Archive for the ‘Planning’ Category

Information System for a Volunteer Center: System Design for Not-for-Profit Organizations with Limited Resources by S. Chalasani

This case focuses on the development of information systems for not-for-profit volunteer-based organizations. Specifically, we discuss an information system project for the Volunteer Center of Racine (VCR). This case targets the analysis and design phase of the project using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) methodology, database modeling, and aspects of project management including scope and risk management. Students must decide how to proceed, including recommending an IT solution, managing risk, managing scope, projecting a schedule, and managing personnel. The rewards and special issues involved with systems for not-for-profit organizations will be revealed. This case can be used in a variety of courses, including systems analysis and design, database management systems, and project management.

The Grantwriter’s Start-Up Kit: A Beginner’s Guide To Grant Proposals by Successful Images, Inc.

Fundraisers are often intimidated by the prospect of writing grant proposals. But missing a grant opportunity can mean losing important programs and essential services. For the fundraiser in need of practical skills and guidance, The Grantwriter’s Start-Up Kit shows how to prepare for the process of writing a successful grant proposal.

Are you trying to do it all? Are you answering the phones, copying the brochures, scheduling appointments, and taking the minutes at the board meetings? Then you probably need a virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant can take on various tasks such as:
• Meeting logistics (event planning, registration, vendor coordination, etc.)
• Scheduling (appointments, meetings, interviews, and events)
• Website (maintain websites and/or build websites)
• Social networking (creating social media pages, adding business updates, and making business connections)
• Donor database (create, maintain, and update)
• Bookkeeping (sent out end of year donor letters, and maintain financial bookkeeping records)

These are just a sampling of tasks that a virtual assistant can help with. Together you can make your dream wish list of tasks, and your virtual assistant will make find solutions for you.

In my next post, we’ll talk about how a virtual assistant can assist with fundraising efforts.

Too often we try to do it all on our own, and that is a waste of resources. So, take a minute to review what you are spending your time doing, and then consider giving over everything that doesn’t need your personal attention to a virtual assistant.

According to AssistU (the premiere organization for training virtual assistants), a virtual assistant (or VA) is a micro business owner who provides administrative and personal support to clients in long-term and deeply collaborative relationships. A VA frees a client up to do more of what the client loves and does best.

So, how are you overworking yourself? Have you taken on all aspects of the business to get it up and running? If so, what’s lacking? What’s not getting done?

This month, I’ll be writing a few blog posts about the benefits of a nonprofit organization working with a virtual assistant.

The Public Relations Handbook for Nonprofits: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide by Art Feinglass

Nonprofit organizations must employ effective, professional public relations techniques in order to get the recognition, support and dollars they need to fulfill their missions. The Public Relations Handbook for Nonprofits offers you the first comprehensive guide to all the practices organizations need to do well in their efforts to do good. This title examines all the elements, tools and processes involved in an effective nonprofit PR campaign.

Offering a combination of theory and practice, it shows you how to market to your key audiences, both inside and outside of your organization. In addition to helping you understand you target markets and shaping your message for your audience, Feinglass discusses all the key public relations vehicles, including:
news releases, press kits, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, direct mail, advertising, the internet, special events

A final chapter walks you step by step through the process of developing your own comprehensive public relations campaign.

So, you’ve decided to start a nonprofit! You have a great business idea that you want to share with the world, and have it publicly funded. I’ve talked to many individuals who have decided to start nonprofits, but with the idea that they’ll run it the way they want to. They will set the agenda, and decide the direction of the organization. I’ve advised those individuals to start a for-profit company.

Nonprofits are meant to be publicly funded; therefore, they need to be publicly governed as well. Boards of Directors govern nonprofits. Boards enforce the mission through goals and policies setting for nonprofits. Also, it is important to note that Boards are comprised of citizens with an interest in the organizations wellbeing. They are typically volunteers, and are usually passionate about the mission of the organization. So, consider wisely if you want to maintain the control over your “good cause” business. If you do, then what you really need to start is a for-profit business.

There are similarities between non- and for-profit businesses. You complete similar incorporation paperwork, you definitely put in the same creative energy, but it is the governing part that makes the hugest difference. For-profit business owners set their goals, and move full steam ahead. While, nonprofits have more layers to go through when setting goals and moving forward. The Board is not there to be a deterrent, but instead to be the heart of the organization. The Board ensures that the organization is meeting its goals and upholding its mission. So, an organization is only as strong as its Board. (I know that is such an old cliché, but so true.)

Consider a few things before deciding to create a nonprofit:
1.  Are there other organizations doing what you want to do? Would it be better for you to combine your efforts?
2.  Are you ready to give up your control for the betterment of the work, and the individuals that will benefit from it?
3.  How will you fund the initial costs of starting your nonprofit?

There are many more questions that you should ask yourself. These are just a few. Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, go think!

Leveraging Good Will: Strengthening Nonprofits by Engaging Businesses by Alice Korngold

Leveraging Good Will shows how nonprofit organizations can access the extraordinary resources of businesses, and how for-profits can benefit from partnering with nonprofits. Written by Alice Korngold—an expert in matching business professionals with nonprofit organizations—this important resource clearly demonstrates how nonprofits can gain valuable experience, expertise, relationships, and funding that will elevate and advance their organizations while businesses can build stronger relationships with the community and develop the next generation of leaders. Filled with illustrative examples and real-life success stories, Leveraging Good Will is an insider’s guide to what it takes for nonprofits to transform their organizations through partnerships with businesses. Step by step, the book outlines how to create a solid plan based on proven-in-practice techniques.

I have spent time with the most patient, insightful, and brilliant web designer around (Agnes Ikotun of AI Virtual Solutions). Agnes took the time to hear me out, to capture my vision, and then to create a website that I think encapsulates Nonprofit Connectors (NPC). She revived NPC with a facelift, updated fonts, new logo, and other much needed features.

In addition to the new website, NPC now has it long awaited for Forum. It is a space where newly established nonprofit executives can meet other nonprofit executives, and share struggles, roadblocks, and most importantly solutions. This Forum is not only for new executives, but established one as well. If you are inclined to help a neighbor get a much needed community project started, then I would encourage you to sign up for NPC’s Forum.

It has been my vision for years to bring to the newly formed nonprofit community a way to connect, and support other nonprofit organizations in their growth. Especially during this time of economic distress, we must find more ways to work together to share resources; thus causing growth for all involved.

Nonprofit Connectors would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit our website, and take advantage of our FREE Forum by signing up today

Nonprofit Essentials: The Capital Campaign by Julia Ingraham Walker

Preparation. Planning. Execution. It’s all here!
Finally, a clear and compelling guide to the key components shared by all campaigns. Illuminating case studies, practical tools, proven strategies, and helpful hints displayed throughout the book highlight solutions to common stumbling blocks that can trip up even the experienced campaign professional. Emphasis is given to new tools available through the Internet, such as Web sites for prospect research and the use of electronic media to help make your organization’s case stand out among the competition.

Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating, and Implementing the Process by C. Davis Fogg

Strategic planning is a critical part of running a business, but when you get a team of people together to plan, it can often become a confused exercise in grand visions without a clear process for establishing workable goals. This book is unique in providing both guidance for the actual content of strategic plans and techniques for how to plan in a team context. Readers will discover how to: * structure the process so it custom fits their company needs * effectively facilitate the process (keep meetings on track, train others in planning skills, document decisions made at meetings, present and communicate the plan) * use teams and teamwork smoothly and productively to create a far-reaching plan — and then to implement it Features detailed guidelines for each step, dozens of flowcharts, and three self-contained “”facilitator’s guides”" to follow.