Within our posts you’ll find unique perspectives, thought-provoking ideas, and some insight into the latest research on how you can help your team be better.
“I feel like we should have more structure,” a young professional who works for a Board shared with me recently. While working in a nonprofit “start-up” (yes, start-ups aren’t always for-profit companies), I was asked, “What advice would you give me, knowing what you know and doing what you do?” She’d been working with a consultant on a strategic plan for the past year and, … Continue reading Board Fundamentals
Many organizations and nonprofits seek to make a positive impact on the people they serve by providing programs and services. Significant resources, including time, staffing, and money, are invested in providing programs and services intended to bring upon certain outcomes. While observation can be an effective tool in assessing the successful fulfillment of outcomes related to a program or service, other methods of research and … Continue reading Using Research for Program Efficacy and Improvement: A Conversation with Kappa Alpha Order
When looking up examples of oxymorons I expected to see the term ‘Holiday Stress’ at the top of the list right next to ‘sweet sorrow’ and ‘passive aggressive’. But what I’ve come to realize is that for many people, the terms ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays’ are likely more synonymous oxymorons. If you’re like me, holiday stress has become a natural part of the season. … Continue reading Managing Holiday Stress
Finishing a race. Reaching the top of the mountain. Mastering a new skill. Big or small, achieving a goal is exhilarating. Beyond a sense of accomplishment, setting and achieving goals can have positive psychological outcomes such as increased energy, persistence, and motivation (Locke & Latham, 2012). The benefits of good goal setting do not just apply to individuals, but organizations too. Goal setting has been … Continue reading Developing 2021 Goals Backed by Research and Data
Let me say, right out of the gate, a global pandemic is NOT a good thing. Death, prolonged illness, economic hardships, and despair … as I search for a silver lining, I’m NOT advocating for COVID-19. But, humans are incredibly adaptable (Massey, 2013). No doubt there’s plenty of “bad news” right now; I’ve also heard families talk about how nice it is to eat dinner together again, enjoy a … Continue reading Resilience and COVID-19: College Student Mental Health, Mary McLeod Bethune and Finding Silver Linings
By: Callie Verderosa The practice of inclusion in the workplace, classroom, and community is not new. Though, recent social unrest and concerns across the United States have quickly sparked a fire in many communities and organizations to have diversity, equity, and inclusion as a more prevalent part of the culture in which we live and work. The act of dismantling systems and policies that are … Continue reading Steps Towards Building an Inclusive and Equitable Organizational Culture: A Conversation with Krystal Clark
By: Coco Liu We are almost half a year into this uncharted territory of COVID-19 pandemic. Time flew by so fast that chatting on the deck six-feet away from each other has become the new normal. As a junior in college who had not done much remote work before, delving into online learning and internships also became part of this new normal. Much like how … Continue reading Learning as You Go
