This Year: An Odyssey of Your Making
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
By Melanie Lockwood Herman
Executive Director
Resource Type: Risk eNews
Topic: HR Risk and Employment Practices
Many nonprofit leaders fall asleep dreaming about better times for the organizations they serve. Let’s face it, last year was a rough year for the vast majority of organizations that provide vital social services, deliver inspired cultural programs, and conduct research and advocacy to eradicate disease and protect and conserve natural resources and the environment. While so many charitable organizations struggled, an unprecedented number of nonprofits were unable to survive declining public and private support.
I can recall many years when I lamented how quickly the year “flew by.” If the events of the past year have challenged your normally sunny disposition and hopeful outlook, I urge you to continue looking ahead.
Several years ago I chose to ignore my advancing years and join my daughter on an ice-skating rink. After a hard fall on the ice I decided to mothball my plans to enjoy the great outdoors and hunker down with a good book. A favorite book that came immediately to mind was Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now, by Gordon Livingston. After that fall on the ice, two of the “thirty things” felt especially meaningful. The first was the statement, “We are what we do.” In this section of the book the author explains, “We are always talking about what we want, what we intend. These are dreams and wishes and are of little value in changing our mood. We are not what we think, or what we say, or how we feel. We are what we do.”
Reading this section of Too Soon Old reminded me that as leaders of nonprofits we must do more than dream about a better future. We must translate those dreams into practical steps that are within reach given our missions, resources, and culture. What single step could your organization take to improve the safety of your “brand,” strengthen your approach to financial management, increase accountability by staff and volunteers, or minimize the likelihood of a claim or lawsuit by an injured or disgruntled stakeholder?
In the chapter exploring the relationship between happiness and risk taking Livingston writes, “Something is lost in our obsessive concern with safety and security—some spirit of adventure. Life is a gamble in which we don’t get to deal the cards, but are nevertheless obligated to play them to the best of our ability.”
I invite you to think about the risks not taken in your nonprofit. Ask, what bold risks will we embrace this year to advance our mission?
Many readers are looking back on a difficult year. That makes it hard, but necessary to take a hard look at what we will do this year and next. NCAA football coach Lou Holtz said, “When all is said and done, more is said than done.” Let’s pledge to say less, and do more. And while you’re thinking about what you will do, why not consider taking at least one bold, calculated risk that will advance the mission of the organization you lead.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your feedback on this article and questions about the NRMC’s resources at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org.
“One thing I love about the Risk Summit is the opportunity to connect and learn from other risk managers, nonprofit professionals, and NRMC staff. I have attended the Risk Summit multiple years and always look forward to connecting with returning attendees and meeting new people. The Risk Summit brings together a diverse and engaged set of professionals who are ready to learn, share, and connect.”
— Heather Chadwick
“I love the Risk Summit because I always learn something valuable, such as new approaches to the issues I’m grappling with. I always leave the Risk Summit with a notebook full of practical ideas. I also leave with an expanded network of professional acquaintances and a feeling it was the most useful conference I’ve been to in quite a while. I am in awe how such a topic as risk management can be artfully delivered.”
— Paul Doman
“One thing I love about the Risk Summit is the ability to see and feel the passion of nonprofit leaders as they learn and share together.”
— Michael Schraer
“One thing I love about the Risk Summit is connecting and learning from / with really great people.”
— Lisa Prinz
“First let me congratulate you on a conference well done. I had a great time at the Nonprofit Employee Benefits Conference and walked away with some valuable tools and questions that we’ll need to be addressing in both the short and long term. Thanks to you and your staff for all you do to provide us with quality resources in support of our missions.”
— Scott Brown, Mohonk Preserve
“BBYO’s engagement of NRMC to conduct a risk assessment was one of the most valuable processes undertaken over the past five years. Numerous programmatic and procedural changes were recommended and have since been implemented. Additionally, dozens (literally) of insurance coverage gaps were identified that would never have been without the work of NRMC. This assessment led to a broker bidding process that resulted in BBYO’s selection of a new broker that we have been extremely satisfied with. I unconditionally recommend the Center for their consultative services.
— Sidney Abrams, BBYO
“Melanie Herman has provided expert, insightful, timely and well resourced information to our Executive Team and Board of Directors. Our corporation recently experienced massive growth through merger and the Board has been working to better integrate their expanded set of roles and responsibilities. Melanie presented at our Annual Board of Director’s Retreat and captured the interest of our Board members. As a result of her excellent presentation the Board has engaged in focused review which is having immediate effects on governance.”
— Pamela Mattel, Basics Promesa Systems Inc
“The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has been an outstanding partner for us. They are attentive to our needs, and work hard to successfully meet our requests for information. Being an Affiliate member gave us access to so many time- and money-saving resources that it easily paid for itself! Nonprofit Risk Management Center is truly a valued partner of The Community Foundation of Elkhart County and we are continuously able to optimize staff time with the support given by their team.”
— Jodi Spataro, Community Foundation of Elkhart County
“The board and staff of the Prince George’s Child Resource Center are extremely pleased with the results of the risk assessment conducted by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. A thorough scan revealed that while we are a well run organization, we had risks that we never imagined. We are grateful to know that we have now minimized our organizational risks and we recommend the Center to other nonprofits.”
— Marti Worshtil, Prince George’s Child Resource Center
Great American Insurance Group’s Specialty Human Services is committed to protecting those who improve your communities. The NRMC team has committed to delivering dynamic risk management solutions tailored to nonprofit organizations. These organizations have many and varied risk issues, hence the need for specialized coverage and expert knowledge for their protection. We’ve had Melanie speak on several occasions to employees and our agents. She is always on point and delivers such great value. Thank you for the terrific partnership and allowing our nonprofits to focus on their mission!