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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Well, I believe I found it! It is a combination of several techniques that take me back to my project planner days; so, I’ve made a list of the items you’ll need:

* a wall calendar you can write on
* color pens
* electronic calendar (I use Outlook)
* and, some time!

The object is to map out your month to month on the wall calendar (this the big picture scope), and then itemize the actions, activities, meetings, etc. on your electronic day to day calendar. The key is capture as much about a project, task, and/or deadline as possible. So, some people, like me, need to break it down into small everyday manageable pieces. I love looking on the wall and seeing at a glance what is coming up, but I need it practical steps within my daily list of tasks.

Now I use color pens to quickly identify things that I see at a glance. I’ve even gone one extra step and color coded all of my clients and my two businesses. So, when I see light blue pen on the board, I know this relates to Nonprofit Connectors. In order to keep that system going, I’ve color coded my files the same way. I even have colored line paper to match. This way, when I write a note and leave it on my desk, the color of the paper tells me what folder it belongs in. This may be too advanced for you now. So, we’ll revisit the color coded filing system.

The main point here is that time management is all about planning. So, be intentional, and try different techniques. When you find something that works, create a habit. For me, I have to repeat a thing daily for at least three weeks before it sticks.

Now, go pick up a wall calendar, some color pens, and get to creating your time management system. Please share your time management process; I love learning about new ones!

Too often I hear people referring to ALL nonprofit organizations as a 501(c)3 and they are not. So, I thought it would be beneficial to list the various types of nonprofits.

Here is a list from Internal Revenue Services of the types of nonprofit organizations:
501(c)(1) — Corporations organized under acts of Congress such as Federal Credit Unions
501(c)(2) — Title holding corporations for exempt organizations
501(c)(3) — Various charitable, non-profit, religious, and educational organizations (see below)
501(c)(4) — Various political education organizations (see below)
501(c)(5) — Labor Unions and Agriculture
501(c)(6) — Business league and chamber of commerce organizations (see below)
501(c)(7) — Recreational club organizations
501(c)(8) — Fraternal beneficiary societies
501(c)(9) — Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Associations
501(c)(10) — Fraternal lodge societies
501(c)(11) — Teachers’ retirement fund associations
501(c)(12) — Local Benevolent Life Insurance Associations, Mutual Irrigation and Telephone Companies and like organizations
501(c)(13) — Cemetery companies
501(c)(14) — Credit Unions
501(c)(15) — Mutual insurance companies
501(c)(16) — Corporations organized to finance crop operations
501(c)(17) — Employees’ associations
501(c)(18) — Employee-funded pension trusts created before June 25, 1959
501(c)(19) — Veterans’ organizations
501(c)(20) — Group legal services plan organizations
501(c)(21) — Black lung benefit trusts
501(c)(22) — Withdrawal liability payment fund
501(c)(23) — Veterans’ organizations created before 1880
501(c)(25) — Title-holding corporations for qualified exempt organizations
501(c)(26) — State-sponsored high-risk health coverage organizations
501(c)(27) — State-sponsored workers’ compensation reinsurance organizations
501(c)(28) — National railroad retirement investment trust
501(d) — Religious and Apostolic associations
501(e) — Cooperative hospital service organizations
501(f) — Cooperative service organizations of operating educational organizations
501(k) — Child care organizations
501(n) — Charitable risk pools
521(a) — Farmers’ cooperative associations
527 — Political organizations

To get more detailed information go to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf pages 60 and 61 give you an Organizational Reference Chart. It is a very handy tool when deciding what type of nonprofit you are starting.

Well, Nestle Chocolates’ has made a customer out of me. A friend on FaceBook said call their hotline (800-295-0051), and when it asks you to select English or Spanish option just wait 10 seconds and you’ll smile. (I did!) Then select 4, and listen to the options. (I smiled even harder!) Then I selected 7 as my final option. (Then I laughed out loud!)

In my opinion Nestle’s has come up with a way to drum up attention, get people to remember their number, and to appeal to their clients of all ages. Simply put, they found a way to keep people coming back! I love it! It reminded me to remind you that as you are building, and growing, your nonprofit organizations keep the main reason for doing your nonprofit the main reason. Have fun, and that will attract more participants, funding, and it will keep the community engaged. After all, isn’t that why you started your nonprofit in the first place?