Issue 22
January 22, 2004

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. It includes items of interest to the nonprofit community in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas, as well as resources available at NEW. Encourage your friends and colleagues to join over 280 other NEWSNOTES subscribers!

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its partners:

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

Jack, Be Nimble: Nourishing Strategic Agility in Your Organization

By Morrie Warshawski,* www.warshawski.com

“God bless the flexible, because they never get bent out of shape.” Anonymous

If you are reading this article then you most likely are living life in the nonprofit fast lane – a daily version of Double Jeopardy where the categories keep changing, the stakes keep rising, and where there are a plethora of difficult questions with only a few right answers. How does the modern nonprofit manager survive in an environment that has become increasingly unpredictable; an environment where being nimble is no longer an option, but rather a requirement?

Smart organizations, their managers and governance bodies, have come to understand that they must engage in processes that help them achieve what I call “strategic agility,” also known as “adaptive capacity” - the ability to successfully adapt to change.

The Hawai’i Community Foundation recently concluded a three-year study on this subject and discovered a set of characteristics and management systems that go hand-in-hand with adaptive capacity, including:

• Self-awareness: understanding the strengths and weaknesses of one’s organization and its place in the larger context of its field and the overall culture
• Leadership
• Responsiveness to constituents: understanding constituents’ needs and interests through research and community input
• Motivating staff and volunteers
• Innovativeness: the ongoing capacity to be innovative, as distinguished from specific, one-time innovations
  (this list is taken from Grantmakers in the Arts Reader, Fall 2002, page 7)

The most powerful tool I have found for significantly increasing strategic agility is the long range strategic planning process – when done right. To quote former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” A good planning process should bring all of the crucial elements for adaptive capacity to the fore, and into alignment. Planning does this by engaging the organization with key questions and productive processes that usually include the following elements:

• Data review of performance in all areas of operations (ideally for a four year period of time so that three distinct moments of change can be observed)
• Internal self-assessment by board and staff
• Benchmarking other comparable entities
• Understanding the external environment – trends, opportunities and threats in major areas that affect the organization
• Identification of organizational strengths and problem areas
• Inclusion of board, staff and key stakeholders throughout the planning process
• Canvassing of community stakeholders through focus groups, roundtables, and surveys
• Discussion of core values
• Clarification of the mission
• Creation of a dynamic vision for the future – one that excites staff, board and stakeholders
• Adoption of major strategic directions – the broad areas of accomplishment that will make the most difference to the organization long term
• A short-term action plan that identifies clear outcomes and responsible parties
• A process for evaluation
• A formal process for keeping the plan alive

Not every organization can afford the time and energy to engage in all the items on this list. When a client tells me that time and resources are an issue, then I recommend placing emphasis on the clarification of the three “large” issues – core values, mission, and vision. If an organization can muster a large consensual agreement on and commitment to these three arenas, then everything else will flow more smoothly. Core values need to be identified and brought to the surface since they color all the activities of the organization and are immutable. The mission lets staff, board and the community know why the organization exists, its raison d’etre, its central purpose; an organization without a mission is an organization without a heart. The vision is the specific dream that everyone in the organization shares for how things will look in the future if it is successful in its actions.

Until these three large items come into alignment there will be irreconcilable differences in the organization and an inability to make truly strategic decisions about issues both large and small. To quote Goethe, “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” And that is the essence of being nimble – making sure that all levels of the organization agree on where they want to go, and what things are more important than others. The results of planning should be a very practical and pragmatic set of directions that gives all parts of the organization the ability to be nimble, to be agile and strategic at the same time – and to achieve important things.

copyright © 2003 Please contact the author for permission to reprint this article.
……………………
*MORRIE WARSHAWSKI is a member of NEW’s Online Consultant Directory. He is based in Ann Arbor and has consulted with nonprofits throughout the US for almost thirty years.
Contact information:
1408 W. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 332-9768
email morriewar@aol.com
Web site: www.warshawski.com

• Books available to borrow from the Nonprofit Resource Library at the NEW Center: see our bibliography on Strategic Planning. Titles have direct links to Amazon if you wish to purchase.
  
  
• Additional titles suggested by the author:

  Napier, Rod; Patrick Sanaghan; and Cling Sidle. High Impact Tools and Activities for Strategic Planning: Creative Techniques for Facilitating Your Organization’s Planning Process. McGraw-Hill, 1998.

  Schwartz, Peter. The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World. New York: Doubleday, 1996.

  Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 1990.

  Stevens, Louise. The Community Cultural Planning Work Kit. Amherst, MA: Arts Extension Service, 1987.

  Stevens, Susan Kenny. Nonprofit Lifecycles: Stage-based Wisdom for Nonprofit Capacity. Long Lake, MN: Stagewise Enterprises, 2001.

  Warshawski, Morrie, Kelly Barsdate, and Jonathan Katz. A State Arts Agency Strategic Planning Toolkit. National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, 2000.



• Internet sites:

  American Planning Association

  The Planners Network

  Alliance for Nonprofit Management

  Nonprofit Genie: FAQs on Strategic Planning

FEATURED ITEMS

Education Services: Scholarship Application Time

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work announces its Spring 2004 Managing for Nonprofit Excellence workshop series. Increase your knowledge and effectiveness by tapping into the expertise of NEW’s professional volunteer faculty. Encourage board members, staff and volunteers to choose from the 50 different workshops offered March 22 through May 21. Topics include fundraising, marketing, governance, financial management and technology. See the listing online, download a copy of the catalog, or contact NEW (734-998-0160) to have a copy mailed to you. Online registration is easy!

Through the generosity of our scholarship donors, NEW is able to offer scholarships to support workshop participation. The application deadline for Spring 2004 scholarships is February 13, 2004. Your organization can apply by filling out the online application form. Please note that this is the only application cycle for all workshops held from March to May 2004. A new scholarship donor is offering scholarships to 501(c)(3) nonprofits anywhere in the state of Michigan, so if your organization has not been eligible in the past, look again!

NEW Center Office Space Available

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) has a limited amount of office space available for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The NEW Center building, at 1100 N. Main in Ann Arbor, is currently home to 20 nonprofit arts, human service and environmental agencies. NEW Center tenant benefits include use of conference room facilities, a nonprofit resource library, shared workroom with copier, fax, and postage meter, and onsite parking. Please contact Lia Stevens (734-998-0160).

NEW's Annual Report Now Online

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work is pleased to present the Annual Report for 2002-2003, our 10th anniversary year. Find stories from some of our local nonprofits who have used NEW’s resources to strengthen their organizations. We are proud to serve the wide range of hard-working, dedicated nonprofit entities in southeastern Michigan. Paper copies may be requested from Ann Gladwin (734-998-0160).

Leadership²Go Seeks Feedback from Executive Directors

NEW seeks feedback from area executive directors about past Leadership²Go panel sessions, future leadership needs, and more. Executive directors, if you have not done so already, please visit NEW's Leadership²Go page for more information and to complete a short evaluation.

The Leadership²Go Online Discussion Forum will be discontinued indefinitely due to lack of participation. If you have a login and password to the forum, it will expire effective Tuesday, January 27th. The retirement of the online forum will not affect the Leadership²Go panel events. For questions or comments, please contact Liz S. Peintner, Director of Leadership and Education, (734-998-0160).

News from NPower Michigan

Nonprofit CPR-Disaster Recovery Planning and Business Continuity
NPower Michigan and the Southeast Michigan Red Cross invite you to learn more about how to prepare for a disaster. This 2-hour seminar ( 9am – 11am) is offered in Detroit on January 28 and in Grand Rapids on January 29. More information can be found online.

Global ePhilanthropy Training Tour 2004 scheduled for February 6
NPower Michigan is hosting a half-day (8:30am – 12:30pm) seminar designed to help nonprofit organizations learn how to effectively use the Internet to build community and attract philanthropic support online. All training is provided by ePhilanthropy Master Trainers. Register online. The seminar will be held at the Penobscot Building, Smart-Detroit Offices, 645 Griswold, 13th Floor, Detroit, Michigan.

Michigan Nonprofit Association Seeks Input from Nonprofit Leaders

Michigan Nonprofit Association and the Michigan Nonprofit Research Program are asking nonprofit leaders to complete a brief, 20-question survey about their organization's experience during the economic slowdown of the past 4 years. The information gathered will help Michigan's policymakers understand the context in which Michigan's nonprofit organizations operate, and a final written report will provide a detailed "snapshot" of Michigan's nonprofits.

Please find the survey online and take a bit of time to answer questions about your organization’s experiences. If you would prefer to complete the survey in paper form, please send an email to Melissa Riba at Public Sector Consultants and one will be made available to you.

AAACF Grant Proposal Deadlines Near

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s general grant program accepts proposals just two times per year. February 4, 2004 is the deadline for submitting proposals for this round; the next opportunity will be October 6, 2004. The foundation has a new Capacity Building grant program that will offer small ($3,000 - $10,000), one-time grants to nonprofit organizations to help manage the current economic challenges. See the AAACF Web site for application forms and more information.

Applications for funds from the Youth Council Grant Program are due February 11, 2004. See the funding priorities of this program online.

Applicants for any and all grants must contact Martha Bloom (734-663-2173) before submitting an application.

Advertisement Opportunity

Would you like more exposure for your nonprofit organization?

Business Direct Weekly (BDW) is offering NEWSNOTES subscribers the opportunity to be considered for a sponsored, one-time, free ad spot on their new Nonprofit Profile page.

A random drawing will be held to choose 12 different organizations, one to be featured each month. To put your organization in the pool, send an email to new@new.org by February 6, 2004. Please put BDW in the subject line and include your name, organization, address, phone and email. If your name is drawn, you will be contacted by Heather Feldkamp from BDW. In some cases your input may be needed to locate an appropriate sponsor. Good luck to all!

Arts Alliance Seeks Input on Web Site Design

The Arts Alliance of the Ann Arbor Area (A5) is asking for your feedback to refine their kids’ cultural activities Web site. The site is intended to be an invaluable resource for parents, educators, caregivers and anyone seeking information about cultural activities for children in Washtenaw County. Hands-on use sessions, where evaluators can give suggestions for site improvements, are scheduled for Tuesday, January 27 at Washtenaw Intermediate School District and Wednesday, January 28 at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti, both from 4:00 to 5:30pm. Please RSVP to Tamara Real (734-214-0112) for a fun afternoon.

Waste Knot Award Application Due

Now is the time to join Washtenaw County’s Waste Knot program! Businesses, schools, government agencies and nonprofit organizations that show leadership in waste reduction and energy conservation are recognized at the annual Waste Knot ceremony. The deadline for being considered for this year’s awards is February 14. If you don’t think you qualify for a Waste Knot Award, apply anyway -- you may be eligible for a Certificate of Merit. Being a Waste Knot partner gives you credibility in the community, helps you save money and provides great publicity. Apply online.

Reminders:

Pfizer Community Grants: Grant applications must be postmarked by January 30. NEW’s Nonprofit Resource Library has extra application forms. Call Pfizer’s Office of Community Affairs (734-622-1107) for more information.

MCACA Minigrant Deadline February 2, 2004: See NEW’s Web site for more information about grants to arts organizations from The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Andrew Steck (734-998-0160) is available to answer your questions.

IU Fundraising School Class Offered Locally in March: March 2 and 3, 8:30-5:00 daily is slated for Building Relationships with Donors and Potential Donors.

REGULAR FEATURES

Nonprofit Bulletin Board

Visit NEW's Nonprofit Bulletin Board to post and view notices about free resources, fundraising opportunities, and other items relevant to the southeast Michigan nonprofit community.

Events Calendars

Ring!Michigan   Select a county below. Scroll to the end of the calendar to find the posting form.