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Coaching a non-profit
is an entirely different experience than coaching in any other business
arena. It is different and more complex simply because of the number
of people involved in the process, and because different people
have, sometimes, vastly different agendas. I shall describe the
general categories of persons involved, the general motivations
of the involved parties, and then provide just a word on how one
might move successfully in this environment. Every non-profit is
unique, so these are just guidelines about which one must be cognizant
as the coaching process begins. You figure out who the players are,
where the power resides, and who are the “doers”, as
you go along. There are three types of individuals who gravitate
to do work in a non-profit.
- The first is the person who genuinely wishes to contribute
from his/her soul in order to do some little part toward making
this a better world in which we live. These people are the heart
of the non-profit, and without them there would be no positive
philanthropical action taken in any setting around the globe.
These people are the core of the organization, and are motivated
by the purest intentions of doing good works for one’s
fellow man.
- The second type of individual is the person who wishes to
be associated with a non-profit for clandestine purposes. This
person wishes to be painted with the brush of humanitarism in
order to build their business, feed their ego, establish relationships
to get a son or daughter accepted to the “right”
school, or for any other tangential purpose. In short, this
person doesn’t give a hoot about the non-profit, but,
indeed, is in it for what membership can do for him/her. This
person can be recognized by their absence when there is work
to be done. Oh they may volunteer for a committee here or a
sub-group there, but when the work is handed out they will be
strangely absent. Accountability is the key to getting any work
from these individuals, and then one must weigh the work they
accomplish against the effort to extract that work and make
a judgment as to the worth of the effort.
- The third group is composed of the professionals hired to
perform the tasks of the organization. There will usually be
at least two hired positions: an Executive Director and an Administrative
Assistant. These people make the organization what the Board
of Directors wish it to be. Skills which usually accompany such
a position include the ability to move easily within the community
and to be seen representing the organization in the community.
After all, this position is viewed as the head of the organization
by the community. In truth, the head of the organization is
the core of volunteers who have that fire-in-the-belly to make
a difference in the world. Remember, perception and reality
are two different things. I cannot emphasize deeply enough,
choosing the ED is huge. Having the right one in place will
make the lives of the volunteers smooth. Choosing the wrong
one will, just as quickly, make their lives miserable.
If you would like to discuss your future, your corporation, or
a combination of the two, please contact me here
for more information about individual coaching or request a complimentary
coaching session here.
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