If there is one thing this country is good at, it’s smooth transfer of power. We do it every four years and with our free enterprise system we often do it in both the public and private sector as well. But, as often as we do it, and as integral as it is to our culture, transition can be difficult…for the country, for individuals, for businesses and for nonprofits alike. The key ingredient for good transition is planning. That means putting together a step by step action plan and getting buy-in from all the major stakeholders. And it means remaining supple and alert when things don’t always go as anticipated.
Few nonprofits have the luxury of planning a transition a year in advance. Partnership in Philanthropy (PIP), a 501 (c)(3) that provides consulting for New Jersey nonprofits, had the good fortune of learning that its executive director was planning retirement an entire year before the retirement date. It also had a person on staff that had the experience and the qualifications to step into the role of executive director. So the steps leading up to what might have been a challenging event, have been predictable and controllable.
What helps to put success in succession?
First and foremost, transparency; open and honest discussions between the CEO, the board president, the executive committee, and the board.
Next, a well-articulated plan that has the buy in of all the major stakeholders, particularly funders; periodic assessments to see if the plan is still viable and working.
Next, a schedule for the transition of responsibilities so that nothing falls through the cracks.
Training of all the day to day tasks and coordinating of calendars so that the new face has exposure and the old face begins to be seen less and less.
Finally, a pr plan so that the public learns of the change in an upbeat and positive fashion; putting out a message that assures consistency and continuity.
So, it is with total confidence that Partnership in Philanthropy announces that Heather Robinson will assume the role of executive director of PIP on June 30, 2010, upon the retirement of Becky Dembo, ending a ten-year tenure at the helm of the 20-year old PIP.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Fishing
Give a man a fish; Feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish; Feed him for a lifetime.
This old Chinese proverb is the tag line that PIP has used for years to describe the benefits of nonprofit mentoring and training that we offer through our capacity building programs. But I recently heard a new twist to it and I think it is worth some thought.
Give a man a fish; Feed him for a day.
Teach a man to give; He will be a giver for a lifetime.
In other word, if people receive the gift of giving early on, and understand the impact their gift can have on others, they will be more inclined to give more and more meaningful gifts as they are able through out their lifetime.
I remember when I first graduated from high school and received my very first solicitation a few weeks later. I was so infuriated that I threw it into the trash and went into a rant about how ridiculous it was that they were asking me for money. My father was quick to teach me that it ought to be my pleasure now more than ever to give back to a community that had been so meaningful in my life. He said, “Sweetie, we have to give something back to each community we are part of. That way others will have the same opportunities that we have had. It doesn’t matter how much you give, it matters that you give something.” I will never forget that conversation.
We are not born philanthropists but hopefully, we all learn at some point in our lives to give back. And when we do, it’s something that is hard to un-learn. Philanthropy is a good habit to get into; giving as we are able to those causes and crises that pull at our heartstrings for all sorts of reasons. It’s good to be a “giver”.
Teach a man to fish; Feed him for a lifetime.
This old Chinese proverb is the tag line that PIP has used for years to describe the benefits of nonprofit mentoring and training that we offer through our capacity building programs. But I recently heard a new twist to it and I think it is worth some thought.
Give a man a fish; Feed him for a day.
Teach a man to give; He will be a giver for a lifetime.
In other word, if people receive the gift of giving early on, and understand the impact their gift can have on others, they will be more inclined to give more and more meaningful gifts as they are able through out their lifetime.
I remember when I first graduated from high school and received my very first solicitation a few weeks later. I was so infuriated that I threw it into the trash and went into a rant about how ridiculous it was that they were asking me for money. My father was quick to teach me that it ought to be my pleasure now more than ever to give back to a community that had been so meaningful in my life. He said, “Sweetie, we have to give something back to each community we are part of. That way others will have the same opportunities that we have had. It doesn’t matter how much you give, it matters that you give something.” I will never forget that conversation.
We are not born philanthropists but hopefully, we all learn at some point in our lives to give back. And when we do, it’s something that is hard to un-learn. Philanthropy is a good habit to get into; giving as we are able to those causes and crises that pull at our heartstrings for all sorts of reasons. It’s good to be a “giver”.
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