Our blog voices the opinions of Roundtable Members, staff and others as we collectively promote and examine the value of nonprofit organizations and leaders in our region.
We welcome blogs from Members (send me your idea!) - check out examples from Hoop Dreams' Susie Kay on the closing of H. D. Woodson High School and Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place's Jean-Michel Giraud on abolishing homelessness. We'd love to fly your flag, your cause, and raise the profile about your impact.
Big Idea #12 "Celebration Day" by Jessica Griffin, Capital Area Food Bank
Written by Amy Fishman, on June 29, 2009
A Regional Nonprofit Celebration Day would be organized to bring together employees, board members, and volunteers as a unified group with a shared commitment to mission-driven work and social change in our community. I envision a mass of people coming together in a public space, and commanding the attention of the local public and private sectors, media, and organization media, and organizations in other parts of the country. Participants would be encouraged to look beyond organizational affiliation, individual job titles, and years of experience, in service of presenting a unified front to the community at large.
Participants could demonstrate unity at the event in a number of ways. Perhaps we fly the same flag, wear the same t-shirts, or develop some sort of chant or slogan to represent our message for the day.
Together, we would celebrate and honor the ties that bring us together as a sector by inviting speakers, sharing ideas about new ways to collaborate, networking, and any of a number of other activities. This opportunity could also serve to advertise the true value of the sector, with info such as the number of employees in the sector, number of individuals served, number of dollars contributed to the economy, etc. We could even offer fun pieces like “free massages for Executive Directors”. Most importantly, individuals’ attending would be willing to announce that “I am a proud member of the nonprofit sector in Washington metropolitan area, and I am joining together with others to make sure our presence is known and that our voices are heard”
Big Idea #11: "Partnering Universities with Nonprofit Sector" By Jeff Cooper
Written by Amy Fishman, on June 22, 2009
Create sector-wide organized partnerships with area colleges/universities. While many local organizations have strong relationships with an individual university/cluster of schools, there would be tremendous leverage if the sector as a collective voice worked with college leaders to develop standard curriculum, including a community service component, across all campuses. This course could be a freshman requirement, planting the seed for continued learning and direct involvement. Recognizing there will be obstacles, the benefits are immeasurable: short-term, college students provide free intellectual capital/human resources; and more importantly, long term, college campuses are an ideal space to inspire a culture of public service.
Additional Thoughts from Jeff Cooper:
To make this “big idea” a reality, a steering committee of local nonprofit and university leaders could be established to help set goals and direction and then ensure this new program stays on mission. While the ultimate vision is to have all local colleges and universities included, it would be wise to attempt to pilot with one or two colleges for the 2009/2010 school year to work through logistical challenges and ensure the program is meeting its goals. Similarly, the program could start by marketing to students which would draw those young people who are naturally inclined towards public service. Over time, the program could evolve to be a freshman requirement which could lead to engaging students who might not otherwise consider a career in public service, thereby expanding the nonprofit talent pool.
A key first step would be creating the structure of a course with a combination of direct service, professor and/or nonprofit leader lectures, and a forum for students to share learnings across their nonprofit experiences. Initially, the Program could build on existing successful partnerships like American University’s collaboration with Facilitating Leadership and Youth (FLY). Additionally, the team can leverage the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Learn and Serve Program as well as any similar programs already in existence.
To make this idea a reality, a clearinghouse where nonprofits could post potential internships for college students will need to be established. Ideally, the Nonprofit Roundtable, DC Cares, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement or similar collective of nonprofits could lead this function. Internships could be anywhere from semester-long to a full year of service. The ideal internship would be one that could be done partially off-site to reduce logistical challenges of college students travelling every week to a nonprofit, but still engages the student enough with the work of the nonprofit to instill a sense of pride and being part of something larger than just a project.
Big Idea #10 "Saturday Alliance Meetings" by Gail Arnall, Offender Aid and Restoration
Written by Amy Fishman, on June 16, 2009
Partner with a socially active church in VA, MD and DC and in each jurisdiction, host a Saturday Alliance meeting, inviting all of the social services non-profits and staff and members of local faith communities to come together to talk about how to work together on specific needs: housing, substance abuse, domestic violence, health care, ex-offenders, GED-literacy. Inter-faith Councils exist in some jurisdictions; involve them. Set it up to have this Alliance meeting once a year.
Big Idea #9: "Nonprofit/Business Co-Op" by Larry Huff, Samaritan Inns
Written by Rosetta Thurman, on June 08, 2009
Create a Co-op Program between the Greater Washington business and non-profit communities in which talent is shared in a well-defined program between participating business and non-profit organizations. The objectives would be: sector strengthening through awareness cultivation and critical resource infusion; career enhancement among participating individuals from business; knowledge transfer between the business and non-profit communities; and, overall community devlopment. Participating non-profits would identify entry/mid/senior level positions (mission and/or mission support) that would accommodate a 6 month assignment. Participating businesses would identify candidates who meet the following criteria: interest in non-profits; job classifications that match specific non-profit needs; and, ability to exit and re-enter after 6 months. Participating businesses would continue to pay salaries of their staff while on co-op assignments. The agency for administering the program could be Washington Board of Trade.
Submitted by Larry Huff, President of Samaritan Inns for the Roundtable's 2009 Big Idea contest. Win $1,000! CEOs and staff from Roundtable Member organizations can submit their Big Idea here. Interested in Membership? Contact Eduardo
Big Idea #8: "Nonprofit Staff Sharing" by Noel Tieszen, Interstages
Written by Rosetta Thurman, on June 08, 2009
Too often, the folks who do the on-the-ground work of carrying out our missions do so as low-wage part-time staff, without health care, paid leave, or even consistent schedules. This devalues our key resources and leads to poor health, high stress, and high turnover—ultimately disrupting programs and impacting organizational stability. I propose partnerships creating full-time opportunities for part-time staff. Example: Your organization needs a part-time administrative assistant; Interstages needs a part-time afterschool instructor. We work with you to hire one individual to fill both roles, and we share costs for pay and benefits.
Submitted by Noel Tieszen, Executive Director at Interstages for the Roundtable's 2009 Big Idea contest. Win $1,000! CEOs and staff from Roundtable Member organizations can submit their Big Idea here. Interested in Membership? Contact Eduardo
Big Idea #7: "Establish a Nonprofit Speakers Bureau" by Brendan Hurley, Goodwill
Written by Rosetta Thurman, on June 01, 2009
Have you ever been to a regional conference or business dinner and been placed at the “nonprofit table”? While I value my relationships with other nonprofits, I attend corporate functions to engage corporate leaders! My BIG IDEA is to establish a nonprofit speaker’s bureau for the sole purpose of changing perceptions of our industry within the business community, while also educating business leaders on the financial benefits of social investment. To better educate the regional business community will lead to greater investment from the regional business community.
Submitted by Brendan Hurley, Vice President, Marketing and Communication at Goodwill of Greater Washington for the Roundtable's 2009 Big Idea contest. Win $1,000! CEOs and staff from Roundtable Member organizations can submit their Big Idea here. Interested in Membership? Contact Eduardo
