Lesson 1: Trust but verify...things may not be as they appear. A nonprofit I was quite familiar with (or so I thought) hired me as their Executive Director. The thorough interviewing process had included multiple meetings, reference checks, and writing samples. At the time, I didn't think it odd that none of the meetings took place at the organization's offices. It never dawned on me to bring it up. I had worked with the organization in the past and been to the office many times. But I soon learned why I wasn't given a formal tour. On my first day I was told, "The building the offices were originally are going to be demolished. We've relocated the offices to a temporary location, but your first assignment is to find a new home for the organization. Oh, by the way, we only have one year's salary for you. After that it's up to you." After I pulled myself together and closed the gaping hole my dropped jaw produced, I went to work finding a new job. Nope, just kidding. I was sold out on the mission and my vision for the organization. So I went to work finding a location. It was an interesting three and half years with many more lessons learned along the wayA nonprofit I was quite familiar with (or so I thought) hired me as their Executive Director. The thorough interviewing process had included multiple meetings, reference checks, and writing samples. At the time, I didn't think it odd that none of the meetings took place at the organization's offices. It never dawned on me to bring it up. I had worked with the organization in the past and been to the office many times. But I soon learned why I wasn't given a formal tour. On my first day I was told, "The building the offices were originally in are going to be demolished. We've relocated the offices to a temporary location, but your first assignment is to find a new home for the organization. Oh, by the way, we only have one year's salary for you. After that it's up to you." After I pulled myself together and closed the gaping hole my dropped jaw had produced, I went to work finding a new job. No, just kidding. I was sold out on the mission and my vision for the organization, so I went to work finding a new location. It was an interesting three and half years with many more lessons learned along the way!
Lesson 2: You'd be surprised what you can get if you'd just ask. Since the location of my offices were temporary (no specifics were given on when I'd have to move), time was of the essence to find a new home of the organization. But there was a problem. The organization had funding for my salary and little else. So where was I going to find a fairly decent place to operate the organization at little or no cost? I thought about it for about a week and then a light-bulb moment came. At the time, the organization more or less only existed on a paper; but I had a vision and it included providing a host of services and resources to the community. So I thought, what better place function than in a public school and headed over to a local school to meet with the Principal. I shared with her my vision (some might have called it a pipe dream) and my need for a "no or low cost" space. By the time I was finished, she was as excited (or delusional) as me. Here I was -- one person with a dream and no resources telling her about all that we would do at and for the school and community. She asked me to follow her. As we walked down the hall in the direction of the main doors (for a second I thought, "And this is how you get a 'crazy lady' off of your campus," but she kept walking), she revealed that not only did she buy-in to my vision but she had far more space and resources to offer than I could have imagined. She explained how the whole wing of the first floor was unoccupied and she'd been trying to figure what to do with it. I actually had to fight back tears. She gave me access to the full wing of classrooms, telephone usage, and utilities for FREE!! The only catch was we had to operate when the school was open. As a mom, that was a win-win for me! For more than two years after that we were a formal partner of the school, providing a host of services to the students, faculty and parents.
Lesson 3: Start with what you have and GROW from there. By the time I came on board all of the staff had transitioned out. For over a year, I was the only paid staff. I called it the "Me and Jesus" period. Because there were no other staff (or resources to pay them if I had them), I needed to figure out a way to rebuild the organization from an outdated website, boxes of files, and little old me. The community I had been charged with serving had many needs. But how could I even begin to address them? I was in no position to do much of anything, or so I thought. Then as I looked around the sparsely furnished classroom I realized I had space and lots of it! I began thinking how I had worked with a lot of organizations in recent years and made strong connections with many advocates, educators and service providers that focused on a host of issues important to the community I served. I reached out to ALL OF THEM and began developing a community outreach and education program. Each of my friends were funded to reach my community, so we developed mutually beneficial partnerships -- I provided the people and they provided high-quality education, resources and services. Overnight (OK, I'm exaggerating a bit), the organization went from "never heard of it" status within the community to a recognized resource and asset. In fact, I began receiving calls from organizations not in my contacts that were asking to partner. I even got a call from a local foundation asking to come visit and discuss how they could get involved.
Over the course of the three years, I went from just me to several full-time staff and an army of volunteers who provided a host of housing, health, and human services and events that were supported by foundations, corporations, and grants from federal, state, local agencies. As I reflect back now, I still have a hard time believing it. I guess it just goes to show what one person with a vision can achieve. It's this experience that fuels my energy when I'm working with a new nonprofit founder or Executive Director. Many of them feel like their vision is crazy or the goals are too lofty in comparison to their current situation. I just smile because I know, if they are serious, committed and OK with being considered "crazy" for a little while, they'll get to experience euphoria that comes with turning your vision into your reality. Keep doing good!
Michelle Nusum-Smith, a licensed nonprofit consultant, coach and trainer, is owner and principal consultant at The Word Woman LLC, a consultancy that helps nonprofits, government agencies, and individuals to develop the skills, knowledge and resources to achieve their missions to do good. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience, Michelle has expertise in organizational development and leadership, board development, program development, financial management, fundraising, marketing, and community relations. She is licensed to offer consulting services for the Maryland Nonprofit’s Standards for Excellence® program. Michelle has the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to work with nonprofit organizations across the country interested in learning about and implementing the Standards for Excellence code.
www.thewordwomanllc.com • info@thewordwomanllc.com • 240-215-4984
