Some Assembly Required
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
By Melanie Lockwood Herman
Executive Director
Many of us avoid buying furniture and appliances that display package warnings like “some assembly required.” We are easily demoralized knowing it could be a long time before we enjoy a new purchase. Yet when it comes to risk management, the assembly process should not discourage us. Assembly is always required to build an effective risk management program.
We often search for pre-assembled products to train our volunteers and staff how to perform at high levels. But let’s face it, nonprofits are extraordinarily different based on their structures, history, size, culture, resources, location, scope of services, mission and more. These differences necessitate custom, self-assembled risk management education and training.
Consider the following questions as you reflect on whether your risk management program is custom-fit or ill-fitting:
- Do you provide multiple methods and opportunities for paid and volunteer staff to learn the safety and risk management practices? (e.g., orientation, online training, in-person refresher courses, written materials)
- Are your risk management policies reviewed and adjusted to evolve alongside changes in organizational structure, reporting relationships, technology, or programming?
- Do you welcome, receive, and follow up on feedback from paid and volunteer staff about policies and training?
If you seek to assemble a custom-fit risk management program for your nonprofit, start by learning about risk. Need training? Take a peek at our most popular webinars:
Risk-Aware Contracting: What You Don’t Know Could Cost You
Employee Handbook: Dos and Don’ts
Managing Social Media Risk and Reward
Risk Management and Strategic Planning
Shred or Retain? What Documents should my Nonprofit Keep?
Need to create custom policies? Consider our web application, www.MyRiskManagementPolicies.org.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your ideas about any risk management topic, suggestions for best-in-class risk management, 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.”
— Scott Brown, Mohonk Preserve
“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.
— 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 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!