More advice for nonprofits in tough times

As a nonprofit leader trying to navigate stormy economic times, you're probably open to any advice you can get. But too often, says Jan Masaoka, director and editor in chief of Blue Avocado, a bi-monthly online publication for community-based nonprofits, the "advice from the philanthropic-consultant industrial complex is enough to make a person depressed or even angry." Writes Jan: "I heard a well-known nonprofit guru tell an audience, 'And when we were really stuck about what to do, I picked up the phone and called my friend Al Gore.' I felt like throwing a shoe at him! How is this a replicable, usable strategy?"

Masaoka knows something about replicable, usable strategies -- she was executive director of Com-passPoint Nonprofit Services for fourteen years and wrote the widely read Board Cafe newsletter. In the current issue of Blue Avocado, she offers five concrete, and somewhat contrarian, ideas to help nonprofits get through these tough times.

1. Declare an emergency.
2. Schedule worrying for later.
3. Do less with less.
4. Ask for help, even if you don't know what would help.
5. Call a community summit on your behalf.

You'll have jump over to the Blue Avocado site to get the rest of Jan's
excellent advice (www.blueavocado.org) But before you do, I have to share her parting thoughts from the current is- sue: “A colleague once told me his "Four Commandments":

a) Show up.
b) Pay attention.
c) Do your best.
d) Let go.

What more can any of us do, really?” What more, indeed. I couldn’t think of better advice for the new year. Thank you, Jan, and thanks to all of you for your hard work and dedication to this community and all who live and dream here! Here’s a great 2009.

Rick G. Carter
Executive Director
Lincoln/Lancaster County Human Services Federation
www.hsfed.org