you did this weekend, but for what you care about. Join us on Facebook and tell us what you think is a caring community or how you’re living it in your own life.

• Not far away from the HSC, community, life is bustling in the central Phoenix core. For instance, The Community Porch has virtually popped up as a way to serve people from all walks of life in a community environment that supports the body, mind and spirit. Co-founders Claudia Bullmore and Devorah Medwin are beginning a Summer Salon Series starting June 1. Their first speaker is Dr. Ray Ristorcelli. Dr. Ray will share insights and research to help you make clearer decisions and minimize the negative impact stress has on your body. Make a reservation or get added to their email distribution list by emailing Claudia at wellbydesign@hotmail.com.

• Are you a local business owner? Did you know that when you shop locally owned businesses, your money is re-circulated multiple times and creates up to 75 percent more tax revenue to our community and state? For a taste of the local business community, join Local First AZ at an upcoming Member Mixer or get a group of friends together and "Wrap the Night" in a local experience of dining, arts and culture.

So, whether you choose to engage, change the conversation or simply reach out and make someone’s day a bit brighter, the small spark needed to ignite optimism and sprout new hope and possibilities starts with you.

 

 

Concepts in Collaboration: The Odd Couple that Worked (April 2009)
By Louann Phillips

When I think of collaboration, some likely and unlikely pairings come to mind – Oscar and Felix of The Odd Couple, the Super Bowl and the Arizona Cardinals, the YMCA & JCC of Greater Toledo and the Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas.

Why do I mention the last two groupings? Because out of 644 U.S.-based nominations to the inaugural Collaboration Prize, they were both announced as winners of the $250k prize funded by The Lodestar Foundation for their ability to successfully merge and leverage resources, and serve as models for others in the nonprofit sector.

The Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas was created from the merger of three separate entities that each had challenges with aging exhibits, declining attendance, and financial shortfalls. The combined entities now have the ability to attract national exhibits, offer programming in one location to serve a variety of audiences and enhance operations.

The YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo also had financial challenges operating as single entities. They not only competed for dollars, but had similar faith-based missions. As the two entities combined, the resulting merger allowed the broader community to learn and embrace each entities faiths as well as reduced competing outreach to the same donors.

I had the opportunity to attend the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation’s 11th Annual Forum on Nonprofit Effectiveness in early March, where these two models of nonprofit collaboration were announced. So what’s the big deal? Since the dawn of time, collaborations have existed as a means for separate entities to “work jointly with others in some endeavor” (as defined by the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law).

The big deal is that many times, separate entities working together are much more efficient than when working alone. But we would suggest that these economic times are dramatically shifting the realities of simply “teaming up” on a project or program to receive a grant or funding dollars. Critical to a fruitful partnership is the ability to keep the core constituents served and doing what is best for the greater community. Can you imagine the possibilities?

Inspired Connections has been fortunate to work with one nonprofit that has seen its way successfully through two fully-integrated mergers. One program has morphed into the group’s biggest community offering and funding source; the second is yet to be fully realized. Sometimes the process is slow. Sometimes paths change. But if your board and leadership go in with open eyes, the possibilities are great. Click here for a pdf of the April 9 Chronicle of Philanthropy article titled “The Shifting Landscape: Nonprofit leaders anticipate closings as recession shakes up the charity world.”

We have also been brought in to take a look at downtown Phoenix and the central core in a way that might more effectively position the area within the city and broader metro marketplace. As my colleague, Rhonda, will tell you, our top recommendation was collaboration. Our initial feedback was to suggest setting aside old pretexts and thinking to embrace new and innovative ways of collaborating. It’s time to get beyond the “trendy speak” of the moment and shift our work to focus on the very needed outcomes of the day – to the community’s benefit.

Though many nonprofit professionals and their supporters shy away from the thought of a “merger” for fear of losing their identity, funding and effectiveness, collaboration is not an all or nothing process. The Collaboration Prize evaluation team that reviewed the hundreds of submissions noticed patterns that could be defined as eight adaptations on the “collaboration” spectrum:

1) Fully-integrated - this collaboration occurs when two or more organizations combine their operations and missions into a single organization.

2) Partially-Integrated - a combination of organizations that does not result in the total loss of brand for the two collaborators: a partially-integrated merger.

3) Joint Program Office - imagine two complimentary organizations that separately maintain their various program offices. A merger may not fit their needs, but an overlap in some programs or services may provide the opportunity for collaboration.

4) Joint Partnership with Affiliated Programming - the development of shared projects by multiple nonprofits is perhaps the most common type of joint partnership. In this case, two or more organizations join their operations for programming or delivery of services.

5) Joint Partnership for Issue Advocacy - community organizations occasionally share the need to speak with one voice so that their collective message can be heard amid noise or powerful counter-interests.

6) Joint Partnership with the Birth of a New Formal Organization - examples of joint partnerships fall within a wide range. One of the more well-known examples is a model where two or more organizations determine that their joint programming is best implemented by forming a separate, independent organization.

7) Joint Administrative Office and Back Office Operations - in a joint administrative office, similar efficiencies are achieved through shared administrative office and personnel, including financial and human resources management, and information technology.

8) Confederation - one well-known model of confederation is the United States, with individual states operating separately from, yet integrally part of, a federal whole. The umbrella organization exists because of the constituent parts, to which it provides services, coordination and other support.

Find out more about collaboration by checking out these additional resources. It may be time to consider the bigger picture and take steps toward sustainining you organization through collaboration - for the right and best reasons.

Visit:
http://www.asu.edu/copp/nonprofit/index_lodestar.htm

Read:
Models of Collaboration: Nonprofit Organizations Working Together

Nonprofits: Misery loves company
The struggling nonprofit world may be on the cusp of a merger boom.

Listen to:
Mergers and Alliances: Should More Charities Consolidate Operations?

 

Basic Care: The Age of Aquarius has a Strong Message Worth Considering (March 2009)

I was moving between a yoga pose…not very well I might add. I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to “Up Dogs” and “Warrior 1”, but I grasp how breathing, stretching, getting in tune with your body can be restorative, energizing, healing and nurturing to your body, mind and spirit.

On this day, besides the physical lessons we learned, the lovely yogi instructor, Danielle, shared her spiritual message for the day - that the new Aquarian era had begun – in fact, started on Valentine’s day. She recited…

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius…

So that got us “in the mood.” And then she continued to share what this new age may mean.

The Seventh House is commonly referred to as the House of Partnership. Within this House, we see a shift away from the self toward another - a partner. In cooperating and relating to others we unite for the purpose of achieving something grand. Purpose is important to the Seventh House the act of accomplishing something great. In uniting with others, we become a more valuable member of our world: we make a contribution, one small cog in the wheel of life. We have purpose. Cooperation and partnership help to expedite our purpose in life.

For some, this may be a little out there, for others, it reflects important themes and connectivity to something beyond our daily routine. And with Valentine’s Day being the anointed start of the Aquarian age, it is said that there is an overriding desire to experience love and harmony among all people and nations.

Opportunities to bring love and harmony to our community exist everywhere you turn. In keeping with our theme of back to the basics and fundamentals, we believe helping thousands of Arizonans struggling with the basics – food, water, and shelter – will build a foundation for a brighter future.

That glimmer of a future is all they have. They may be struggling to afford it, about to lose it or may have lost it, and are trying to regain it. These are the fundamentals of our existence and they bring with it dignity, self respect and love – or – the lack thereof.

While we must focus on ourselves to make sure we manage through these unusual times, we can choose to look at this time as an opportunity to help.

The “One Step Away” campaign continues to help those challenged by the basics at the Phoenix Human Services Campus, an innovative collaboration of many critical agencies (CASS, St. Vincent de Paul, and 10 others) serving thousands of Arizonans. They are facing a crisis of demand while support lags. Even the Campus’ makeshift asphalt parking lot that serves as an overflow bedroom for hundreds of men, women and families down on their luck is in jeopardy of closing and kicking those folks to the curb. They need to fund the security services they have worked so hard to put in place that helps creatively blend the worlds of “the haves” and the “have nots” allowing neighborhoods to co-exist peacefully and keep an amazing calm while so many are in the eye of their personal storm.

Supporting community efforts such as the Human Services Campus is a place to start. You may have your own places to make an impact. Inspired Connections encourages you to Just Do It! Be the change; give the change. Whatever moves you – the latest ashtanga pose, an alignment with Mars, or a grander purpose, take One Step to help today and welcome others in your life to embrace “basic care” for this day…and many more to come. Go to www.change.org/hscaz to help our Human Services Campus.

 

One Step Away to Community Change: How Nonprofits are "Looking for Change" during Tough Economic Times (January 2009)

You've read the headlines – times are tough. Executives and front line workers are being layed off at our nonprofit organizations. Donations are down; need is up. What are we to do? How about simply calling on people to rally and act?

Business leader Marty Shultz did just that in early December when leaders at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix, a project he's been supporting throughout its creation and evolution, told him about the cold realities they were facing: Arizona's new homeless ranks and demands on services were up 25-60 percent, parking lots were serving as makeshift sleeping lots and 2009 was going to bring a significant uptick in demand early in the year.

Shultz rallied the collaborative team of organizations that make up the Campus to come together where they could and seek small donations from the community. The "One Step Away" campaign brought together leaders from government to philanthropy, from public service to the faith based community to encourage thousands to take one step toward helping the state's new homeless grapple with the tough economic times. Inspired Connections helped pull together a quick, e-mail based campaign to help people understand that while many of their friends and neighbors were close to losing jobs, homes and hope, even a small gift of $10 could make the difference. (For all of you who gave, thank you!)

Modest donations were generated, but equally important was the interest for partnerships and collaborations with philanthropic and other groups throughout the community. It even got people thinking about the broader need and ways to join together to serve. "It brought several hundred new relationships and heightened awareness to homelessness and the work of our Campus," says Arlene Pfeiff-Maraj, managing director of the Human Services Campus. "And we have new levels of collaboration even within our group of agencies that bring us together to strategically decide where to use the money for the best outcomes. It's been a win-win."

The campaign was also set up to have legs One Step Away was created as a platform to build off of so as not to waste all the early theme and branding efforts. It's in fact working as a sustainable concept to support ongoing requests, new initiatives and long term funding efforts.

As nonprofits retrench, considering ways to sustain efforts, versus recreating new wheels and widgets through which to raise funds or tap the community will pay off. Inspired Connections can help your nonprofit take these ideas from paper to a tailored fit for your organization. Call Rhonda at 602.370.3560 or email her at Rhonda@inspiredconnections.net to discuss your needs.

And by the way, many more of our friends and fellow Arizonans are "One Step Away." You can help by giving just $10 to the One Step Away campaign.

Interested in a little more inspiration?
Read more ideas we've learned in our years of serving nonprofits, as well as those gleaned from a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article.

 

 

Treat Your Halloween Green (October 2008)

We’re just days away from the night of fright, but you can make it more eeko-friendly with a few quick ideas from the Green Halloween concept sweeping through Phoenix. The Green Halloween movement was started by former Arizonan, Corey Colwell-Lipson, who now lives in the Seattle area. Inspired Connections brought it to Phoenix and have been working with schools, businesses and neighborhoods to integrate just a few simple practices into their fun holiday practice.

Here are a few quick things you can do in the next few days to “treat” your holiday green.

• If you are one of those last minute candy buyers, opt instead for healthier treats. Anything from toothbrushes, raisins, organic fruit leather, Glee Gum “minis,” bells, beads, adhesive bandages with pirates or a black cat, soy based crayon rocks, soy crayons, stickers, seed packets… or find an entire list at Green Halloween website Also check out www.sugarcoatedorganics.com.

• Use a recycled costume, shop at Goodwill or inspire your child to be a recycle monster or some other fun eco-character to help spread the word.

• Go to www.inspiredbirthdays.com (click on the rock) and print out the eco-tips we compiled to help everyone take on the energy monsters and other opportunities to easily go green at home or at work.

• Inspire your child to collect change as they trick or treat and turn it in to our local nonprofit beneficiary – Hands on Phoenix. They set up volunteer opportunities for busy professionals to make an impact on hundreds of nonprofits and areas in need all year long. www.handsonphoenix.org

More than $3 billion is spent in the U.S. annually on Halloween. We know that kind of green investment can be put to better use. As Corey says…think outside the candy box and make your fun matter.

Special thanks to our local and national supporters who helped us throughout October: Crayons All Natural Drinks, Glee Gum, Larabar, Natural Awakenings, Raising Arizona Kids, Affiliated Dentistry, Sugar Coated Organics, Allegra Print & Imaging, our school and business partners, and most especially, Inspired Connections colleagues Jennifer Dunsworth and our great intern Shoni Shen. Thanks for your stewardship.

 

Bringing Home the Gold (August 2008)
-by Louann Phillips

"There is nearly no better way to see a community in action than watching the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Since the organizing committee officially began planning on December 13, 2001, the cast of characters who made the event a success was likely in the thousands. In fact, if you visit the official 2008 Olympic website, you can find an overview of 32 offices responsible for everything from constructing necessary facilities to managing international relations.

You might wonder what kind of leaders managed this extraordinary community effort. Their requirements had to include effective communication and continued enthusiasm for the shared mission of carrying out the monumental event. And in a country that has long been criticized for its human rights stance, I actually expected men to be the driving force. Surprise - the two Vice Presidents for the organizing committee are women!

This discovery led me to thinking more about the unlikely candidates we might run across in our own communities who are achieving extraordinary results at team-building. You could even relate the diversity among effective teams to a childhood movie classic – The Wizard of Oz.

Consider Dorothy. No, she wasn’t from Encanto Village or Verrado, she was from Kansas and found herself in the unlikely territory of munckins. Her mission was simple – she had to see the Wizard to get home. But she soon realized she couldn’t do it alone. First she got wisdom from Glenda, the good witch from the north. Then she got direction from the munchkins, and along the way, built a team that became united in its interest to see the Wizard. Though each of her acquired teammates had separate reasons for their journey - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion - united with Dorothy to champion the needs of one another. And it certainly required courage to make their way past the vast roadblocks in front of them – the Wicked Witch of the West, Poisonous apples, kidnapping, mean trees – and more! But all along the way, Dorothy encouraged, supported and inspired her team to stay on track.

The next time you are challenged by a situation facing your team or community, think about some of the leaders you know. They may not be at the level of the Beijing Organizing Committee Vice Presidents - Liu Yandong and Chen Zhili or even Dorothy, but they have likely attained remarkable results amid difficult situations. And they most certainly enlisted the help of a diverse group of people interested in working toward a singular vision.

 

A Time for Refocusing Energies: A Time for Refocusing Energies: A Big Clarion Call that Your Organization Might Learn a Lesson or Two From (May 2008)

"The country is at a crossroads right now. I've never felt a time in my career where there's this combination of enough pain, feeling of a lack of progress, feeling like we've stalled, combined with a next generation of leadership demanding change."

Do you think this is an excerpt from a political speech? Guess again. These comments came from Brian A. Gallagher, the United Way of America’s president and chief executive at the group’s annual conference. What sent ripples through the nonprofit’s affiliates and broader sector, as the Washington Post reported, was Gallagher’s additional comments. He says despite spending millions to support numerous local programs, the United Way has not made measurable progress on the country’s core problems. With that, he sent out a clarion call to redirect the agency’s money to key social conditions that can sew back together the country’s frayed social safety net – education, health and earning a livable wage.

On the health front, it appears the focus will be on access to prevention programs, a voice on the public policy level, and access to care. The outcomes will be measured not by dollars raised, but by how the programs help kids stay in school and get the education they need, among other key indicators.

Education efforts will focus on cutting the high school dropout rate. United Way’s liveunited.org web site says that more than 1.2 million children are dropping out each year. That means more than $300 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over lifetimes, according to Communities in Schools. This presents a real crisis, the United Way contends.

So when things are near crisis, the answer appears to be cultural and organizational shifts. United Way’s Gallagher says the organization is still growing and sees incremental progress, but the social issues in the country are not improving. He says it’s time to think differently about how to approach our problems.

Consider that much of the way we do things today connect back to reasons and rationale from long ago. But times have changed. Our economy is different. Our nation appears to be on the cusp of a major makeover. So Gallagher and his team have launched a new social movement that will try and shake up the “old school” systems of education, health care and public welfare.

“When you get a critical mass of the public demanding change it is the only way that real social changes happens,” says Gallagher.

The United Way is 118 years old. Gallagher’s clarion call is a major reflection back on how this organization does its business. Perhaps business and other nonprofit organizations can take a lesson from this new play book and honestly look at outputs, outcomes and the changing environment around you. Is there a “redirect” in your future?

 

Simon Said…Inspire! (April 2008)

There are days when you feel like you play plenty of games. Or are getting played. Or just want to leave it all and go play. No matter the orientation here, Simon came to Phoenix and said some good stuff about the game of attracting customers. So I thought I would share what he said.

First Simon Sinek said…why are your customers attracted to you? And, by customer, he meant your target market; could be volunteers, board members, donors, neighbors, friends or those that actually pull out their wallet to buy your product or service. He talked about how we’re all “sold” to in basically two ways:

• Manipulation of behavior – that’s by deals, discounts, promotions, fear, peer pressure, novelty, a suggestion of innovation. Takes work, right?

• Inspire behavior – this means we think, act and communicate why you do what you do and the right people will relate. This breeds loyalty, Simon said.

(By the way, Simon works in corporate refocusing and used to play in the worlds of global advertising and strategic communications.)

So if your group, organization or business relates to the “why,” read on. Okay…Simon says read on.

The “inspire” companies operate from the inside out – why we do what we do, what we believe…and customers relate with the why you’re doing “it” and your purpose. Consider Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, Apple and Google to name a few of the “why” companies. These companies have loyal customers, loyal employees and find themselves more innovative and making more money. But Simon also said, make sure you’re clear about the “why.” And find the balance of your actions with your beliefs.

Your employees need to know why they are to believe and then they will give you their blood, sweat and tears. Your customers will recommend you and give you a pass even if you make a mistake. Your sales people or development directors will also embody the cause to close the sale.

Develop that belief and put it into words that can resonate with everyone in your business.

Remember Simon says? Remember even before we played that game that we used to ask our parents “why”? It’s time to answer the question…even if you do it standing on one leg, bouncing up and down, patting your head and rubbing your tummy…cause Simon said.

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Bright, Witty and Successful Nonprofit Seeking Love (December 2007)

Advice for a healthy love life is pretty commonplace – it’s on the radio, the cover of a magazine in the grocery check out line or even from a co-worker you just met yesterday! These “experts” espouse their opinions and ideas on what you can do to find, keep or get more love. What if that same advice could be applied to your nonprofit? After all, aren’t you just looking for love from your volunteers, supporters, donors and the greater community?

Love Your Organization First: How can you love and be generous to your own organization? How does your world see it? How can you show the authenticity of your love and passion beyond long hours worked? How does your team of employees and volunteers greet, thank and share your organization’s positive impact on the community? Don Miguel Ruiz writes in The Four Agreements to always do your best…and know that your best will be different every day. If individuals feel fulfilled from doing their best, they remain passionate about coming back to the mission the next day and the next after that. Ruiz’ simple and basic concept might be a consideration for all nonprofit employees, board leadership and volunteers to embrace. In fact, if you can figure out how to make your staff, board, volunteers and donors “love” your organization, it might help everything else fall into place.

Stay Positive: I would admit this is a bit hard these days. But think about the half full concept and focus your attention on everything that is right, and you might just see a spike in affirmative feedback, actions, and incoming donations. Since the “Secret” is all the rave… the law of attraction in action should work. Right? Bottom line…where we put our attention is what we attract. What have you got to lose?

Cultivate All Types: Ain’t that the truth. Don’t pigeonhole your volunteers, donors or sponsors in all the same type. Diversity is key. If you bank on one sector and it hits an economic speedbump, then your organization is in trouble. And sometimes what you think is the best fit, like an ideal mate, is not always. Perhaps consider the sixth degree of separation that binds you or connects you in a unique way? Find one link and start building from there. Relationships – those involving love of the heart or love of the mission – always take time, attention and cultivation.

Make It Sustainable: Ooh…buzz word comes to nonprofit sector. Why not? How can you sustain the relationship? You’re so busy trying to sustain the organization from one month or one year to the next, why not look at each relationship with donors, volunteers, board members and others the same way? This is one area that we’ve seen organizations continue to fall down on. You do so much work to get the check, and then you let the relationship wane. Not good. Before you ever go into the relationship, know what your sustaining work must be. Have a plan. Just like you should have a plan to sustain the love from your own staff. Love takes work. And to think there is no degree program in such a foundational component to everything we do.

Experience Gratitude: Be grateful for the big and small outcomes and activities. Sometimes easier said than done. Richard Moss, M.D. is an expert and teacher in the science of conscious living. In his most recent of six books, The Mandala of Being: Discovering the Power of Awareness, he shares that “love rises spontaneously in a person who’s grateful.” So if we practice gratitude more, it will be felt more, experienced more, and perhaps returned to the organization in ways we can’t define. Any argument over practicing gratitude? I think not. (After we get this part down, perhaps the next step is to learn how to accept it. But that’s a completely different conversation.)

Practice Consistency: Even on down days, find the love and show it. Practice makes perfect, they say…and perhaps it would even serve as a little “pick me up.” Find something to show gratitude about and simple small ways to show it. A note, a simple voice mail, heck…even a text message to just share a thought can go a long way.

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Tapping Diversity in Leadership: Create your Plan (September 2007)

Calvin Goode, Clovis Campbell, Jose Cardenas, Manny Wong, Pete Garcia, Betty Fairfax and Carole Coles Henry are just some of the names that come to mind when thinking about diverse leaders from our community. Each of these individuals has made their mark in metro Phoenix for a number of reasons, and part of their impact has been nurturing future generations to get involved.

But has that been enough to get the younger generation of Latinos, Asian and African American segments connected? Did these leaders communicate to their peers of another color how to be culturally aware, sensitive and engaging…and how to reach in to the minority communities?

The leadership sandbox seems to have changed again, and more change is on the horizon. While the perspective and landscape of our community is very broad, we’ve been engaged in dialogue that suggests that the cultural “leadership bench” in our community is not very deep. So instead of simply acknowledging that, we asked a few engaged leaders from those communities to share their experiences and words of advice for anyone - from the young professional considering joining his or her first board to the committee chair on a mission to recruit a board more representative of the group’s constituency or community.

How can we do a better job at building and engaging the diversity of our community (be it on boards, organizations, key issue areas within the community)?

Laya Gavin: To paraphrase an old saying: "If you want to get something done, find a busy person." My recommendation to engage diverse participation would be to reach out to organizations that are effectively speaking directly to and engaging population/ethnic segments (such as the Black Board of Directors Project, National Black MBA Association, Hispanic Business Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, etc). The leadership in these organizations are intricately involved with a wide pool of talented individuals what would be a fantastic resource to tap into. Outreach could include articles in membership newsletters and ads on web pages seeking qualified volunteers and outlining the skill sets that you are hoping to find. Attendance at events or meetings to share your organizational mission and objectives in order to reach those that have a passion or interest is also ideal. Having a representative available to answer questions from the audience for general information and then one on one available after an event is crucial. I believe that any business that is sincere about diverse representation needs to have a communication line with organizations like these that provides expertise from both sides: each telling their story of what they are trying to accomplish, each engaging support and participation from the other, and honest feedback as to what is being done successfully as well as opportunities for improvement.

Cassandra Mason-Motz: In order to build a relationship with communities outside of one’s work and social circle, you have to make an effort to approach those communities. Nonprofit executives could try attending social events sponsored by those organizations of interest. If your circle of contacts only includes people who look, think and worship the way you do, then chances are you won’t broaden your horizons. Most people are comfortable with what they know. Stepping outside that comfort zone could be a positive change. I was lucky when I moved here in 1980. I took a job with Congressman Morris Udall and part of my work assignment as a congressional aide was to make contacts in all the minority communities in Phoenix. I still use those contacts today for my position at the Phoenix Police Department.

Paul Lopez: Corporate, not for profit and organizations are able to do a better job of engaging diversity by making it a priority. If these entities have a diversity objective in mind, opportunities for women, physically challenged, gay, lesbian and minorities becomes a meaningful directive and not simply an afterthought.

What have you learned from your community involvement?

Laya Gavin: I have learned that volunteerism and community involvement can be an excellent leveling of the playing field. While sitting at the boardroom table and providing input as to how an organization is run, you can find a Fortune 500 company executive sitting right next to a civic-minded stay-at-home mom, and their votes and opinions count the same. You can have an Ivy League graduate next to a community college graduate both given the opportunity to impact change in their communities. This is important to foster because each person has a different perspective on how the organization can be effective, and their personal experiences collectively can help the organization meet the needs of the population it serves.

Several years ago, I joined the Black Board of Directors (BBOD) organization because I wanted to be involved in the community, but did not have a particular affinity to any specific organization. BBOD gave me an opportunity to get a birds eye view of multiple organizations that were looking for volunteers, and then I was able to select from the organizations that interested me. Since my first board position, I have not had to seek out additional board/community involvement. I have been sought out by the organizations themselves.

Cassandra Mason-Motz: I have lived in Phoenix for almost 30 years and have served on many community boards and commissions. The more active you are in the community, the more you are asked to be involved.

Paul Lopez: While in college and early in my business career, I sought out board positions as a way to volunteer and provide advice to these organizations as they formulate and implement their ideas into the community. Presently organizations ask me to join their boards by way of their board chairs.

For those interested in joining a board, I would suggest joining one of the many Leadership Institutes in the Valley. I would find an organization or cause that is of great interest to you and become familiar with the cause, the membership and board members to demonstrate your commitment to the same goals.

We are agents of change in our community. Existing and future board members must understand the issues, ask the questions of “why” or “why not,” and strike a balance between family, work and the community we live in.

Laya Gavin is a Financial Planner for Chase Bank and has a securities and insurance license. She previously was Managing Principal for New England Financial. Ms. Gavin has experience in production and human resources and has worked as an account executive and a trust advisor. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Gavin is a member of the Small Business Association of Arizona, the Black Board of Directors and the National Association for Female Executives. She also serves on the board of Goodwill of Central Arizona and is a second-year event chair for their annual “Evening of Goodwill,” scheduled for October 6.

Cassandra Mason-Motz is a Pubic Relations Representative for the city of Phoenix Police Department. She is a board member with Arizona Senior Olympics and Valley Leadership. Previous community involvement has included Homeward Bound, Anytown Arizona Inc. and the Sikh Advisory Board.

Paul Lopez is the Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix International Consultants and has been active in consulting and business development for more than 15 years. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards including YMCA , the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Valley Leadership, as well as being deeply involved in political campaigns and corporate strategic planning.

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When Collaboration Leads to One Voice (July 2007)

Arizona’s more than 20,000 nonprofits now have a champion for their efforts in the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. The new organization recently released its “One Voice: A Nonprofit Agenda” outlining the feedback and focus areas it developed through numerous statewide town halls. Five major strategies to strengthen the sector were developed: Speak with One Voice; Promote Collaboration and Networking; Increase Public Awareness; Connect with Resources; and Promote Accountability. Get the full details by connecting to their report.  The nonprofit sector contributes more than $17 billion of expenditures annually to Arizona’s economy. Business and community leaders, along with nonprofit representatives, should spend time considering how to nurture this economic engine and unifying voice.

A Big Deal to Check Out

Humana, Inc. is offering some big bucks many of our nonprofit friends should check into. The Arizona Benefits – Humana charitable giving program is offering a $100,000 grant to one nonprofit that focuses on bettering the mind, body and spirit of Maricopa County citizens. Now that’s a connection worth pursing. Applications are due August 31.

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Powerful Partnerships That Go Deep (June 2007)

In this new era of social responsibility, partnerships among corporate, nonprofit and/or the public sector are becoming more prevalent. The benefits and spin off opportunities are starting to show unique twists and efforts that have staying power long after the event may have wrapped up.

United Healthcare is supporting The National Arbor Day Foundation's effort to plant more trees and help replenish America's national forests. But the commitment to the environment goes beyond the company’s planting trees to rebuild the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, where nearly 138,000 acres burned in the 2002 Hyman fire, and the largest recorded wildfire in Colorado history.

The national health care provider is encouraging customers to opt in to electronic communication, such as healthcare benefit updates via email, so that less waste occurs from printed and mailed information. They have recently lowered members' co-payment for chlorofluorocarbon-free asthma inhalers and will begin construction on a new environmentally responsible 10-story building adjacent to their Minnesota headquarters. Planned for completion in 2008, the building is slated to be among the first LEED-certified buildings in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. LEED, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, is the most respected and widely used environmental standard for commercial buildings.

IC has a few thoughts about how they might integrate their efforts even further:

• employees could add an environmentally healthy tip onto their emails such as, “when you are out enjoying the fresh air, remember to use sunscreen.

• their holiday cards could feature The National Arbor Day Foundation partnership and be printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

• they could host groups such as the Nature Conservancy or the National Audubon Society to make lunchtime presentations to employees about volunteer opportunities.

Do you know anyone who is “going deeper” in their commitment to an issue? We invite you to share your outstanding partnership story with us as we continue this conversation in our July edition.

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A Different Kind of American Idol (May 2007)

I remember when my son, just 4 or 5 years old at the time, ran across a play area to defend his sister from some older, unknown boys taunting her. They were much bigger than he was, but he never hesitated for a second. It was family and he was right there willing to defend.

Also willing – our brave men and women in the military corps. They don’t even know us, yet they lace up their boots, strap on their gear and go off to fight for us. It’s a stunning, humbling action to sit with and ponder.

May 19th marks Armed Forces Day and then the 29th is Memorial Day – two days to consider celebrating our true American Idols. They deserve a vote of support. We can’t call it in, but perhaps we can consider a few ways to applaud their efforts, their talents and their courage in representing our country.

Participate in an Armed Forces Day Event
On May 19 from 10am-11:30am, guests are invited to celebrate and remember Arizona’s fallen military that have given their lives in Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom. The ceremony will announce the names of additional military personnel who have been added to the memorial since the dedication on November 11, 2006, and honor all our Armed Forces that are stationed around the world. Refreshments provided. The event will be held at the San Tan Mountain Regional Park - Nathan Martens Arizona Memorial. Click here for full details.

Send a Free E-card to the Troops
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Look how eloquently a 7-year-old stated his thoughts on the America Supports You site:

“Thanks for fighting for us and for the freedom tower and I hope you get a lot of candy because I heard that is what you miss the most."
Matthew, Phoenix, Ariz.

Visit America Supports You or Hallmark for free e-cards.

Volunteer at an Arizona Military Establishment
Contact one of the following Arizona-based facilities to enlist your volunteer services:

Arizona Army National Guard
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Fort Huachuca
Luke Air Force Base
Marine Corps Air Station
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

Support Groups that are Rebuilding Lives for U.S. Veterans
There are an estimated 3,500 homeless veterans on the streets of Maricopa County. Visit the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services  Web site for opportunities to support their reintegration.

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A Family Champ Helps You Find Your Volunteer/Community Heart (April 2007)

Inspired Connections congratulates one of its clients, Eileen Rogers of Allegra Print & Imaging, for winning the Family Champion Award from Homeward Bound. This Valley businesswoman is known around town as a printer with a conscious – incorporating community work into her business and throughout her life. April 12th, Homeward Bound officially made her a Family Champion for her work on the organization’s board and for founding and launching the Baby Diaper Drive eight years ago.

While it may be a natural fit for businesswoman Eileen Rogers to weave community involvement into her daily practice, not everyone can figure out their best path. Eileen shares a few of her tips to help you get started:

1. Listen to your heart. What news stories pull at your emotions? What commercials do you cry at? It’s critical that you identify the area of need that is compelling for you. Helping animals, the environment, children, the arts, etc... What issues connect for you at a “heart” level?
2. Think about what you have to offer - is it time, money, connections, ideas? Do you enjoy a hands-on experience or contributing at a distance
   
3. Realize that for most organizations or groups, even a small effort from a volunteer can make a big difference. You don't need to add hours and hours of volunteer time to your schedule to impact lives or issues and make a valuable difference. Sometimes is may just be as simple as a connecting telephone call!
4. Talk to people who are involved now and do some research. Tour organizations and talk to staff and volunteers. Go to websites and understand each organizations mission and what areas they need help in.
5. Do a gut check when you commit to be involved. We create room in often busy lives for causes that we are passionate about and feel are important. If your commitment feels like a burden now or just another item on a long to-do list - don't do it!

The true key to meaningful involvement is passion and commitment to the cause.
-Eileen Rogers, Allegra Print & Imaging, Homeward Bound 2007 Family Champion Award Winner

Opportunity in the making: One quick way you can get involved is through the Baby Diaper Drive which kicks off annually in November and wraps up in January. Many businesses get involved as public drop off points or simply collect items as part of their office’s holiday project. To find out more about Allegra, the Baby Diaper Drive and Homeward Bound, visit these sites: www.AllegraAz.com, www.BabyDrive.org, and www.HBphx.org.

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F.O.D. (March 2007)

Ever heard of that acronym?  If you circulate in the autism arena at all, you likely have.  It stands for Friend of Denise, as in Denise Resnik - Someone considered a master at building partnerships and relationships that help further amazing causes and noble goals.  From the Translational Genomics Research Institute here in Phoenix, to the National Institutes of Health nationally, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, which Denise helped found, raises the bar every year to combine the amazing talents and energies of organizations, companies, scientists, nonprofits and individuals for the goal of finding answers to the growing epidemic of autism, now with a diagnosis made for one in every 150 kids.  We invited Denise to share her five top tips on how to build and nurture community connections to help advance your goals.  Click here to Listen to the Beat • Believe • Connect the Dots • Build Relationships • Celebrate.

How to Build and Nurture Community Connections, by Denise Resnik, Founder of the Southwest Autism Research Center and Principal Denise Resnik & Associates

1. Listen to the Beat.  Be the conduit that helps others follow what's in their hearts or earn a place in their hearts, if you're not already there! In order for you to promote and position your non-profit in this way, your leadership team must also demonstrate their heartfelt commitments and passion for the cause. Create opportunities for people to get involved and lead a project, big or small.  Empower them to make a difference and let them know when they have. When a non-profit aligns its needs with the hearts, minds and resource commitments of its donors/investors, then the returns on investment can not only be memorable, but truly priceless.  
2. Believe.  Your board and staff must provide a strong foundation to motivate and inspire others to believe in your non-profit.  They must thoroughly understand and believe in your mission, and be able to effectively communicate it with others. Identify what resonates most with your chief supporters.  And if you don't know, ask them.  And if you assume you know, ask them to make sure you're right!  You may use this process to further cultivate relationships with your leading ambassadors and key influencers.  Are they true believers?  Do they believe in you?  Value what they have to offer and support your efforts? Mutual respect and trust goes beyond words, it must be translated into action. From a strong core, you can then begin cultivating new champions and ambassadors for your cause. As non-profits, we need them all.  And we need to continue to earn their trust and support.
3. Connect the Dots.  As non-profits leaders, we're always on the lookout for leveraging resources and stretching each and every dollar. Make sure your non-profit learns how to map its own treasure hunt.  First, identify what you'd want that treasure chest to include.  Strategic plans, wish lists, talking with staff at all levels and the people you serve are good places to start.  Then assess your network to include donors, volunteers, individuals served, for-profit companies and providers who serve your population and other collaborating non-profits or agencies. Next,  create win-win scenarios and find a way to serve all interests well.  Finally, recognize the contributions and those involved.  For example, how are you promoting that corporate contribution? Is your public relations director or volunteer committee/team building a story to be shared?  Have you engaged the corporate staff of the company to extend your resources, your network and your reach?   Non-profits and their volunteers have significant opportunities to enhance and extend their respective networks by connecting the dots to family and friends, their workplaces, special interests, hobbies and other charitable work.
4. Build Relationships. When you roll up your sleeves alongside another do-gooder and share heartfelt experiences, stronger relationships are created that often result in a lasting bond. Volunteering enables people to connect on a different level and strengthens relationships in the workplace, at home and in the community. Engaging co-workers in a community or non-profit activity can help strengthen relationships in the workplace and also improve morale through shared, meaningful experiences.
5. Celebrate. Value all contributions including life's most precious resource--time. Make sure you appropriately evaluate and acknowledge the returns. What was contributed to your organization? What impact did those contributions have? How was that contribution leveraged? Did it help you increase capacity or offer a better quality of product or service? Did it make a difference in the lives of those you serve? Celebrate the differences you're making possible with others who have joined you in the journey. Send notes of thanks not only from your staff, but from the people who received the service and/or their family members. Spotlight unique or novel contributions and special contributors, and use them as a model for others to follow.  E-newsletters, printed newsletters, a letter from your board chairman, president or volunteer, can all be part of the mix. Also, remember to celebrate things that are important to them--their birthday or their child's birthday, an anniversary or a special day or month that features your cause. If people are not able to attend that special event try taking pictures and send them on.  

And one more bit of advice from Denise….Recognize that your supporters have diverse interests.  Their capacity to give is equally diverse--and it's all important to your non-profit. Create a host of on-ramps for ways people can best connect with your cause and organization based on their levels of interest, types of contributions and resource, and commitment levels. By building a strong infrastructure in your organization's superhighway, supporters can get on and off the highway with ease.  Some will travel with you for long distances. Other may choose the next exit.  All are important. 

When thinking of each of these on-ramps, package the volunteer, promotional or contribution opportunity in such a way that allows them to assume ownership and take pride in the results from their contribution. Also, look for pacesetters that inspire others to stay the course with you for longer periods of time. 

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Connecting with IC

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business or your pending celebration, give us a call at 602.370.3560. We’re here to help.
info@inspiredconnections.net