The Practice of Nonprofit Leadership

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Busy, Busy, Busy.  That seems to be the reply that many nonprofit leaders give when asked how things are going.  What if there's a way to turn the overwhelming chaos of our daily tasks into a streamlined path to productivity?

On today's episode, Tim and Nathan focus on 4 key areas of nonprofit leadership and suggest practical ways to stop just being busy and move to being intentionally productive.  

The areas discussed are:

1. Meetings
2. Email
3. Program Expansion
4. Leading Staff/Volunteers

 Let Tim and Nathan guide you in navigating these challenges, ensuring your nonprofit thrives and makes the meaningful difference it was meant to achieve.

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The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

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Is it possible for leaders to truly navigate the stormy seas of political upheaval with grace and purpose? 

On today's episode, Tim and Nathan provide their thoughts about the election and the ongoing rhetoric and conversation on social media, in the news media, and face to face.  The discussion also centers on responding correctly as nonprofit leaders and actions that can be taken to do so.

Nonprofit leaders are encouraged to take the following actions:

• Be strategic in your response
• Get input from the Board
• Take the time to get different perspectives
• Don't forget it is about the people the organization serves

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The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Interested in enhancing your leadership skills by learning the art of providing effective feedback. On today's episode, Tim and Nathan discuss the secrets to transforming feedback into a powerful tool for team development. 

Learn how to create a culture where mistakes are stepping stones to success, and explore strategies to approach challenging situations with calm and clarity. Using the fictional tale of Sarah and John from a nonprofit animal shelter, Tim and Nathan illustrate the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—and show you how to apply it to resolve miscommunications and improve your team's performance.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Hey there, nonprofit leaders! Ready to shake up your networking game in this post-COVID world? 

Let's face it - networking events aren't quite the same since the pandemic, right? And if you're an introvert, you might be feeling the struggle even more.  On today's episode, Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby share some game-changing insights that'll transform how you build connections, strength those relationships, and ultimately connect more people to your organization. 

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

What happens when nonprofit leaders embrace risk and cultivate tenacity?

 Join hosts Tim Barnes and Nathan Ruby as they uncover key strategies to help nonprofit leaders thrive amidst challenges...strategies such as cultivating a strong sense of purpose, embracing challenges and learning from failures, fostering a positive organizational culture, and keeping the big picture in mind.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Imagine stepping into a leadership role with an overwhelming inbox and the task of transforming not just your job but an entire organization. That's exactly what Colleen Shaughnessy faced on her first day as Executive Director of Youth Heartline in Taos, New Mexico.

In this episode, Colleen shares her journey with Nathan, going from being a team member to leading the organization, unraveling the complexities of her new role with honesty and insight. She reveals how she tackled a number of incredible challenges,  the strategic moves she made to shift from peer to leader, and the emotional roller coaster that accompanied her transition. Colleen's story unfolds with lessons in patience, intuition, and the power of relationships. She discusses her evolution in fundraising, transforming from a hesitant beginner to a confident advocate for her cause. 

Listen as Colleen's experiences offer a roadmap for personal growth and organizational change as a new Nonprofit Executive Director.

Colleen can be contacted at the following:

Colleen Shaughnessy
[email protected]
www.youthheartline.org

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

Ready to transform your nonprofit’s strategic planning? 

This episode promises to equip you with practical advice on conducting an effective SWOT analysis, and shows you how even the smallest nonprofits can benefit from this robust but simple tool. 

Tim and Nathan start the discussion with a fun word association game to ease into the key concepts of SWOT—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats...followed by breaking down each area with real nonprofit examples. 
 
Discover why dedicating time to strategic planning is critical and how to navigate common pitfalls without complicating the process. 

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

How do you build a board that can truly drive your nonprofit's mission forward? Who do you need and how do you find them?

Tim and Nathan answer these questions and also provide practical tips and strategies for adding members to your board.  Leveraging existing board members' networks, tapping into engaged donors and active volunteers, and maintaining community connections are all key tactics that are explored.  

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced this week (September 18, 2024) a 50 basis point cut in interest rates, with reactions of joy from some and concern from others.  So what?  How does that impact me as a nonprofit leader?

In this special edition of the Practice of Nonprofit Leadership, Nathan Ruby tackles that topic and provides some practical fundraising tips in light of the interest rate news. 

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.

Send us a text

What if the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations wasn't funding, but the volunteers who power them?

Join us as we unpack this provocative idea with Jada Hoerr, Chief Resource Officer of Midwest Food Bank, and Corey Barrette, Volunteer and Community Relations Manager at Midwest Food Bank - New England. Jada and Corey reveal how an army of nearly 40,000 volunteers helps distribute a staggering $500 million worth of food annually, transforming lives and shaping communities along the way. 

In this episode, we explore the essential ingredients of a thriving volunteer program, from aligning volunteers with an organization's mission to the significance of effective communication and engagement. Discover why creating a sense of community and fostering a safe, organized environment are cornerstones of successful volunteer initiatives. 

Jada and Corey share practical strategies for understanding volunteers' availability, interests, and physical capabilities, ensuring even routine tasks feel meaningful by connecting them to the organization's mission. We’ll also discuss how passionate volunteers often become ardent donors, demonstrating that building a robust volunteer culture can yield lasting benefits for any nonprofit. Tune in to uncover how to unlock the transformative power of volunteerism in your organization.

Support the show

The Hosts of The Practice of NonProfit Leadership:

Tim Barnes serves as the Executive Vice President of International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

Nathan Ruby serves as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH)

They can be reached at [email protected]

All opinions and views expressed by the hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent those of their respective organizations.