As the new year approaches, look back on the last year and what your organization succeeded at, and what could use a little improvement. Did communication between you and your staff become more effective? Were fundraising efforts successful? Is your organization’s mission still at the forefront of your mind? Do you need some fresh resolutions for not-for-profit professionals?
Think of these New Year’s resolutions as rewarding goals for you and your team to aim for in the coming months.
Connect With Others in Your Cause Sector
Reaching out to another team or individual in the nonprofit world who shares your interests, experiences, or goals is an excellent way to expand your knowledge and form connections. Not only will you be actively networking and uncovering potential opportunities to collaborate in the future, but both parties will most likely come away having learned something new about your sector.
Sharing knowledge, working together, and finding opportunities for growth are all essential to an organization’s success. Call or email other local nonprofits you’re aware of, or connect with others through professional social media sites such as LinkedIn.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins With Staff
Go into the new year with the goal of checking in more regularly with your staff. Instead of formal, quarterly reviews, designate a weekly or monthly time slot with your team so that individuals can casually check in. This not only improves the bond between members of leadership and other staff, but will reduce stress and boost morale in the workplace.
Give Back to Your Community
Although your organization is hopefully doing some important work that benefits the community around you, being part of a nonprofit can be overwhelming with fundraising, tracking donations, and reaching out to members. Do some research to find a cause you and your staff care about, whether that’s similar to your own organization’s mission or something completely different. Go out and volunteer or run a donation drive as a team.
Show Appreciation to Donors, Members, and Staff
Take the time to show appreciation to everyone who is involved with your organization. Send appreciative emails out to your members, thank you notes to your donors, and words of appreciation to your staff. When people feel valued and recognized for their contributions, it boosts their productivity in the case of staff, and helps them see the value of their involvement when it comes to donors and members.
If you want to find out more about how your organization can implement new policies and make new resolutions for not-for-profit professionals over the next year, contact the Dennison & Associates team today to request a consultation. We wish everyone a happy and safe New Year!
