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At a recent meeting with the Nonprofit Roundtable's Future
Executive Directors Fellows, Nonprofit Montgomery Director, Hope Gleicher, led
a discussion on Work/Life Balance. I was intrigued by humorous stories from nonprofit
leaders Ilir Zherka, Ed Lazere and Kari Galloway. It made me think of my life
as it is now, saddled with tons of reports and proposals, meetings and
networking, happy hours and the occasional lunch and dinner dates. I barely
find time to read a book, watch American Idol or listen to yet another gripe
about the president and his policies.
So how do others strike a balance between work and life?
I admire my friend Rosetta Thurman who makes it a point to tune
out for a month or two and vacation alone. And Jeff Raderstrong who works long
hours around the corner from me at VPP and yet finds time to blog about gentrification
in DC and his recent trip to Harvard.
Then I wonder to myself, how come I'm always too busy to
start the blog I said I'd begin in January, write that study about
collaboration in the nonprofit sector I was determined to write last year, or engage
in the activities of my fellow GWU alumni? Besides, I don't have to rush home
from work to cook dinner for the significant other, or pick the kids up from
the nanny or attend a baseball game. How do the nonprofit leaders whose careers
I hope to emulate like Terri Freeman, Russ Snyder, Kerrie Wilson, and Chuck
Bean do it on a day to day basis and still find time to affect change within
the Greater Washington nonprofit community?
MAY 20: The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is accepting nominations for their Board Leadership Award. Two winning organizations’ Boards of
Directors will receive a $10,000 grant, communication exposure, and
capacity building opportunities. Deadline: May 20
JUNE 1: The Taproot Foundation makes grants of professional consulting services, called Service Grants, which are delivered pro bono by a team of 5-6 business professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to help a nonprofit in their community. Check out their Catalog of available service grants. Deadline: June 1
JUNE 10: NPower Greater DC Region annually offers Technology Innovation Awards to recognize
nonprofits in our metro region that have used technology in innovative ways. Two awardees, one with a budget under and the other over $2 million, receive a Technology Assessment, software, hardware, and a cash prize. Previous winners near bottom of this page. Deadline: June 10
JULY 1: The Meyer Foundation's annual Exponent Award program honors five exemplary nonprofit leaders who may be in danger of burnout or who would benefit from a leadership development grant to take their skills and organization to a new level. The award comes with a two-year grant of $100,000 for leadership development, which could include coaching, continuing education, or funds to strengthen the board and senior management team. Check out the 25 leaders who have received this since 2006 on the left-hand side of this page. Nominations Due: July 1.
April 7: The
Roundtable participated in a press conference with the Board
of Trade's Jim Dinegarand others on the impact of a Federal Government shutdown to
the region.
The
Washingtonian's April issue (not online; p. 68) features Montgomery
County's Office of Community Partnerships successful
engagement with nonprofits in responding to the needs of low-income
residents.
Ed
Orzechowski, President of Catholic
Charities of Washington, announced his retirement for January,
according to the Washington Post. Ed is a former Roundtable Board
Chair; Catholic Charities serves 100,000 people each year in DC and MD
and runs 78 social
service programs.
JUNE 1: The 
JUNE 10: 
is a pro bono consulting firm for nonprofits and is accepting 
JULY 1: The 
