Tag Archives: Events

How to Create an Effective Staff Process (Pt 1): 4 Steps for Building a Framework

Staff Request Process – Featured Image

A while ago, I shared tips on how to build a staff process that people will want to follow. Because when you start getting overwhelmed with requests, a process is key to staying cool and organized.

We already did the first step of clarifying how these requests play out in our orgs today. We’ve got notes on everything that matters: the types of requests we get, the needs of our requestors, and our own team’s capacity. (If you haven’t read that first post, you really want to start here.)

Now that that’s done, we need to translate those points into a living, breathing process. That’s a pretty big leap, especially when you’re not used to doing it.

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10 Ways Your Nonprofit Isn’t Using Google Forms, But Could Be

Screen-Shot-2019-05-14-at-12.09.09-PM

Whether your nonprofit is using it or not, let’s talk Google Forms for a second.

In case you’re not familiar, Google Forms is a survey app that comes with the Google Suite of products. Much like Google Docs and Google Sheets, it has its own place in the G-Drive and lets you easily build form surveys.

Google is not sponsoring this post. I’m not even claiming it’s the best survey tool out there. BUT, it’s worth highlighting for three very nonprofitty reasons:

  • It’s simple.
  • It’s free.
  • It’s accessible. Even if your org doesn’t use Google products, you could sign up right now to build your first form with no fuss.

This means that Google Forms has many applications for our work, regardless of how large or technologically sophisticated the org. A simple tool that can do all the things? Prettyyyy cool.

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The Unconference Model is Problematic. Here’s Why & What to Do About It

conference chairs

Gang, let’s talk about unconferences. Because I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings.

First, if you’ve never heard of an unconference, let’s start there. An unconference is a “participant-led” learning experience. It rebels against the typical conference structure, in that there’s no preset agenda.

Yep, you read me correctly.

There is no agenda for this conference, .until you show up to make it. The idea is that the audience –the people who this whole thing is designed to benefit–  put forth the topics they want to discuss. Hence, the ‘un’.

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The Nonprofit Event Checklist: Plan & Rock Your Next Event

Nonprofit Checklist

Events are the double-edged sword of the nonprofit world.

On the one hand, they bring people into the fold of your org’s work. I’ve seen a student move a room of 500 people by sharing his classroom experience. I have BAWLED listening to an ED talk about kids using karate to cope with cancer. There’s no denying that events are a great engagement mechanism.

Still, that doesn’t make them easy.

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5 Tips for Quickly Designing a Flyer in Word (with GIFs)

5 Tips for Quickly Designing a Flyer in Word (with GIFs)

Have you ever been asked to build, or modify, a flyer during your nonprofit career? Whether you’ve worked in program services, volunteer management or development, I’m guessing the answer is yes. It’s certainly happened to me more than a few times!

If you’re Illustrator savvy, this isn’t a big ask. But if not, you’ve probably wondered ‘where do I begin? And WHY can’t we just contract this out to someone else for crying out loud?’ Continue reading →

10 Tips As You Approach Your Annual Fundraiser

fundraiser event

It’s finally spring and for many of us, things in the sector are beginning to slow down. As warm weather settles in and we start leaving the office earlier, it feels like we can FINALLY relax.

But this is only true for some of us. For others…it’s gala season.

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