Building Senior Leadership Teams

Trust, common goals, defined roles and good relationships lead to organizational sustainability

By Leslie Bonner, Senior Consultant, Dewey & Kaye

Leadership of a nonprofit is a shared activity. Successful organizations are led not just by an Executive Director or CEO, but include a high performing and cohesive team of senior leaders.

The Business Case for Building Leadership Teams

By Leslie Bonner, Senior Consultant, Dewey & Kaye

While we cannot promise you an immediate financial return on your investment in team and leadership development, we can point to proven benefits that result from a well–executed team development plan.

In the 1st Person: Life as an Interim Executive

By Geoffrey Stillson

When an organization loses key leadership and looks outside of the organization to find a replacement, a leadership vacuum may develop. If the organization does a full search to fill the position, it could take three to six months or longer to find the right new leader. Allowing an organization to go through this interim period without strong leadership can create challenges or let existing problems fester, even in an organization that has been functioning at a high level.

Happy New Year!

Our entire firm would like to wish you
a New Year of Peace & Happiness!

The Cost of Doing Business

By Kate Sphar, Senior Consultant, Dewey & Kaye

With the onset of our current economic condition, nonprofit organizations have become increasingly cautious about their spending. Are we stretching every dime as far as we can? Are there costs we can cut while we weather the storm?

Senior Pennsylvania State Government Official Assumes Role as Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board CEO

(Pittsburgh, PA – Monday, January 4, 2010) — The Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (TRWIB) announced today the selection of Stefani Pashman as the organization's next CEO. Ms. Pashman will assume leadership of the TRWIB on February 1, 2010. Stefani will be replacing the organization's founder, Ron Painter, who left the agency earlier in the year to assume the role as President of the National Association of Workforce Boards.

Nonprofit Corporate Governance — An Overview

By Chris Farrell, Cohen & Grigsby, PC

Today, individuals serving as directors of nonprofit organizations find themselves at the center of a very significant confluence. Whereas, in years past, membership on nonprofit boards entailed the good faith exercise of personal judgment so as to foster the best interests of the organization, such conduct now represents the minimum performance expected of all board members. Modern crosscurrents of increased corporate compliance and regulatory oversight have led to a heightened expectancy as to overall board performance which, in the words of the International Revenue Service, now requires each board member to be "active, engaged and independent."

Managing Risk in an Improbable World

By Carlye Christianson and Melanie Lockwood Herman

In his fascinating book, Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities, University of Toronto professor Jeffrey S. Rosenthal explores the science of probabilities.

How To Do a Good Job on a Nonprofit Board

So you've joined the board of a nonprofit where you care about the mission and the work, you think you can be useful, and you like some of the people you'll be working with – – the ones you've met so far. What do you do next in order to be productive?

Congratulations!

Dewey & Kaye congratulates Jesse McClean on his new position as Executive Director of Every Child, Inc.

Dewey & Kaye congratulates Naomi Tannenbaum on her new position as Manager of Community Programs of the Student Conservation Association.

We congratulate these talented people and thank them for their dedication to the nonprofit sector!

Mosaic Featured Postings:

Chief Financial Officer, Wesley Spectrum Services – Pittsburgh, PA

Director of Annual Campaigns & Special Gifts, Medical & Health Sciences Foundation – Pittsburgh, PA

"Diversity In Energy" Program Manager, Regional Opportunity Center – Pittsburgh, PA

Executive Director, Pittsburgh Cares – Pittsburgh, PA

Executive Director, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group – Pittsburgh, PA

YNDC Hires Former Banker as New Executive Director

By: Skolnick, David. (2009, October 28). Vindy.com.

The organization ‘could not have selected a more committed, qualified and capable individual,’ the mayor said.

YOUNGSTOWN — An organization that will focus on stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods in Youngstown has hired Presley Gillespie, a former bank executive, as its executive director.

Congratulations

Dewey & Kaye would like to extend a warm congratulations to:

Jesse McLean who has been named the new Executive Director of Every Child Inc.

Naomi Tannenbaum who has been named the new Manager of Community Programs of the Student Conservation Association.

We thank these two talented people for their dedication to the nonprofit sector!

Dewey & Kaye is proud to have helped with this search.

Know It When You See It:
Evaluating Nonprofit Business Opportunities

By Shawn Sheridan

The current economic environment is placing the nonprofit sector under an historical level of financial stress. In response to this stress, and in an attempt to assert greater control over the sustainability of their agencies, nonprofit leaders are turning to the creation of earned revenue business ventures in increasingly greater numbers.

St. Margaret Foundation Announces New President

Accomplished Development Professional Leading Foundation Serving the Alle–Kiski Valley

Pittsburgh, Pa. (October 13, 2009) — Dr. Peter G. Ellis, Director of the Medical Oncology Network for UPMC Cancer Centers & Chairman of the St. Margaret Foundation announced yesterday that Mary Lee Gannon has been hired as the President of St. Margaret Foundation following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors.

Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity

Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2010, the Corporation for National and Community Service announces the anticipated availability of approximately $363 million to award new, re–competing, and continuation AmeriCorps State and National Grants.

Dewey & Kaye Nonprofit Whistleblower Service

With the advent of the Internal Revenue Service's revised Form 990, there is increased emphasis placed on good governance practices.

UPDATE: How Nonprofit Leaders and Organizations in Western PA are Coping With the Recession

In 2008 Dewey & Kaye released a study, Nonprofit Leadership Development: A model for identifying and growing leaders within the nonprofit sector, based on in-depth research with a group of 36 successful Human Services leaders and their boards.

Impact and Challenges of the State Budget Stalemate

The interviews we described in the article above were conducted prior to the state budget stalemate. We know from our contact with clients that they are being affected in many different ways.

Two Great Seminars!!

What you don't know - or understand - about basic finance can hurt you and your organization!

Mosaic Featured Postings:

Associate Executive Director, Family Resources – Pittsburgh, PA

Outreach and Communications Manager, Local Government Academy – Pittsburgh, PA

Program Officer, Staunton Farm Foundation – Pittsburgh, PA

Project Manager, Homewood Children's Village – Pittsburgh, PA

Senior Director – Finance & Administration, Family House, Inc. – Pittsburgh, PA

Tobacco Program Coordinator, Tobacco Free Allegheny – Pittsburgh, PA

Follow Dewey & Kaye and get real–time nonprofit job updates on Twitter — http://twitter.com/deweyandkaye.

2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference

October 4 – 6, 2009: The 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference brings together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers to discuss human resources issues of critical importance to the nonprofit sector.

How Do I Get That Nonprofit Job I've Been Seeking?

During my 9 years at Dewey & Kaye I have personally interviewed thousands of individuals, as well as conducted more than 600 interviews with search committees who are wrestling with decisions related to hiring the right professional to lead a nonprofit organization.

Save the Date! 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference

October 4 – 6, 2009:  The 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference brings together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers to discuss human resources issues of critical importance to the nonprofit sector.

Dewey & Kaye Nonprofit Whistleblower Service

With the advent of the Internal Revenue Service's revised Form 990, there is increased emphasis placed on good governance practices.

Click here for more information.

Executive Compensation and the IRS:
Does Your Organization Meet the “Reasonable” Standard?

The revised Form 990 that is required to be used for the 2008 fiscal year (tax returns filed in 2009 and 2010) has been designed to be much more than a financial document.

Save the Date! 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference

October 4 – 6, 2009:  The 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference brings together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers to discuss human resources issues of critical importance to the nonprofit sector.

Dewey & Kaye Nonprofit Whistleblower Service

With the advent of the Internal Revenue Service's revised Form 990, there is increased emphasis placed on good governance practices.

An Auditor's Recommendations on How Best to Prepare for a Nonprofit Audit

Summer, considered by many to be their favorite season of the year, began little more than a few days ago! However, many nonprofit organizations, especially those with June 30th year–ends, may not share the same warm sentiments about another season that has just begun.

Save the Date! 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference

October 4 – 6, 2009:  The 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference brings together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers to discuss human resources issues of critical importance to the nonprofit sector.

Front & Center — Sweaty Palms? Dry Mouth? Heart Pounding?

James C. Roddey Offers 10 Tips To Less-Painful Public Speaking.

Back by Popular Demand...Two Great Seminars!!

What you don't know — or understand — about basic finance can hurt you and your organization! Dewey & Kaye's nonprofit financial capacity training series presents:

Click here

Save the Date! 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference

October 4 – 6, 2009:  The 2009 Nonprofit Human Resources Conference brings together nonprofit human resources practitioners, executives, thought leaders and researchers to discuss human resources issues of critical importance to the nonprofit sector.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR NONPROFITS:
THE POWER OF "WHAT IF . . ." THINKING

Much has already been written in the national and local media about the impact of the recession on nonprofit organizations" financial health and bears no repeating here. What this brief article does present is a quick guide for implementing contingency planning in your nonprofit organization as a high–impact response to these difficult economic times.

LEADERSHIP PROFILES: Assessing and Adapting Your Leadership and Management Style

Are you trying to create your personal development plan and need to know where to start? Are you a leader of a nonprofit seeking to improve your leadership and management abilities? Do you aspire to be a leader or manager in a nonprofit?

Here's what people said after attending this workshop:

"I learned quite a bit of good information that will help me be a better leader and manager to my quite diverse group of direct reports."

"The cost/benefit ratio of what this program costs was more than fair – it was well worth the cost."

Expanded to a Full Day

Our recently sold out workshop on LEADERSHIP PROFILES: Assessing and Adapting Your Leadership and Management Style will be expanded from a half day to a full day.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Dewey & Kaye Offices

2nd Course — Strategic Financial Management for CEOs and Program Managers

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

8:30 am – 12:00 noon

Dewey & Kaye Offices

This is the second course in Dewey & Kaye's nonprofit financial capacity training series, designed to provide nonprofit leaders the tools to move from simple managing the finances of their organization to strategically using financial information to ensure effective decision–making and organizational sustainability.

Click Here for more information.

$125 Participant Fee includes course materials and nonprofit financial resources (Group discounts available)

Class size is limited...Guarantee your seat today!

Contact Sherry Parker at 412–434–1335 or sparker@mccmcd.com.

Personal Strategies for Coping with Workplace Change and Stress

Change can come sweeping in unexpectedly or it can sneak up on us. It comes as a result of painful economic realities or as the result of opportunity and increased demand for services. This article offers four strategies individuals can use to cope with change and stress in the workplace.

FOR MANAGERS: Leading in Times of Transition, Trust Me: Communication Is Key

"To see real change and gain significant benefits from their strategies, leaders need to establish an environment of trust," says the Center for Creative Leadership's Michael Wakefield. "Leaders who are trusted — even in times of great difficulty — are skilled communicators."

Green Building Alliance
Announces New Executive Director

Search recently completed by Dewey & Kaye and the GBA Search Committee.

Pittsburgh, Pa. (April 2, 2009) — Just one day after the New York Times featured Pittsburgh's leadership position with the green building movement, the Green Building Alliance (GBA) announced its new Executive Director Holly Childs.

For Job Seekers
Dewey & Kaye provides retained executive search and transition management services for our clients. While we're not an employment agency, we do have the ability to receive unsolicited resumes from individuals interested in employment in the nonprofit sector...

For Employers
To submit a job announcement and be connected with thousands of qualified applicants looking for work in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia...

Mosaic Featured Postings:

Chief Executive Officer, Chartiers Community Mental Health & Retardation Center, Inc. – Morgantown, WV

Chief Financial Officer, Mars Home for Youth – Mars, PA

Major Gifts Officer, Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation (MWRIF) – Pittsburgh, PA

President and CEO, 3 Rivers Connect (3rc) – Pittsburgh, PA

Surviving Financially in Today's Economy

In these particularly uncertain economic times, many nonprofits may be facing 2009 with more dread than optimism. Regardless of industry, size, or type of work, community based nonprofits are faced with a variety of crucial challenges in 2009:

• Maintaining their mission
• Offsetting unanticipated funding loss
• Keeping their doors open

Strategic Planning and Community Engagement Tool

Dewey & Kaye, in partnership with 3 Rivers Connect (3RC), recently completed an in–depth study of real estate development activity in Pittsburgh's Hill District.

Mosaic Tip

To fully deliver on mission, each nonprofit organization needs to understand the characteristics of the individuals and neighborhoods it serves. There are several excellent resources available online to assist your organization in conducting affordable, efficient demographic research.

Is Collaboration a Sensible Investment Strategy?

Nonprofits are often encouraged by funders and other stakeholders to consider collaboration, and in these tough times, it is mentioned often as a strategy. But is it a sensible investment? There are real challenges in considering any level of collaboration. Consider the investment of time and the element of trust that is needed to build a strong friendship. Similarly, the "collaborative courtship" between organizations also demands those same elements of time and trust to move beyond the competitive turf issues.

New Nonprofit Leadership Assessment Workshop

Group Discounts Available

Dewey & Kaye presents the first workshop in our Nonprofit Leadership Development Series based on findings in our recently released study on how to identify and grow leaders. LEADERSHIP PROFILES: Assessing and Adapting Your Leadership and Management Style will be offered to a limited audience on February 26.

Are you trying to create your personal development plan and need to know where to start? Are you a leader of a nonprofit seeking to improve your leadership and management abilities? Do you aspire to be a leader or manager in a nonprofit? One of the best ways of improving your personal effectiveness and leadership capabilities is by identifying your personal management style and behavioral tendencies. Successful leaders understand themselves, how their behavior impacts others, and how to capitalize on their management strengths.

Current Economic Impacts on Communities
and Nonprofits in 2009

On November 11, 2008, over 450 of you gathered for an honest panel discussion on The Current State of Affairs on Communities and Nonprofits in 2009. After receiving many of your requests, we are providing you with a summary of the discussion. Please feel free to pass it along to your Board members, Executives and networks.

Mosaic Tip

KEEP YOUR “RATIOS” IN CHECK!

With a tightening economy and more deliberation on the part of individual donors and foundations, two metrics have increased their power. One is the organization's efficiency ratio, which compares how much a nonprofit spends on fulfilling its mission (programs) with what it spends on overhead and fundraising. The other is the fundraising ratio, which compares fundraising costs as a percentage of contributions. The higher a nonprofit's efficiency ratio and the lower its fundraising percentage, the more comfortable donors will feel about giving money, knowing that most of it will be spent on programs.

Reader Poll

This Month's Question:

How will your nonprofit organization begin 2009?

• Operating according to a strategic plan
• In the process of completing a strategic plan
• Operating without a strategic plan
• Other (please specify)