Perspectives From the Pipeline

Introducing rosettathurman.com!

2008-11-30T20:38:00.002-05:00

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. While I was stuffing my face with my mom's delicious sweet potato pie, I moved my blog over to my own domain name. Check it out at www.rosettathurman.com! You'll find the same commentary about next generation leadership and social change. Essentially, it's a new URL, but the same great blog. You'll notice that I've added a bunch of new resources if you check out the tabs at the top - links to useful nonprofit blogs and websites, upcoming events, etc. And...for the almost 100 readers who've emailed me over the past year and a half as they considered relocating to Washington, DC for a nonprofit job...

I developed a new 12-page e-guide: the Young Nonprofit Professional's Guide to Washington, DC!

Head on over to www.rosettathurman.com and resubscribe to get the same fabulous blog updates from yours truly. Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to continuing this wonderful conversation about your leadership, my leadership, and the leadership we need to create the world as it should be.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T11:54:00.003-05:00

Photo by Gracie

I hope you all enjoy the holiday and take a pause to give thanks for all that is good and true in your life. I'm giving thanks that over 300 of you now read this blog every day and contribute to the conversations here. Next week, I will be launching a new space for this blog to make it easier for me to share more nonprofit resources with this community. See you Monday!

After 10 Years, Julian Bond Makes Way for "New Generation of NAACP Board Leadership"

2008-11-19T17:56:00.008-05:00

Baltimore Sun reports that our boy Julian Bond is finally stepping down as Chairman of the NAACP's board after 10 years, although he will still remain on the Board. He has served in that lead role since 1998. Julian, who at 68 years old is a member of the Silent Generation, said the time is right to "let a new generation of leaders" take over the NAACP. Sho' ya right. Bond's latest contribution was to urge the Board to hire 35 year old Gen Xer Benjamin Jealous as the new President/CEO of the organization.

My pick for the next Board Chair of the NAACP? Roslyn Brock, who is currently the Vice Chairwoman, is 42 years old, and fully represents next generation leadership on a board that is mostly made of 50+ leaders (as you can see from the picture above). Also it would be high time to see a woman lead the NAACP, on a board with 6o odd members and only 20 women.

I've blogged previously about my opinion on what the NAACP needs to do now to remain relevant and effective as they reach their 100th anniversary of being founded in 1909. I think that at this point, they have the right leadership in their ranks, and now just need to announce a bold new vision for the organization that involves the next generation and makes visible change in the lives of people of color. In any case, I just re-joined the NAACP and my local chapter, hoping to get more involved as the NAACP charts what will hopefully be a new course.

Young and Powerful for Obama Inauguration Celebration for Young Professionals

2008-11-18T21:03:00.003-05:00

Young and Powerful for Obama
Presents a Collection of Inaugural Events that Mimic the Obama/Biden Message of:

***VISION***
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Young & Powerful Launch and Networking Social
“Join us as we celebrate the launch of Young & Powerful as a political, social and economic national powerhouse nationwide.”
Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $25.00
Ticket Price Includes: Light Appetizers and Beverages

***HOPE***
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Young & Powerful Presidential Brunch
“Dine with young professionals, entrepreneurs, politicos, elected officials and community leaders as we listen to an inspirational message about President Obama’s historic campaign.”
Advanced Ticket Sale Price: 30.00
Ticket Price Includes: Brunch

***CHANGE***
Monday, January 19, 2009
Martin Luther King Jr Young & Powerful Breakfast

Young and Powerful Political Forum & Roundtable Discussion
“Participate in an interactive, politically-engaging event as we conduct a vote on what the next Young and Powerful national message and policy initiatives will be.”
Advanced Ticket Sale Price: Complimentary with Pass

Young & Powerful Black Tie Gala & Awards Ceremony
“Socialize with us as we dine, dance and toast President Obama’s victory.”
Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $125.00
Ticket Price Includes: Open Bar, Heavy Hors’devours, and Live Band

***REDEMPTION***
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Young & Powerful Inaugural Semi-Formal Affair
“Celebrate this historical day with other Obama enthusiasts and network with Young and Powerful members as we commemorate a day to remember for a lifetime.”
Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $100.00
Ticket Price Includes: Heavy Hors devours, Beverages, Music and Young and Powerful Token of Appreciation

Purchase full pass and gala tickets at http://ypforobama.eventbrite.com

Be Seen..Be Heard...Be Powerful
Young & Powerful for Obama

Quote of the Day

2008-11-18T20:53:00.000-05:00

"Half of the world is composed of people who have something to say, but can't, and the other half are those who have nothing to say and keep saying it." - Robert Frost

In This New Economic Reality, Nonprofits & Philanthropy Have to Confront the Fierce Urgency of Now

2008-11-18T19:38:00.001-05:00

"We are now faced with the face that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

This new economic climate might feel like a curse, but it’s really a blessing. Our country is in a period of recession when the poor are getting poorer and nonprofits are needed now more than ever. There is so much at stake right now around the country, so many people that weren’t self-sufficient before the financial meltdown are even worse off now. At this moment, nonprofit leaders should be reminded of our highest value: to effect visible social change in our communities, not to operate in perpetuity.

Ever since we elected Barack Obama, I’ve been listening to John Legend on my iPod every morning on the way to work. At the Democratic National Convention he sang a song that’s on his new album called, “If You’re Out There.” The song says,“This is the generation that can’t afford to wait. The future started yesterday, and we’re already late." It makes me think about how much nonprofits could accelerate change if, in the face of the incredible financial crisis that’s affecting the communities we serve, we were to develop a real sense of urgency about doing this work, and doing it well.

What does that then mean for us as nonprofit leaders to accelerate change? It most certainly means that we need to begin to take risks on the kind of innovation that creates real change for real people. What's the smartest thing we can do with what we have? Instead of wallowing in the financial sorrow of Wall Street, we can help move this country forward by refocusing our energy on making an impact with existing resources instead of trying to do everything with nothing or building up these huge budgets that are in reality not going to be sustainable. I was in Louisville recently facilitating a conversation among emerging and established leaders, when a Baby Boomer stood up and said very candidly, " We really do want our younger staff to bring new ideas to the table, but we're afraid it will jeopardize our funding." But nonprofits have to recognize that things in the game done changed. This IS the perfect time to engage the next generation of leaders in our organizations to innovate for our causes.

And speaking of funding, what about the responsibility of philanthropy in this new economic reality? Aren't the coffers getting low? What philanthropy will say is, "We’re low on cash because our stock values are down, our endowment's taking a hit." But philanthropy ought not miss the opportunity to also say, "...and because of that we’re now going to be very intentional about rewarding the kind of leadership that understands the urgency of now. We want to fund organizations that are serious about impact, and nothing less." Force nonprofits to show you what your dollars are doing, and we will do more with your dollars. Philanthropy can ask us nonprofits the hard questions about how we’re doing the work, and how it’s making a measurable impact. At the end of the day, this very well may be the time to start redistributing (yes, I said it, I’m a redistributionist) funding by awarding your limited dollars to organizations that can actually demonstrate that they are solving the problems, even if they aren’t always dressed up in their Sunday Best. The most effective organizations may be a little rough around the edges, but have the kind of leadership that’s committed to impact by all means necessary. And some organizations haven’t thought about impact in 20 years. I’m just sayin’.

Please believe that this not at all the time for philanthropy to be about fancy holiday galas or $1,300 conferences in Naples. It's not the time for another glossy annual report. This is really about getting your program officers in a cab across town to see firsthand how the programs you're funding are (or aren't) changing lives. My hope is that, even if you’re not a John Legend fan, that all of us in nonprofits and philanthropy realize that we are the generation that can’t afford to wait.

Tomorrow starts now.

*These are excerpts of remarks I made at the Washington Grantmakers Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on November 12, 2008.

Unofficial Inauguration Ball Watch

2008-11-18T14:11:00.019-05:00

Since I live 30 minutes from DC, we are particularly embroiled in Inauguration Mania in preparation for Barack Obama being sworn in on January 20, 2009. And like other young professionals, I'm looking for affordable celebrations to attend during this historic moment. Here are a few "unofficial" balls I've come across that are either being hosted by nonprofits or that won't break the bank for us young nonprofit folks:

Spirit of Hope Inauguration Ball - $150 singles, $250 couples
The “Spirit of Hope” Inaugural Ball (sponsored by The Empowerment Network, Amourai Organique and Point Bird Productions) will be held at the prestigious Patterson House Mansion (The Washington Club) located in the heart of the Washington, DC at Dupont Circle
HBCU Inaugural Ball Gala - $200 before Nov. 30
This Black Tie Gala is to show support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). A portion of the proceeds will go towards charities that give scholarships to students currently attending HBCU's. The HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball will feature live music, food, drinks, and dancing.
The Inaugural Purple Ball - tickets not on sale yet
The Ball will be to benefit the ‘Eracism Foundation’. In addition, we will be serving a delicious champagne dinner to honor our veterans and troops with special recognition. Founded in January of 2006 by Academy Award Winner Louis Gossett Jr., the Eracism Foundation is grounded in its vision to contribute to the betterment of our society by addressing the negative impacts of racism therein. UPDATE: This ball does benefit a worthy cause, but tickets are not affordable for young professionals, tickets cost $1,500 each!
Bytes & Books Inaugural Gala - tickets not on sale yet
Presented by The National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET), the primary coalition of leading education and industry organizations promoting the role of technology in teaching and learning.
Links to all of the State Society Balls can be found here.
Get the latest info on events & lodging by joining this Facebook page: Inauguration 2009 in DC -- Where to Go, What to Do!!

What Ben Jealous Said

2008-11-13T07:11:00.000-05:00

"If you're standing in line, get out of line. Life is more vibrant out of line."

Benjamin Jealous is the new President/CEO of the NAACP. At 35, he is the youngest NAACP leaders in its 100 year history.

Day 3: Independent Sector 2008

2008-11-11T07:54:00.001-05:00

Day 2: Independent Sector 2008

2008-11-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Check Out These Nonprofit Bloggers at Independent Sector 2008

2008-11-09T17:25:00.003-05:00

I'm joined here by a few of my fellow nonprofit bloggers in Philly covering the Independent Sector Annual Conference:

Katya Andresen - Katya's Nonprofit Marketing Blog
Trista Harris - New Voices of Philanthropy
Heather Carpenter - Nonprofit Leadership 601

Check their respective blogs for additional conference coverage over the next two days. Good stuff!

Day 1: Independent Sector 2008

2008-11-09T12:19:00.000-05:00

Liveblogging Independent Sector 2008!

2008-11-07T14:39:00.006-05:00

I'm headed to Philadelphia for the annual Independent Sector Conference, joining more than 900 leaders from throughout the nonprofit community as we discover the best ways to use our powerful voice to secure brighter futures for people across the country and around the world. At the heart of the main program are nearly 40 sessions, including four insightful plenaries. The conference also features a first-time opportunity for next generation leaders in the NGen program, a series of special sessions integrated throughout the conference and designed for conference attendees under age 40.

I'll be blogging live from many of the sessions, and invite you to stay updated online with me as I share all the juicy details of the conference sessions. If you really wanted to be here, but couldn't afford to, I'm providing the discount version right here!

Quote of the Day

2008-11-07T13:46:00.001-05:00

"There are so very many things about this election that call us to a new future but if the future is showing itself to be radically different, we must become different too -- or we quickly become irrelevant -- and endangered."
- Ruth McCambridge, Nonprofit Quarterly

Nelson Mandela's 8 Lessons of Leadership

2008-11-06T17:11:00.003-05:00

Nelson Mandela shares a lifetime of wisdom as he turned 90 this year. My favorite:

No. 1
Courage is not the absence of fear — it's inspiring others to move beyond it
In 1994, during the presidential-election campaign, Mandela got on a tiny propeller plane to fly down to the killing fields of Natal and give a speech to his Zulu supporters. I agreed to meet him at the airport, where we would continue our work after his speech. When the plane was 20 minutes from landing, one of its engines failed. Some on the plane began to panic. The only thing that calmed them was looking at Mandela, who quietly read his newspaper as if he were a commuter on his morning train to the office. The airport prepared for an emergency landing, and the pilot managed to land the plane safely. When Mandela and I got in the backseat of his bulletproof BMW that would take us to the rally, he turned to me and said, "Man, I was terrified up there!"

Mandela was often afraid during his time underground, during the Rivonia trial that led to his imprisonment, during his time on Robben Island. "Of course I was afraid!" he would tell me later. It would have been irrational, he suggested, not to be. "I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world." But as a leader, you cannot let people know. "You must put up a front."

And that's precisely what he learned to do: pretend and, through the act of appearing fearless, inspire others. It was a pantomime Mandela perfected on Robben Island, where there was much to fear. Prisoners who were with him said watching Mandela walk across the courtyard, upright and proud, was enough to keep them going for days. He knew that he was a model for others, and that gave him the strength to triumph over his own fear.

Read the other 7 lessons from Mandela in the original July 2008 TIME article. So relevant right now. So inspiring.

Jed Emerson & Ed Skloot: As Obama Settles In, Let's Get Ready to Innovate as Well as Advocate

2008-11-06T13:32:00.007-05:00

The Chronicle of Philanthropy posted this article on Election Day, citing nonprofit and government experts who say nonprofits will find a "sympathetic ear" in the Obama administration. But in the comments, Jed Emerson gives what I think is pretty important advice:

Actually, before we go advocate for non-profits and the things we care about, perhaps those of us who identify as being in the citizen sector should take this moment to pause and re-connect with what it is we are ultimately attempting to do.

Maybe we ourselves should re-define our tools and tactics in this new day and in the midst of a number of profound challenges. The opportunity of Obama’s presidency and his call to rise above partisanship is more than simply a chance to bolster our individual causes and organizations in light of what may be a more receptive administration. We should first stop to reflect upon the array of issues we care about and consider how beyond our own organizational agendas we might better partner with the business community, make use of our own assets most effectively (the 95% foundations invest for financial performance alone, for example) and whether, in fact, we have the courage to rise above the strategies/tactics we have executed during a period of partisanship to create new, yet more powerful approaches to advancing sustained impact and change in our world.

The new administration will inherit budget limits and international demands (among many other things…) that will require we do more than simply speak louder for our issues.

Yes, let’s certainly be engaged and, of course, we should promote the solutions we feel will work best —but lets not assume that in this new opportunity we have already created the best partnerships, ideas and innovations to the problems that have plagued us for years…

Later on, Edward Skloot (formerly Executive Director of the Surdna Foundation) co-signs with this:

Jed’s right, though I’d put it differently. Since the cupboard is bare and our standing as a sector is not (yet) high on the food chain we have to face the likelihood that our budgets are going to suffer, direcly through contributions or indirectly through federal contracts sent down through the states.

This calls for our willingness to be ready to do a quid pro quo, prioritizing what we have to have and what we will do to maintain it. On the foundation side, more mission-based investing, loan guarantees, etc., would improve our lot on the supply side. So would be some greater transparency about how funders are choosing to do their triage.

Without doing our own net-zero calculations and coming up with our own “best” scenario, we’ll see an unstoppable diminishment of funds from all sources.

What I Know For Sure: Barack Obama is Good for America

2008-11-05T01:26:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, I voted for Barack Obama as President of these United States.

Today, I am still awestruck that our America, with its racist history and the stain of that "peculiar institution" of slavery, has really elected an African American president for the first time ever.

I'm not even gonna front, I voted for Obama not just because I believe in his policies, but yes because he is Black. And today, I have never been prouder to be an African American at a time when our country takes one big step toward change, not just in leadership, but also in culture. How will our image of leadership change in this country? Will we begin to see more corporate and nonprofit CEOs and political leaders of color?

Barack Obama as President-elect helps to heal for me so many wounds of racism I have experienced being Black in America as a "minority," as an "other," as "less than" any other woman trying to get an education or a job or an influential leadership position. Today I can begin to forget that horrible day down in South Carolina when a Piggly Wiggly store clerk rammed into me with a shopping cart, calling me a "little nigger." Today I can say that I'm walking straighter, speaking with more confidence, feeling prouder than ever to be a person of color. For 25 years, I have worn my race like a condition to be overcome, rather than something to be celebrated and appreciated by the mainstream culture. I knew I had to get the right credentials, and be "articulate" in every setting so I could get ahead without anybody noticing I was a Negro. Today all of that has changed. Today I know that even a skinny little black girl from Cleveland, Ohio who grew up in the projects with a teenage mother and a drug dealer for a father can make a difference in this country. My skin color does not prevent me from fighting for what I believe in, and in fact should make me fight even harder.

I really can't do my emotions justice in this blog post, and probably won't ever be able to in words. But there is one thing I know for sure.

Barack Obama is the right leader for America at the right time in our history. And I am ready to work with his leadership in the new administration to create the world as it should be in our communities.

Nonprofit Leaders Need to Look in the Mirror on Election Day

2008-11-03T07:29:00.000-05:00

"If you wanna make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and make a change."
- Michael Jackson, "Man in the Mirror"

The 2008 Presidential campaign frenzy will finally come to an end tomorrow night, when all the votes are cast for our next Commander in Chief. And whoever the American people choose will ultimately have the greatest influence on what then happens in our communities and with the people and families that nonprofits serve. Depending on whether we elect Barack Obama or John McCain, the issues that nonprofit leaders fight for every day will certainly be affected: women issues, homelessness, job training, arts education, youth development, environmental issues, animal rights, and the list goes on and on.

We have to remember, even as the polls start to close, that we as nonprofit leaders have an even greater responsibility once it's all said and done. We have to commit ourselves to working with the new President and dedicate ourselves anew to fight the good fight for the causes that mean the most to us. Because both candidates are promising us "change", that lovely word we all like to use. But please believe that neither a Democratic or Republican leaders of America can bring about change singlehandedly without people like us on the ground putting in our sweat equity, too. None of us need to be disillusioned that a new President means that all of our social problems will be solved in four to eight years. Not gonna happen. So that means we need to go ahead and pull out the full-length and look at ourselves in the mirror. And really think about how we will help to change this country once and for all. The time is here. The time is NOW.

How will we contribute?

Quote of the Day

2008-10-31T14:36:00.003-04:00

"With the economy under severe strain, our country needs a strong nonprofit sector more than ever.”
- Lester Salamon, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies

Four Nonprofit Conferences Worth Paying For

2008-10-31T14:31:00.000-04:00

Cash may be getting tight for us nonprofit folks right now, but now is not the time to shortchange your own professional development. Time to start budgeting and applying for scholarships to attend at least one of these upcoming conferences. Trust me, if you love learning like I love learning, you'll be glad you did. Another way to cut costs is to offer yourself as a volunteer to the conference staff. Often you can get a comp ticket or reduced attendee rate just by staffing one of the sessions. It never hurts to ask, but be sure you ask early!

Independent Sector, November 9-11, 2008 Philadelphia

My first year going to this conference and I will be liveblogging the whole shebang! Each year, the IS Conference bring together about 1,000 philanthropic leaders who have significant influence in the nonprofit sector and the field of philanthropy. For the first time this year, they are hosting a Next Gen program for emerging leaders under 40! Other highlights: the opening plenary will analyze the results of the 2008 election, including what it reveals about the hopes and concerns of the American people. The “Conversation with a Sector Leader” will feature Ford Foundation President Luis Ubiñas; and the closing plenary will use the historic 2008 campaign as a starting point for an examination of the state of race and gender in America.

AFP International Conference, in conjunction with the National Conference on Black Philanthropy , March 29 - April 1, 2009 New Orleans
AFP generally has great conferences in my experience and last year's Black Philanthropy conference was very well worth the time. This year's conference features lectures by Christopher Gardner (subject of the film Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith), actor and philanthropist Michael Douglas. The National Conference on Black Philanthropy will present a panel of sessions on the theme,"Strengthening Black Communities through Time, Talent and Treasure."

NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference, April 26 - 28, 2009 San Francisco
This year's schedule isn't up yet, but last year they talked about what works, what doesn't work, and what is in the works for those using nonprofit technology to further a cause. At the NTC, they paid special attention to the tools and strategies that are reshaping how we go about doing our work, by empowering our clients and stakeholders. Last year there were more than 90 breakout sessions on the most important technology issues today.

Nonprofit Congress, May 14-16 New Orleans
This will be my third year attending the Congress, and I always get a lot out of it. The goal is for national thought leaders to meet on the sector's top priorities: Organizational Effectiveness, Advocacy and Grassroots Activities, and Public Awareness and Support of the Sector. The Congress offers practical and informative breakout sessions featuring fellow nonprofit leaders sharing their most successful stories and programs that you can take home to replicate.

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Offers Fundraising Fellowship for Person of Color

2008-10-29T10:35:00.005-04:00

The Carol H. Pitchersky Development Fellowship was established by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund (LCCREF) to develop and broaden the capacity of social justice organizations to raise funds necessary to serve their respective missions and further the civil rights community’s goals of equality, equal opportunity and mutual respect. The Fellowship program will identify and support persons of color who are aspiring development professionals, who have demonstrated a commitment to civil rights and social justice, and who wish to advance their careers in nonprofit fundraising. The 2009-2011 Fellow will be placed at the national office of the ACLU in New York City. To apply, download and complete the application form from http://www.civilrights.org/about/lccref/fellowship.html The application deadline is January 15, 2009.

The Fellowship includes:

· A health and benefits package consistent with the benefits provided to regular staff members of the host organization;
· Mentoring from one member of a committee of fundraising professionals dedicated to the institutional advancement of social justice and civil rights organizations. These individuals include colleagues of Carol H. Pitchersky who now serve as members of the CHP Development Fellowship Review and Mentoring Committee;
· Association with a network of development professionals committed to and experienced in fund development, strategic planning and leadership in the civil rights and human rights community;
· Training in development strategies and operations as they are applied to nonprofit organizations in the social justice sector.
· The salary range is from $40,000 to $65,000

Applicant Requirements: The Fellowship program will identify and support persons of color who are aspiring development /fundraising professionals, who are U.S. citizens and have demonstrated a commitment to civil rights and social justice, and wish to advance their careers in nonprofit fundraising. Fellows serve two-year terms of employment at organization in the social justice community.

For more information, contact the LCCREF Development Office at (202) 466-1887 or email CHPFellowship@civilrights.org or go to http://www.civilrights.org/about/lccref/fellowship.html

Quote of the Day

2008-10-27T00:55:00.002-04:00

"The future started yesterday, and we're already late."
- John Legend, "If You're Out There"

Because Things in the Game Done Changed: Nonprofits Need Generation Y Leadership in an Uncertain Economy

2008-10-27T00:35:00.000-04:00

Photo by smig44_uk

Pick up any newspaper on your way to work in the morning, and chances are, you'll see another financial giant brought low in the current unstable economy. Everyone in nonprofits and philanthropy is wondering what the financial sector meltdown means for us. Not only are the for-profit folks worried about their profits and their jobs, us nonprofit workers are worried about our donations and our jobs, too. Of course, no one can know for sure what the outcome of all this will be. The landscape changes day by day, and we could be in a very different place three months from now than we are today. But one thing IS clear. Things in the game done changed.

What the economic crisis is showing the nonprofit sector is that we can no longer rely on corporate social responsibility, ongoing government funding, or stable donations from even our most loyal donors. In two recent discussion groups of fundraisers in Washington, DC about 20 of us shared very timely information about declining revenues, hard to sell event tickets, and foundation rejection letters. Although the nonprofit community has gone through challenging times before - think post 9/11, the dot-com bust, various recessions, etc. most of us are saying that we've never seen this before. It's as if all of our supports are crumbling before our eyes all at once. It's a fundraiser's nightmare, I can tell you from my own current experience.

So what kind of leadership is needed for these challenging times? Everyone's trying to find the fix that fits. And it's clear that the old top-down hierarchy isn't the best model for what needs to happen in organizations today. When we just don't have time to come up with another 5-year strategic plan to survive in this economy, how do we generate new ideas to address issues head on? Yet, in all this uncertainty, the nonprofit sector does have a silver bullet: the energy and talents of the next generation of leaders in our organizations. Allison Jones recently wrote a great post about how nonprofits and Generation Y can benefit from a bad economy, and I do think it is this kind of optimism that will get us through the tough times nonprofits will undoubtedly face in our fundraising, program planning, and staffing. Samuel Richard, another awesome Generation Y blogger, writes a fantastic open letter to nonprofit leaders, urging us to flip the script and use this time to showcase the incredible impact we have in our communities.

Because right now is an opportunity for young nonprofit professionals to bring fresh, innovative ideas for how we do the work of social change. As a sector faced with a myriad of uncertainty, our old solutions will absolutely not work. But don't take my word for it; Albert Einstein tells it like it is (and always will be):

"We cannot solve problems using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

In my mind, there's a very clear match here: a nonprofit sector in need of solutions in an uncertain economy and a cadre of young professionals eager to contribute in a meaningful way. Nonprofit CEOs are thinking: How do we fundraise differently? How do we engage volunteers more effectively? How can we cut organizational costs? How do we maintain the quality of our programming? These questions fill the whiteboards of so many nonprofit conference rooms even as I write this. And Generation Y is asking, how can I use my talent to help, to make a real difference in this organization, in this community? Current leaders have the perfect resource sitting right next to them and this is the perfect time to tap into the minds of young employees. This is indeed the perfect time to mine the knowledge from the next generation that can be much more useful and effective than ideas generated in a closed board meeting involving only senior management. But let's get a little more specific here. Generation Y brings the very skills we need in these uncertain times:

Advanced education: More Generation Y nonprofit workers are completed Master's degrees and MBAs, learning the latest information available about the management needs of nonprofits. We really should be tapping into that more. Why put "Masters preferred" in our job descriptions if we aren't really gonna use their knowledge?
A spirit of collaboration: More and more, young professionals realize that the huge social issues our nonprofits are trying to solve cannot be addressed by a single organization. Younger staff at nonprofits tend to be more willing to collaborate on projects, and naturally see the value of sharing information as part of the way we do the work. As big funding dries up, the more nonprofits will need to partner to get the work done.
Mastery of social media and new technology: Current leaders need not fear that they must learn all about Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. Let your younger employees take off with it and get the glory for your organization. We're always thinking of ways to use social media to get more donations, more volunteers, more press attracted to our nonprofits. Why not let those ideas flourish?

While I certainly concede that the nonprofit sector is going to see challenging times ahead, I can also see so many ways that we can get through the bad economy even stronger on the other side if we only recognize the enormous opportunity for current leaders to partner with the next generation to come up with innovative solutions. It will take all of us to shift our mindsets, but it can be done. After all, most of us are starting the see the writing on the wall: the nonprofit sector needs to change or die. For now, I'm raising my fist in hopeful solidarity with my fellow Generation Y leaders like Allison Jones and Samuel Richard that we can use the resources we have to make the best of a bad situation.

Essence Leadership Conference for Young Black Women

2008-10-23T11:18:00.006-04:00

In November, Essence Magazine is presenting the Essence Young Women's Leadership Conference. It looks like an awesome one-day conference for young Black women - specifically "ambitious college students & recent grads". Register for only $45 in Atlanta on Nov 1 or in DC Nov 8! Speakers are all people of color in nonprofits, marketing, finance, TV/radio, journalism, and business executive positions.

From the website:
The Young Women's Leadership Conference: Jumpstart Your Future! was created to address the needs of young, Black women as they prepare to leave college and begin their careers. Each event will be a day of empowerment, that will provide these young women with the tools and information they will need to unleash their brilliance, fuel their success, and fully realize their potential as they navigates this exciting and challenging period of their lives.

Quote of the Day

2008-10-21T10:40:00.000-04:00

"May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership… Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.