FALLing Over

Fall 2011 is over and I survived. Barely. With A's.

Thanks to Jan Schwartz of Education Training Solutions for being such a great Board Governance mentor.

And thanks to Joy Clarissa Taylor, Sustainable Communities Program Coordinator for College of the Siskiyous, for being a fabulous Strategic Planning mentor.

Out of all my mentors so far, I've enjoyed working with Joy the most. She was like a mentor/guide and was more organic in her way of thinking. She taught me to think more with my heart ("how does this make you feel, how do you think this will make the students feel") than my head and I really liked that. Hopefully, I'll be able to continue that thinking during my final two semesters. During my time with her, I had started out with a different study contract. After attending a YNPN Member Retreat in August this year, I instead went in a different direction. Within the first few weeks of the course, I realized I should've stuck with my original plan.

And promptly had a meltdown when I realized that Joy would be out of communication range for 12 days. After calming down, I just sent her an email telling her what was going on, we talked when she got back..and everything was right in my world. LOL. I think I just needed someone to confirm what I was already thinking. Her mantra became "Will this help you? Will you learn everything you wanted to?" and it was something she asked throughout the course. For me, it was like a Post-It note reminder taped to my computer.

It's times like that when I remember why I jumped into this program. It's so flexible that if one way isn't working, then I can change it.

Just as long as it's beneficial to my needs. Needless to say, if I had been going to a typical university, I would've been screwed.

Spring 2012 starts Jan 26th, so I'm going to enjoy this break.

As well as one can when searching frantically for next semester's mentors.

Nonprofit Executive Director Forum

Description: Everything you wanted to know about being a nonprofit leader, but never had the chance to ask.

Thursday, September 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

National Bank of Arizona, 6001 North 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Join YNPN (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network) for a panel discussion and small group break-out sessions with five dynamic local nonprofit Executive Directors/CEOs from the arts and health/human services sectors:

    Nate Anderson, Founder/Executive Director, Ear Candy

    Pam Gaber, Chief Executive Officer, Gabriel’s Angels

    Mark Holleran, CEO, CASS

    Christy McClendon, Executive Director, The Wellness Community - Arizona

    Steve Zabilski, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul


Learn about the career paths that led them to leadership positions, what factors contributed to their success, what steps you can take to follow in their footsteps, and where they see the next opportunities in the Phoenix market.

My Takeaways:

 I really liked the round-table concept for this workshop. Each of the EDs sat at each table for 10 minutes at a time and we got to ask them any questions and these are just some of the pearls of wisdom that I gleaned from each of these people:

• Re-evaluate your idea perpetually and relentlessly
• Remain focused on the end focus. Never settle for medocrity
• Focus on fundraising and work with volunteers
• Defend profitability in the nonprofit sector
• Follow your passion
• Be comfortable with basic assumptions and be honest with your strengths and weaknesses
• Put the client first
• Beware of Mission creep
• Get distracted and fail
• Skills: passion, mentor, be knowledgeable