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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.

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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 info@practicenpleader.com

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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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
colleen@youthheartline.org
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 info@practicenpleader.com

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.

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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 info@practicenpleader.com

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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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 info@practicenpleader.com

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.

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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 info@practicenpleader.com

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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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 info@practicenpleader.com

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

A contentious national election can bring challenges to many aspects of leading a nonprofit...not the least the fundraising side. How should a nonprofit leader handle political conversations with staff, board members, and donors? How does fundraising change during this season? At what level should a nonprofit engage in public political discourse?

On today's episode, Christina Edwards joins Nathan to discuss the challenges of leading a nonprofit during a national election. Christina, Founder of Splendid Consulting and the host of the popular Purpose & Profit Club podcast, is a frequent guest on the Practice of NonProfit Leadership.

Connect with Nathan, Tim, and Christiana on Linked-In:

Christina
Nathan
Tim

Disclaimer: Any content shared on the podcast is solely the opinion of the presenters. Any proposed action of a legal nature, should be discussed with licensed legal experts.

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 info@practicenpleader.com

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 you're cruising along on a road trip when suddenly you're face-to-face with a roadblock. What now? Turn right, turn left, or hear your GPS say "recalculating"?

Same thing happens when leading a nonprofit organization. Roadblocks pop up that hinder our progress, reaching our goals, and/or fulfilling our mission. What do we do?

In today's episode, Tim and Nathan explore 5 steps to take when facing road blocks in your organization. From identifying the real issue, seeking counsel both inside and outside, to taking action and monitoring the plan, the guys provide some practical steps to get you back on the road towards your goals.

If you are interested in working with Tim and Nathan, reach out to them at info@practicenpleader.com.

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 info@practicenpleader.com

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