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Executive Director
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end…” – Closing Time, Semisonic
Upon learning that an employee or volunteer will be leaving your nonprofit, you might schedule a time for the departing team member to turn in their keys, return equipment, and receive a briefing on post employment benefits. Departing board members often receive a thank you card signed by the staff, or even a decorative plaque or paperweight.
Yet the most important pre-departure step is often skipped: the exit interview. Three of the most common reasons for skipping exit interviews include:
Employee departures may be a bit awkward, but they are a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the mission and effectiveness of your nonprofit.
Five of the most common mistakes made in conducting exit interviews include:
Resolve to conduct exit interviews with every departing employee and departing long-time volunteer or board member–regardless of the reason for the departure. Here are a few tips on getting your exit strategy right.
Someday you might sever ties with the nonprofit you currently work for; you might even be planning your exit right now. If you truly care about your nonprofit’s mission and the wellbeing of your workplace, then take full advantage of the exit interview when it’s your turn to exit. Follow these helpful tips from a June 2015 Forbes article, Exit Interview Do’s and Don’ts.
For help instituting or improving exit interviews at your nonprofit, join our Affiliate Membership program to access an exclusive webinar on exit interviews. For additional tips on managing the end of relationships with employees, volunteers and vendors, see the Center’s article, Happy Endings. For specific tips on board member exit interviews, see Carol Weisman’s blog at https://carolweisman.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/exit-interviews-for-board-members/.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your feedback on this article or questions about risk issues at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org or 703.777.3504.
“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 the Center 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 the Center. 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 Center 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!