Blogs

January 2012
Management v. Leadership

Dear Friends,

It's a new year and for many, a time to think about the "big picture." Among the larger issues I am discussing with my students in the Nonprofit Management class I teach at Antioch University Los Angeles is the nature of leadership.

What is your view of leadership? I welcome your reflections. Please write to me any time at davidnorgard@od180.com or through Twitter @OD180. 

Peace,
David

December 2011
Annual Meetings: The Good, the Bad, and the Necessary

Dear Friends,
Just returning from the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles prompts me to reflect on annual meetings in general - the good, the bad, and the necessary.

I invite you to share a reflection on an annual meeting you have attended or led, whether good, bad, or indifferent. By doing so, you might just find some new insight about it.

Peace,
David

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LinkedIn: David Norgard Email: davidnorgard@od180.com

November 2011
From Big Idea to Little Thank You Notes

Dear Friends,

A friend and colleague has been contemplating a major restoration project lately and has talked with me in a preliminary fashion about managing a capital campaign. He posed a question I have never been asked before. Prefacing it, he said, "I know a feasibility study should come before a capital campaign." "But what," he continued, "comes before the feasibility study?"

October 2011
Four Principles

Dear Friends,

I have been working of late on a long overdue update of the OD180 website and it has proven to be an undertaking that is at once both reflective and creative for me. In particular, it has prompted me to review - and restate - the premises of all my work with nonprofit organizations.

I hope you find these assertions provocative and will let me know what you think. I welcome your objections, refutations, congratulations, salutations, observations, and implications. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com.

Peace,
David

September 2011
What Learning Might Best Prepare Nonprofit Leaders?

Dear Friends,

I was invited recently by some colleagues to join a conversation on community leadership. Focusing for a time on the nonprofit sector specifically, the conversation made me wonder: What learning would serve nonprofit executives well as they address the challenges they face in their roles?

June 2011
Who Can We Get?

Dear Friends,

"Who can we get?" There are two or three seats opening on your board soon and no one that you really want comes to mind. So what do you do? That is the question that prompts this month's topic: board recruitment.

Share with me your stories about board recruitment and I will share them with others in a future letter. Write to me at davidnorgard@OD180.com or connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter @ OD180.

Peace,
David

May 2011
State Your Case!

Dear Friends,

While many of us see signs that the economy is improving, it's not as if money is falling from trees for us to rake up at our leisure. Effective fundraising continues to require a comprehensive development plan (an OD180 specialty) methodically implemented, cultivating an appropriate balance of multiple sources and soliciting them appropriately. I have written about how to prepare such comprehensive development plans in previous letters but this month I address an even more fundamental question: What is your case for support?

April 2011
Oh my God! She/He is leaving!

Dear Friends,

Last month I shared a cautionary tale with you by Nat Eddy, a longtime friend, about the importance of understanding financial reports. Another dear friend wrote to thank Nat and me and then proceeded to outline his own story about "what to do when crisis strikes," specifically the departure of a key staff member. Again, his wisdom was so sound and widely applicable that I share it with you all. Thanks to David Cupps, a fine nonprofit consultant based in Lexington, Kentucky, for writing. (http://www.cuppsconsulting.com/)

March 2011
A Cautionary Tale

Dear Friends,

A longtime friend (and Yale Divinity School classmate) shared a story with me recently which was so compelling and valuable that I asked his permission to share it with all of you. My thanks go to Nat Eddy of Deep River, Connecticut who tells a cautionary tale to anyone who sits on a board of directors and wonders silently about what the numbers in those financial reports really mean.

February 2011
Top Ten Resources for Nonprofit Leaders & Managers 2011

Dear Friends,

As promised, I am happy to offer this month my personal "Top Ten List" of resources for 2011. The criteria for these selections were twofold: either I refer to it often or I consider it has had a major impact on my thinking. That being said, it is, of course, an entirely subjective list. When I compile the 2012 edition, it will be interesting to note what has been added and what dropped.

This year's list includes a magazine, a few websites/organizations, and several books. In different ways, they each offer uncommon value to nonprofit leaders and managers.

Janaury 2011
Are You Fit for Service? A Pop Quiz

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! In a second break with custom, I offer this personal reflection on organizational change.

As always, I welcome your questions and your comments. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com or connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - all at OD180.

Peace,
David

OD180 Values

Courage in Commitment... Creativity in Approach... Honesty in Communication...
Generosity of Spirit... Steadfastness of Purpose

December 2010
Are You Fit for Service? A Pop Quiz

Dear Friends,

I know you are accustomed to getting some questions answered in this monthly missive - whether you asked them or not! To keep you alert, though, this month I am giving you, my dear readers, a pop quiz. Its subject matter is the board of directors. Of all the distinctive roles within the nonprofit organization, it is the role of the board member - as well as the board as a whole - that consistently brings forth a rather astounding amalgam of confidence and ignorance. So, with equal measures of good humor and sound governance policy, I present to you this unprecedented OD180 Test of Nonprofit Prowess.

November 2010
Annual Reports

Dear Friends,

Are you starting to outline your annual report yet? I know what you are thinking... we don't bother with them (anymore). Well, before you ring in the new year with no plan to memorialize the old one, read this updated case for annual reports.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Write to me anytime at davidnorgard@OD180.com. You can also connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter - all at OD180.

Peace,
David

October 2010
Sayings 2010

Dear Friends,

Last October, I offered for the first time a sampling of sayings that I have found helpful in leading and managing organizations. Some were original, others were borrowed. All have withstood the test of repeated personal experiment. If one listens carefully both to one's own heart and to others, wisdom can accrue. So I am pleased to present this month my second annual "Sayings" collection.

If you have a word of wisdom to share, I hope you will. Send it to me at davidnorgard@od180.com and I will include it next month, with appreciative attribution, of course!

September 2010
Board Retreats

Dear Friends,

I hope summer afforded you some time for rest and relaxation. Now, I know, for many of you it is the start of the academic or program year and schedules are again hectic.

For some, among the items taking up considerable blocks of time is an "annual board retreat" (or the equivalent thereof in your context). As I have the privilege of leading several of these this fall, I would like to share some reflections on when they are worth the extra effort they require and when you shouldn't bother.