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Executive Director
Last weekend two close friends who are enthusiastic members of a bowling league persuaded me to join them for an outing to our local bowling alley. Prior to Sunday I perceived bowling to be an individual sport. I’ve watched winning bowlers celebrate their high scores and losing players take the walk of shame to the nearest bench after bowling an embarrassing “gutter” ball.
But during our afternoon at the alley last Sunday I gained a new perspective on bowling: the fact that it is in fact, or can be, a team sport. When it was my turn to bowl each of the experienced bowling league members offered gentle coaching and helpful tips. When my efforts were rewarded with a few scattered pins, the members of my “team” offered positive feedback and words of encouragement. Throughout the afternoon we cheered each other’s triumphs, downplayed our bad form, and laughed about our inconsistent performance within and between games.
The concept of “teamwork” is a familiar, recurring thread in the fabric of nonprofit life. We look for prospective employees and volunteers who are “team players,” we routinely welcome newcomers to our “team” and we regularly assign key tasks to work groups and volunteer teams. Yet many teams ultimately fail and some are doomed to fail or flounder from the start.
Consider the following tips as you reflect on the effectiveness of existing teams within your organization and also before you form new teams to tackle the risk issues on your nonprofit’s horizon.
Teams in the nonprofit sector are as varied as the assortment of colorful, differently weighted bowling balls emerging from the ball return at your local bowling alley. No single format, structure, or length of service will be effective in every instance. And in some cases assigning a team creates more problems than even an effective team can possibly solve. By giving some thought to whether a team is truly needed, the length of service required, the value of “changing it up,” and the need for candor and accountability you’ll increase the odds that the teams formed in your nonprofit will enjoy working together while advancing your mission.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your ideas about any risk management topic, feedback on this article and questions about the Center’s resources at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org or 703.777.3504. The Center provides risk management tools and resources at www.https://nonprofitrisk.org/ and offers consulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to chance.
“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.”
“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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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!
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