Issue 56
February 21, 2007

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its fifth year of publication, with delivery to over 855 subscribers every month! We welcome your feedback and suggestions!

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners:

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

When Boards Embrace Accountability, Good Things Happen

By Lyn McDonell*

What has struck me as a board member, a former senior staff, and now a consultant working with boards, is the pivotal role boards of directors have in establishing the value and practice of accountability in an organization. Too often, however, this important topic does not receive the attention it deserves.

This reticence to address the scope and obligations of accountability is in part because accountability has become a scary word, and associated with blame-seeking. Its bad rap is unfortunate. Accountability is a central principle of organization. When accountability is directly embraced, not avoided or feared, it has a strong and positive effect on the organization as a whole.

Here’s how a board can lead the charge on accountability:

1. Hire or recruit people who possess great integrity onto the board and into senior management. If there were mistakes in the past (we’ve all made them) listen for what was learned and what values are important for the person going forward. The higher one goes in an organization, the more values and ethics come into play.
   
2. Make sure that the organization works. Misalignments can create tension and waste time and energy. The organization is more “fit” to perform when responsibilities are aligned with appropriate authorities, gaps and overlaps are resolved, and interdependencies identified. Remember that sometimes a structural change is needed that is beyond staff authority, involving decisions that only a courageous and accountable board can make.
   
3. Articulate a framework of accountability for the organization – internally and externally. This transformative exercise outlines the roles, responsibilities, delegations and reporting mechanisms that define accountability relationships. Don’t be surprised if board members say they now understand the organization and their function in a whole new way.
   
4. Develop a dashboard for governance that allows the board to know if the organization is making progress in its strategy and towards outcomes that matter. Balanced scorecards and other reporting frameworks increase bottom-up and inside-out accountability and help the board to concentrate its attention on the right issues.
   
5. Report meaningful, relevant and useful information to members and stakeholders at the annual meeting so they know how resources are being used, what results are being achieved and performance in key metrics of relevance to them. Share the accomplishments, lessons of the past year and challenges ahead honestly and forthrightly.
   
6. Ensure everyone (employees and volunteers) understands and is oriented to the importance of accountability internally and externally. People need to hear that they can take entrepreneurial-like responsibility in their role, that outcomes are important (not activity), and that support of one another is fundamental. Emphasize and repeat often the values of stewardship – reflecting on the trust that has been placed in the organization and its people for resources to be used wisely in service of the mission.
   
7. Engage with stakeholders. A board that takes the time to meet with its stakeholders models an accountability that builds relationship and trust. In addition, the board makes more informed decisions on issues.
   
8. Finally, be transparent about the board’s work. Throw open the window of the boardroom and let others see inside to better understand board work. Enable interested members, donors, volunteers or employees to learn of board members’ backgrounds, view board minutes posted on a website, attend an occasional “open” board meeting, and read background reports provided to the board. Transparency builds trust and is proactive accountability

Organizations that demonstrate accountability will have a strategic advantage and be tomorrow’s sector leaders. Wise boards will anticipate this trend, step up to the plate and turn accountability into a cultural strength and positive asset.

*Lyn McDonell, MA, CAE, C. Dir. is a governance and organizational effectiveness consultant based in Toronto, Ontario. This is a shortened version of her original article published in Nonprofit Boards and Governance Review at Charity Channel October 18, 2006.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about accountability through the workshop offerings of BoardConnect®

Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Michigan — Michigan Nonprofit Association's framework for nonprofit self-assessment and planning.

FEATURED ITEMS

BoardConnect® Trainings Offered

Take advantage of a variety of affordable workshops to strengthen your board of directors and make your organization more competitive. Find other offerings, pricing information, maps to locations, and registration through BoardConnect®.

• Accountability, Best Practices and Your Board
  Tuesday, March 13, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  NEW Center, 1100 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor
  
  Learn how to incorporate board accountability best practices into an action plan for your board. Recent developments will be discussed, including the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley, codes of ethics, the Michigan Nonprofit Association's Principles and Practices, the Independent Sector Panel Report, and national and state legislative activity.
  
  
• Building Your Board - Recruiting a Winning Board (BoardConnect® Southeast Nonprofit Training)
  Thursday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. – noon
  Michigan Nonprofit Association Detroit Office
  7375 Woodward Avenue (Youthville), Room 1050
  
  This workshop covers important aspects of recruiting new members including recruitment planning, identifying and cultivating candidates, and electing new members. You'll also learn about BoardConnect's® matching services and boardnetUSA, a national online database that connects candidates and nonprofits.

Individuals interested in board service will benefit from this workshop:

• Serving on a Nonprofit Board – Essentials of Becoming a Nonprofit Board Member
  • Tuesday March 6, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., NEW Center Ann Arbor
  • Wednesday, April 4, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    BoardConnect® Southeast Candidate Training
    Tech Town, 440 Burroughs, Detroit
    
  Learn about the five main responsibilities of board membership and how to match with a nonprofit that is a good fit for your expertise.

Contact BoardConnect® (734-998-0160) for more information.

Get Organized!

Does your organization coordinate multiple activities with many participants? Do you need a better way to communicate with your community about trainings, volunteer workdays, and other on-going opportunities? NEW is happy to announce that our web-based interactive community organizer is now available for purchase. For a reasonable fee, NEW staff will work with you to customize our popular online training calendar to meet your community coordination needs. Check out NEW’s calendar and see how it has been tailored to the needs and the look of The Stewardship Network.

Lisa Brush, Executive Director of The Stewardship Network, says “The calendar is perfect for listing our events throughout Michigan. NEW was great to work with and the result is a wonderful addition to our website that receives a lot of positive feedback from our members.” Contact Dallas Moore (734-998-0160 x227) for more information.

Pfizer Impact Survey

You are invited to participate in The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s survey on the impact of Pfizer's departure on area nonprofits. If your organization is in Washtenaw County and has not yet responded, you are welcome to provide some financial data (if not exact numbers, your best estimate) on this questionnaire. Please respond by Wednesday, February 21. Thank you for helping formulate a well-informed response to the loss of Pfizer. This survey will help the community develop a clearer picture of, and plan a thoughtful response to, that challenge.

Your Guide to Nonprofit Management Solutions

Let ResourceConnect® be your first stop for nonprofit resources. NEW’s information specialists will help you resolve your management challenges by analyzing your needs and providing high quality resources. ResourceConnect® offers:

• Dedicated staff to answer basic questions and provide in-depth guidance on best management practices
• Extensive online resource database on all aspects of nonprofit management
• Searchable online calendar of hundreds of training opportunities
• Guided use of FC Search, a database of over 85,000 foundation and corporate giving programs
• Referrals to seasoned consultants, lawyers, accountants, technology experts, and others who serve nonprofits

Contact ResourceConnect® (734-998-0160 x 218) today!

Many thanks to Borders for strong, ongoing support of ResourceConnect®.

The nonprofit book collection formerly housed at the NEW Center is now available at the Ann Arbor District Library’s downtown location on 5th Ave. The titles on all aspects of nonprofit management are housed together near the 2nd floor reference desk. The books circulate for four weeks.

The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop Grants

The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop requests proposals from qualified social service agencies [designated 501(c)(3)] for the Anne M. Hayes Fund disbursement to be made in June 2007. Please note:

1. Only agencies serving clients in the Ann Arbor School District are eligible for the funds.
2. An agency is only eligible to receive an Anne M. Hayes Award once every three years.
3. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered on or before Monday, April 2, 2007.
4. Decisions on the grants, which typically range from $2,000 to $5,000, will be sent to applicants by the end of May, 2007.

Applications may be downloaded from the Thrift Shop website or requested by e-mail. Applications may also be picked up at the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, 3530 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor 48104.

Classroom Seminar to Cover Online Fundraising (ePhilanthropy)

Thursday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Youthville, 7375 Woodward Ave, Detroit 48202
Hosted by: Michigan Nonprofit Association

A half-day, highly interactive seminar offered by the ePhilanthropy Foundation will allow participants to discuss their experiences and apply new concepts to their online/offline fundraising strategies. The ePhilanthropy Foundation estimates that total online giving in the United States reached approximately $4.53 billion in 2005. The class will emphasize advanced strategy, up-to-date case studies, and the use of data to build stronger relationships and raise more funds.

Cost: $89 without book; $114 with book. Register online for the ePhilanthropy training tour or call 877-536-1245 ext 1.

The Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference

The SuperConference will be held May 15 and 16 in Lansing this year. Entitled “Surviving and Thriving through Seasons of Change,” the meeting will allow time for learning, networking, thoughtful debate and celebration. It is considered a “must” for nonprofit leaders in all positions – executives, board member, program staff, and volunteers. Hold the dates and visit the website to find information on speakers, workshops, accommodations, etc. Online registration is available now. Early bird rates apply until April 20.

Event Scheduling in Washtenaw County

Need help in scheduling your next event? The Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau online calendar of events offers a valuable tool to help development officers plan events such as fundraising dinners, golf outings, and annual dinners and awards banquets. This calendar is free of charge and open to all nonprofit organizations that have events taking place in Washtenaw County. Organizers can search both 'public' (i.e. Art Fair, Ann Arbor Summer Festival) and ‘private' events on the calendar to get a full picture of events taking place on a specific date.

For more information about the calendar of events or to obtain a user name and password, contact Nick Miller.

Mastermind Series

ArtServe Michigan is sponsoring a series of workshops to strengthen arts organizations throughout the state. The next seminar in southeast Michigan will be:

• Governance for Board Members, taught by Susan Katz Froning of NEW
  Tuesday, April 24 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Wayne County Community College – Taylor
  
  This session will teach individuals how to leverage their skills and experiences for the benefit of their organization through training in board member responsibilities, including board operations, strategic planning, resource development, oversight, and ambassadorship.

Find more information and register online. Early bird rates apply before March 1.

Arts Grant Workshops

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) will present free workshops for Michigan nonprofit arts organizations about the Council's grant programs. Workshops will be held throughout the state March 12 through March 30, 2007. Registration is not required.

Choose from these classes in Southeast Michigan:

• Adrian
  Tuesday, March 20, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St.
  (517) 263-5130
• Detroit
  Tuesday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave.
  (313) 833-7900

MCACA grant programs provide funding for arts and cultural projects taking place between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The next application deadline is May 1, 2007. Contact: MCACA Programs Coordinator (517-241-4011).

For more information regarding the Council's programs and other workshop locations, visit MCACA Grant Information.

Community Expo

Allen Elementary School is holding a Community Expo for their parents and student on March 29 from 6 :00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to educate them about the valuable community services available in Washtenaw County. All local nonprofits are invited to send a representative and/or informational materials to the event. Contact Kim Olsen (734-971-0986) to confirm attendance or send materials to her by March 22: 2560 Towner Blvd, Ann Arbor 48104.

Reminders

Public Policy 101: The Basics of Nonprofit Advocacy
Tuesday, February 27, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Detroit

REGULAR FEATURES

The Nonprofit Navigator recently included an article "New Pension Protection Act Modifies Recordkeeping and Substantiation Requirements." Stay up to date on this and other nonprofit legal and policy issues. Read more and subscribe.

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 Calendar

Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar of events. E-mail Nick Miller to request a password to submit an event.