
Browse Articles by Amy Wishnick
Ignore Infrastructure at Your Nonprofit’s Peril
In my experience working with nonprofits in the arts, education, human services, and more — no matter the mission, a solid infrastructure is essential.
HALT – So Your Board Members Can be Their Best Selves
During his freshman orientation, my younger son was introduced to HALT – Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired – a stress management technique. For entering college students, it was supposed to help them increase self-awareness and understand what was going on with themselves and how this affected their interactions with roommates and others. It was geared to help them from becoming less pleasant versions of their normal selves. HALT resonates with me. Especially regarding nonprofit boards and board meetings.
Orienting New Nonprofit Board Members – Don’t Make it Sink or Swim
Does your nonprofit bring on new board members annually as a class, rather than randomly throughout the year? If they start out together, I commend you for choosing this wise approach. If not, I hope you will consider making a change after reading this.
Why Aren’t They Talking to Each Other at Board Meetings?
When I read a story or hear about a nonprofit in extremis, I wonder if the leadership has been asleep at the wheel. Did no one see the signs? Why did they not point these things out to each other? What were they (or were they not) talking about at board meetings?
Are You Ready to Manage Staff Transitions?
If handled well, a staff transition can boost an organization’s well-being and capacity, but if handled poorly, morale and service continuity can suffer.
Hiring a Nonprofit Executive: Cautionary Tale – Epilogue
After more than a century, a nonprofit organization just closed its doors. I can’t help but wonder whether the situation would have been different if, years ago, the board of directors had not “settled” when selecting a new executive director.