COMMON GROUND CONSULTING LLC

Nonprofit Self-Esteem Crisis

Jonathan Spack is mad. He's mad about fallacies that he sees the nonprofit sector as having internalized—fallacies that contribute both to poor management and to poor self-esteem. Here is his first person nonprofit rant:

Our sector suffers from a chronic self-esteem deficiency. For most Americans, personal wealth is the primary measure of social status. If you've had financial success it must be because you're smart. This social Darwinism carries over to nonprofit organizations, too, morphing into a kind of sectoral Darwinism. As a result, many people-- both inside and outside the nonprofit world -- see our sector as being of secondary value and importance compared to the (for-profit) business sector.

The pervasiveness of this sectoral inferiority complex leads to some widely-held beliefs and practices that I consider harmful to our work, and self-destructive when they are inwardly focused. Here are a few that really get me going:

1. "It's a lot easier to run a nonprofit than a regular business."

The reality is that nonprofit leaders must articulate the organization's values and advance its charitable purposes while managing its finances prudently. Balancing these obligations in an environment where access to capital is severely limited, revenue models are highly complex and infrastructure supports are sparse makes nonprofit management much more challenging than most on the outside realize.

Furthermore, nonprofits operate in a "muted market" which requires accountability to both those who pay for programs and services and the consumers of those services. In a for-profit business these two groups are the same, but not for us. The often differing and conflicting needs and expectations of funders and constituents add an extra layer of complexity to nonprofit work.

2. "Nonprofits are inefficient and wasteful."

3. "Nonprofits would be more effective if they/we operated more like commercial businesses."

4. "Nonprofits are warm and fuzzy places . . . no one gets fired."

5. "A nonprofit isn't a career; it's a job for housewives and young people."

[Click Here to Read The Full Post Nonprofit Self-Esteem Crisis | Blue Avocado]

The Future of Independent Media

The Big Thaw: A Guide to the Evolution of Independent Media

What are the next game-changers in media? The Big Thaw is a major new study about how media makers will succeed in the new media landscape.

The study was released by The Media Consortium, a group of 40 leading independent media organization such as Mother Jones, The Nation, Salon.com, AlterNet and Talking Points Memo.

It was written by a friend and colleague of mine, Tony Deifell (of WDYDWYD fame!). Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/deifell

thebigthaw.pdf

What people are saying about The Big Thaw:

"If you care about the future of media, read every page."
– Jason Barnett, The Uptake, a cutting edge citizen journalism organization

"… refreshingly different from every other report published this year (including our own) ... the report’s strength rests on the authors’ ability to bring remarkable clarity to the complex transitions taking place in our media, and to outline clear and achievable next steps for independent media to survive, thrive and recreate themselves for the future."
– Josh Stearns, Free Press, full review http://bit.ly/63aydE

"… a must-read for anyone trying 'save journalism' ... a rich repository of observations, anecdotes and predictions"
– The Center for Social Media, American University, full review http://bit.ly/3qYGnq

Celebrate Human Rights Day 2009

The United Nations is marking Human Rights Day today, the 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by stressing the still enduring need to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

Many things can be said about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is the foundation of international human rights law, the first universal statement on the basic principles of inalienable human rights, and a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. As the UDHR celebrates its 61st birthday, it is timely to emphasize the living document’s enduring relevance, its universality, and that it has everything to do with all of us. Today, the UDHR is more relevant than ever.

"Discrimination targets individuals and groups that are vulnerable to attack: the disabled, women and girls, the poor, migrants, minorities, and all those who are perceived as different.  

... But these victims of discrimination are not alone. The United Nations is standing with them, committed to defending the rights of all, and particularly the most vulnerable. That is our identity and our mission."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

[Click Here to Read More Human Rights Day 2009]

Mentor Michigan Conference Presentations

A few weeks ago I spoke at the annual statewide conference for Mentor Michigan. They've posted my presentations on their website and I've re-posted them here.

Fourth Annual Michigan's Premier Mentoring Conference Materials

The Fourth Annual Michigan's Premier Mentoring Conference was held on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 on the campus of Michigan State University.  With more than 250 mentoring professionals in attendance, lots of information was shared and lots of networking was accomplished. The day's keynote speaker, Craig Bowman of Common Ground Consulting, LLC, joined attendees to share his inspired and enthusiastic message about how to create a sustainable social profit future.  For more information on Craig and his work efforts, visit his website at  www.commongroundconsulting.org . He also presented two workshops on telling your story and asking for money.  Below you will find the PDFs of his keynote and workshop presentations. Craig Bowman Keynote Presentation (PDF) Craig Bowman Workshop - Telling Our Story (PDF) Craig Bowman Workshop - The Sacred Art of Asking for Money(PDF) Also on hand was First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern to thank mentoring programs for their accomplishments over the years. He too presented a workshop to participants about leading in a troubled environment.  Below you will find the PDF of his workshop presentation. First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern Workshop - When the Ground is Shaking Under Your Feet (PDF)

When Being Positive Is Positively Meaningless

As I guy who has a (probably deserved) reputation for "making people cry and quit their jobs", as one of my clients put it, I found this article by Steven DeMaio for HarvardBusiness.org quite refreshing.

"As a teacher, I know how vital positive feedback is for keeping students motivated, productive, and satisfied. And I have seen, both in the classroom and in offices where I've worked, that particular ways of being positive tend to yield the best results (see my post "The Art of Giving Praise").

But I have to be frank: When the air is too thick with positive talk, I feel like I'm suffocating. In certain spheres, the premium on being positive is so high that people use hyperbole in the most routine of interactions. This kind of excess takes a variety of forms, but what they have in common, in my view, is a tendency to create barriers rather than promote genuine discourse. Here are a few examples:

Politeness on steroids. I'm not sure exactly when "so much" became a standard addendum to "thanks." But "thanks so much" now seems to be the thank-you phrase of choice, even when you've done little to deserve it. Responding to the social pressure, I sometimes mindlessly use the phrase myself. And I tend to feel like a miser when, instead, I just say "thanks."

Extreme affirmation. People can dole this out in lots of ways, but the one I find most jarring is the constant use of "absolutely": "May I sit here?" "Absolutely!" . . . "Can you send me a copy of that file?" "Absolutely!" . . . "Do you have a moment?" "Absolutely!" It's like being in a monarchy where everyone is king.

Overuse of the most-positive adjectives. As someone who believes strongly in the value of precise, nuanced praise, I wince when I hear — or hear myself use — throwaway compliments like "amazing," "fantastic," or "fabulous" without any context. There's much more value in telling someone specifically what made her work effective than in flinging a dazzling word in her direction so that, for a fleeting moment, everyone within a five-person radius feels sparkly.

Omission of the negative. Imagine grading an exam and saying nothing to the test takers about their incorrect answers just because the correct ones are more numerous. The (well-intended) omission can, unfortunately, make people become preoccupied with the unacknowledged errors and thus overvalue their importance. Not to mention that folks won't learn from their mistakes. Frank, properly weighted recognition of what doesn't work makes the emphasis on what does work much more meaningful.

But, you may think, if being super-positive gets everyone to feel good, what's the big deal? To my ear, the main drawback is the creation of so much white noise that when clear, authentic positive feedback is given, it gets muted and loses its punch. Indeed, people may stop believing that others really mean what they say. And a culture can develop in which those who don't gush praise are misperceived as being insensitive or having a bad attitude.

Can all this distortion eventually foster a climate of apprehension and distrust that feels not the least bit positive? Absolutely."

[From When Being Positive Is Positively Meaningless - Steven DeMaio - HarvardBusiness.org]

Barron’s Names Its Top 25 Philanthropists

Yesterday, we showed you Forbe's take on the world's top philanthropists. And today we've got what Barron's has to say on who the best givers are, and interestingly they focused on bang for the buck, showcasing 25 philanthropists who give effectively – that is, who turn a $1 donation into $3 or $4 for the organization. (From ServiceNation)

How can you judge effectiveness? Here’s what Barron’s said in its article:

By its nature, this exercise involves a lot of subjective calls. Facts and figures about philanthropy are much harder to come by than data on corporations. One giver's definition of success can differ sharply from another giver's -- or from ours. But even if you disagree with some of our judgments, you are bound to learn some useful lessons from each of the 25 philanthropists on the list.

So, who made the Barron's cut and what do they do? Here’s the folks who madeBarron's top 10, which unsurprisingly has some overlap with the Forbes list but also has some very interesting philanthropists you might not have heard of (and be sure to check out the rest of Barron's best, because they're all doing really inspiring work):

1. Pierre and Pam Omidyar, Omidyar Network
   The Omidyar Network doesn't act like a regular foundation. Instead, the Ebay founder invests in organizations that aim for social change and their investments usually pan out nicely -- and then multiply. It's a great way to help nonprofits help other.
   
   
2. Jeff Skoll, Skoll Foundation
   Skoll has a goal (hey, that rhymes!) of making sure that "the positive social returns vastly exceed the amount of time and money involved" when he's giving. The Skoll Foundation as awarded grants to 50 entrepreneurial groups who promote a more peaceful world.
   
   
3. Chris and Jamie Cooper-Hohn, The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
   The manager of a hedge fund, Cooper-Hahn sends a huge chunk of the fund's profits over to the foundation, which uses them to help do good in the world.
   
   
4. Eli and Edythe Broad, The Broad Foundations
   The Broads like to fund things that other people just aren't doing yet -- and they have been since 1999. The leaders behind thousands of art galleries and museums, more efficient schools and even medical research, the Broads work to support organizations that are doing good that others won't take a chance on.
   
   
5. Thomas Siebel, The Meth Project
   This homemade drug has devastated rural America for the past decade and more. He started a program that raised awareness, education and prevention in Montana that dropped the state from No. 5 for meth abuse to No. 39. Several other states implemented programs based on his ideas.
   
   
6. Donna and Philip Berber, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
   They focus their funds on just one country: Ethiopia. So far, they have financed 3,600 water wells, 400 schools and 6,500 microloans, reaching an estimated two million Ethiopians.
   
   
7. Bill & Melinda Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
   We think Barron's said it best:
   With $34 billion in assets and more on the way from Warren Buffett, this is by far the world's largest foundation. It's also hugely ambitious, aiming for such goals as an AIDS vaccine. That could take a decade or more to realize, but Bill Gates doesn't mind. "I am pretty optimistic," he says. "That's why I keep signing the checks." If the foundation's long-term initiatives do pay off, it would set an entirely new standard for high-impact philanthropy.
   
   
8. Paul Tudor Jones II, Robin Hood Foundation
   It's exactly what it sounds like: Robin Hood's board, including GE's Jeffrey Immelt, hedge-fund giant Steven Cohen and actress Gwyneth Paltrow, funds all expenses, meaning every penny raised goes directly to programs that help the poor survive or move out of poverty altogether. The model is being moved to other cities as well.
   
   
9. Helen and Swanee Hunt, Women Moving Millions
   The daughters of oil giant H.L. Hunt, these two women are reaching out to their network and ask successful women across the country to write checks to help benefit women's causes, from job training to basic health.
   
   
10. Richard Branson, Virgin Unite
    The British renegade is taking on social and environmental problems by offering rewards to scientists who can come up with innovative solutions. He has also pledged the profits from his transportation businesses to developing green energy.

So, were you surprised? Who do you think are the most effective philanthropists in the world? Let us know in the comments.

Great Tools From Inc.com

I use this great set of tools frequently. They are designed for small businesses and are easily adapted for social-profit (non-profit) use. You'll need to set-up a free account.

Inc.com has more than 100 free tools that are available to Inc.com members. From sample policies and agreements to worksheets and checklists, Inc.com has tools to help you in every area of your business.

Choose from the following categories:

• Doing Business Online
• Financial Management
• Finding Capital
• Hiring and Recruiting
• Managing Employees
• Marketing
• Performance Management
• Personnel Administration
• Termination
• Workplace Safety

Doing Business Online

• E-Commerce Product-Comparison Matrix
• Web Site Evaluation Worksheet

Financial Management

• Are Your Franchise Expenses in Line?
• Benchmarking Considerations
• Can You Really Afford Your Next Big Expenditure?
• Check Request Form
• Financial-Ratio Worksheets
• Instructions for Commercial Invoice Form
• Moving From Bookkeeping to Accounting to Finance: How Big Should You Be?
• Profit-and-Loss Projection
• Purchase Order
• The Collectively Bargained Franchise Agreement
• The Employee-Run-Budget Worksheet
• The Smart Vendor-Audit Checklist
• Tracking Progress and Profit on Projects

Finding Capital

• Personal Financial Statement
• Bank Loan Application and Review Forms -- Sample
• Show Me the Money
• Term Sheet for Series A Round Financing

Hiring and Recruiting

• 19 Strategies for Hiring the Best
• Applicant Appraisal Form
• "At Will" Policy
• Authorization, Waiver, and Release of Liability for Consumer Credit Report
• Authorization, Waiver, and Release of Liability for Employment-Related Investigations
• Checklist for Employment Agreements
• Employment Application
• Employment Contract Worksheet
• Hiring Checklist
• Independent Contractor Agreement
• Job Applicant Reference Request
• Job Description Template
• Knowledge Worker Interview Questionnaire
• New-Employee Orientation Checklist
• Notice of Job Opening
• Position Request Form
• Pre-Hiring Reference Check
• Pre-Interview Questionnaire
• Questions to Avoid During an Interview
• At-Will Employment Agreement -- Sample
• Confidentiality Agreement -- Sample
• Confidentiality Agreement for Consultants, Contractors, and Outsourced Professionals
• Employment Agreement (For Cause) -- Sample
• Employment Agreement Cover Letter -- Sample
• Offer Letter -- Sample
• Rejection Letter (Post-Interview) -- Sample
• Rejection Letter (Pre-Interview) -- Sample

Managing Employees

• Communications Checklist
• Employee Complaint Form
• Employee Compliance Survey
• Employee Suggestion Form
• Home-Based Employee Checklist
• Risk-Management Essentials
• Behavioral Change (Warning) Document -- Sample
• Code of Ethics -- Sample
• Mediation and Arbitration Agreement -- Sample
• Mission Statement -- Sample
• Sexual Harassment I.Q. Test
• The Color-Coded Priority Setter
• The Preventive Corrective-Action Report

Marketing

• The Flameproof Online Marketing Pitch

Performance Management

• Co-Employee Applicant Appraisal Form
• How to Be an Excellent Employee
• Peer-Improvement Form
• Supervisor Improvement Form
• The 60-Day New Employee Survey

Personnel Administration

• Absence Form
• Acknowledgement and Waiver Regarding Employee Dating
• ADA Resource List
• Business Ethics and Conduct Disclosure Statement
• Checklist for Investigating Complaints of Harassment or Discrimination
• Client Bill of Rights
• Contingent Worker Checklist
• EEO Statement and Policy Prohibiting Illegal Discrimination and Harassment
• Employee Request for Family or Medical Leave of Absence Form
• Employee Update Form
• Employee-Correction Form
• Grievance Policy
• Overtime Authorization Form
• Personnel File Checklist
• Personnel Update Emergency Contact Form
• Prohibited Activities (Standards of Conduct)
• Required and Recommended Posters and Handouts
• Response to Employee Request for Family or Medical Leave of Absence
• Commission List Sample (Table)
• Drug and Alcohol Policy -- Sample
• Employee Privacy/Right to Inspect Statement -- Sample
• Family and Medical Leave of Absence Policy -- Sample
• Overtime Authorization Policy for Nonexempt Employees -- Sample
• Paid-Time-Off Policy -- Sample
• Sales-Commission Policy -- Sample
• Vacation Policy-- Sample
• Voice Mail/E-Mail/Internet Policy -- Sample
• Wellness Pay Policy -- Sample
• Witness Statement Form -- Sample
• Status/Payroll Change Report
• Telecommuting Policy
• Tuition Approval/Refund Request

Termination

• Exit Interview Form
• Post-Employment Release of Employment Information
• Pre-Layoff Checklist
• Pre-Termination Checklist
• Termination Notice -- Sample
• Termination Certification
• Termination Checklist

Workplace Safety

• 21 Things to Do for a Safe Workplace
• Sample General Safety Policies

Creating Jobs for America's Youth | POLITICO.com

Here's a great piece by John Podesta on the value of national service ...

When President Barack Obama recently announced plans for an upcoming White House jobs summit, he declared that the millions of Americans “desperately searching for jobs” require the pursuit of “every additional and responsible step” that could potentially combat unemployment. Among the ideas most deserving of consideration is strategic investment in national service programs such as AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America and Youth Corps. This approach would create decent employment opportunities for America’s youth while strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations to provide critical services to those in need.

Young Americans are experiencing the greatest challenges finding work in today’s troubled job market.

In addition, young people who cannot find a job today will likely suffer consequences that follow them long after the recession ends, because time not spent developing work experience makes young workers less competitive for future job opportunities.

The recession is also exacerbating a related and equally malignant problem: swelling numbers of impoverished Americans. In 2008, more than 13 percent of the population lived below the poverty line, while one in six Americans was considered “near poor.” With the poverty rate expected to approach 15 percent in 2009—and one in four children expected to live in poverty in 2010—the need for poverty services are growing at a time when resources for government and nonprofit providers are increasingly constrained.

[Read More Creating jobs for America's youth - John Podesta - POLITICO.com]

AND, this is a really great piece all about the role of national service in solving the unemployment crisis: “National Service and Youth Unemployment: Strategies for Job Creation Amid Economic Recovery,” a paper from the Center for American Progress written by Melissa Boteach, Joy Moses, and Shirley Sagawa.

The memo details youth unemployment in the current economic climate and describes how national service can contribute to reducing these numbers as well as play a part in creating jobs.

CAP_NationalServiceAndYouthUnemployment_Nov2009.pdf

Annals Of Giving: Forbes Names the World’s Most Powerful Philanthropists

There’s no denying that there are a lot of really powerful people in the world – and those at Be the Change, Inc. and ServiceNation are more than glad that a lot of them also happen to have a strong philanthropic bent.

Of course, it's also nice to know who they are. So kudos to Forbes magazine, which recently published its take on of the m ost powerful people in the world, and Eli Broad, a billionaire and philanthropist, helped to pick the top seven most powerful philanthropists. Unsurprisingly, Broad tapped Bill and Melinda Gates as his Number 1 Philanthropist (they donate together, so they count as one philanthropist). But who else made the Forbes Most Powerful Philanthropists list?

Drum roll, please....Broad named Oprah Winfrey, Michael Dell, Michael Bloomberg,Peter Peterson, David Rockefeller Sr., and Wallis Annenberg.

With the whole world of philanthropists to choose from, it’s not easy to pick just seven. Here’s what Broad told the Give and Take blog at the Chronicle of Philanthropy:

I immediately came up with a list of more than 20 philanthropists who are notable in their passion and generosity. But the seven I chose are remarkable because they do far more than just give money to causes. They get their hands dirty in the work.

Curious about who else made Forbes' Most Powerful list or maybe the criteria? Forbes looked at a person’s influence over others, his or her financial resources, his or her power across spheres, and whether or not the candidates actively used their power.

We think it’s safe to say that these philanthropists definitely use their power to help make the world a better place. Gives you something to shoot for doesn't it?

So, how do you measure power and who do you think are the world’s most powerful or influential philanthropists? Let us know in the comments.

Check out the full Forbes article and the full list of the world’s most powerful people.

Here's an MSNBC video clip about the list:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy.

World AIDS Day 2009

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defense against diseases.

Are HIV and AIDS the same?

No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk.

The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

• Sex without a condom with someone living with HIV
• Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment
• From an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (but with effective treatment and care the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced)

I don't know anyone with HIV... do I?

Today there are more people than ever before living with HIV in the US, but less people report knowing someone with HIV. People with HIV generally look healthy and many do not find it easy to tell other people, so you may not realize if someone you know if HIV positive.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, although they may experience side effects from the treatment. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective.

How can I protect myself and others from HIV infection?

Always use a condom when having vaginal or anal sex. You also may want to use a condom or dental dam during oral sex although the risk of transmission of HIV is much lower. Use condoms every time. Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment.

The Facts

Over a million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV. Worldwide an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV.

Resources

• President's World AIDS Day 2009 Proclamation
• Join us in Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day 2009
• Posters and Other Resources
  Download and customize these posters to promote your World AIDS Day events!
  Poster show and other World AIDS Day resources from PEPFAR
• Fact sheets
  Download HIV/AIDS fact sheets, post them on bulletin boards, share with local newspapers, and distribute them at events!
• Read about the CDC’s HIV Incidence Data
• Websites
  AIDS.gov: provides US Government HIV/AIDS information.
  PEPFAR.gov: the official website of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
  worldaidscampaign.org: brochures and information about events worldwide.
• Mobile Resources
  To find an HIV Testing location near you in the United States, send a text message with your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948) or visit www.hivtest.org.
• Events
  Find local events and list your activities here.

Click Here to Check out the World AIDS Day Calendar of Events.

Take Action

There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS: get tested for HIV practice safer methods to prevent HIV decide not to engage in high risk behaviors talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community