The World Didn’t End for Six Hours on Monday
On Monday, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, all went offline for approximately six hours due to a technical issue where for a period of time, IT equipment couldn’t “find” these services on the internet. According to the website “Netblocks”, the outage cost the American economy nearly $233 million. If the outage lasted a day, it would have cost the economy nearly $1 billion.
The lesson for nonprofits is that many of us use social media to engage with stakeholders, clients and even donors to keep them aware of what is happening in our organizations and even to solicit donations. While the shut down was relatively short, what had a huge impact was how many work processes integrate social media and cloud based technology. This incident may want to give us all pause to think about how our organizations interact with this technology and what processes and services are susceptible to such outages in the future.
From the Mailbag
I received a question from a group member who has been burned by the non-profit world. This person loves the work, love the mission-based attitude, loves this purpose, but really doesn't like the leadership. This person asked me to tackle this issue of "love the work, hate the culture". This probably happens a lot more often that we think.
For the Non-Profit Leader:
The most important asset you have is not your bank account, is not your donor base, it's not even you. It's your team. Whether they are paid volunteers or unpaid volunteers, every non-profit needs good team members to make sure that the organizations continues to do their good work each and every day.
You has a leader of the non-profit have a responsibility to your team. If you want to create an amazing non-profit, you have a responsibility to create amazing non-profit team members. It really is that simple.
At the end of the day, your team members or your volunteers answered the call to be a part of something more. They signed up for a challenging work to make the world a better place. And for the most part, these people are committed, passionate and able to learn what needs to be done for the betterment of the team and for the betterment of the world. If you as the leader don't think they are cutting it, you need to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what are you doing to build your team and your culture? Your team doesn't need micromanaged and they don't sticks. They need carrots and they need the freedom to do the tasks in front of them. If they need help, they'll ask. If they make a mistake, they'll do everything they can not to do it again. If they do a good job, they'll need encouragement to keep on going.
For the Non-Profit Team Member and Volunteer
My team members know I need them to be on their game everyday, but they also know that I am there for them to listen, to guide and to provide cover. My team knows that if they are up front, honest and work hard, I will always have their back. But my team also knows that I expect them to stay in their lane.
I am all for creative thinking and we have staff meetings where we can bring up anything you want. And my team knows that my door is always open if you want to discuss something else. But, my team also knows that I am responsible for this organization and if I am going to be responsible I need to make decisions. You may not like my decisions, but I make decisions based on what is best for the people we serve and for the benefit of our team.
While it may look like I am at the top of the food chain, I am really at the bottom of the hill, because it all rolls down hill. I have to keep our clients, our donors, other team members, our board in mind when I make decisions. My view, by nature of my job, is to have a wide view and to be always on the ready to do the work that needs to be done when the whistle blows. As a team member, I need you to understand that.
I brought you on to this team because I know you can provide great value and sometimes the greatest value you can provide is to do those things I have asked you to do - I need you to prove me right in this regard every single day. If you want to be challenged to do more, we can talk about that. But in the daily grind, I need you to play your position, do your job. Make it happen.
Technology and the Fundraiser
Covid-19 accelerated the fundraiser’s “love-hate” relationship with technology; any good fundraiser needs technology to help manage donor relationships and overnight technology became a necessary tool - virtual fundraisers, anyone? But, good fundraisers also know that relationships with donors are highly personal and those relationships can’t always be put in a technological box.
Add to that the glut of what donor relationship tools out there and their capabilities and it can leave Development Directors and Executive Directors really confused. The Non-Profit Times wrote this timely article that looked into this relationship earlier this week.
An Excerpt from our “Tools, Tips and Tricks” Newsletter
Did you know that there is also a paid version of this newsletter? Each week you will get a “tool, tip or trick” to help you manage and lead your nonprofit (or any organization for that matter) better! The purpose is to simply give you tools you need to do your job better. Here is an excerpt from a recent newsletter:
Some of our hesitancy with fundraising comes the feeling that we need to land that one big donor or maybe we are hesitant to make the big ask or we just don’t know where to begin. Try to create a giving ladder for your own efforts and if you have past data, plug those numbers in as well and see if you are effectively getting older donors up the ladder and bringing newer donors on the ladder.
Other Ways to Connect
Did you know you can also be a paid subscriber to Pinnacle Strategies content on substack? Why would you want to? First, if you are a paid subscriber, I have a special gift I would like to give you! Second, through the paid newsletter, each week you will be given a tangible tool or deliverable that YOU can use to help you understand and serve your non-profit better. The first tool is about Giving Ladders. Huh? Well, become a paid subscriber for $7/month and you can learn more!
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