This Is It
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Executive Director
By Melanie Lockwood Herman
Several years ago I took my daughter to see the documentary, “This Is It,” about the rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s come-back tour. Prior to seeing the film I can’t say I was a fan of MJ’s music. But somehow, the film’s ‘behind the scenes’ look at the ill-fated tour got me hooked on the singer’s music. Now, instead of quickly changing the station when a Michael Jackson song begins, I turn up the volume.
The title of the documentary came to mind today as I was thinking about some of the great sessions we have planned for the 2013 Risk SUMMIT in Boston. This year we’re offering several brand new, how-to sessions that are truly “this is it” opportunities for risk professionals. Our new sessions include:
- Magic Tricks: Making Risk Management Training Fun — This new workshop is a must for nonprofit risk champions who recognize the importance of staff and volunteer training. Let’s face it, if you can’t make risk management training entertaining, your important message may never get through to an audience. Your staff trainees may give their full attention to the smartphones in their laps, instead of the message in your pretty PPT. Speaker Paul Samson promises to deliver a highly interactive showcase of tricks to make risk management training fun, thought-provoking and memorable.
- The Risk Management Function: Custom Fit versus Ready Made — NRMC Project Manager Alex Ricketts and I are co-presenting this new session where we promise to take the mystery out of the risk management function. We will share actual examples of how risk management programs come to life in nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and internationally. Stop wondering about the possibilities and join us to learn how high-performing nonprofits deliver on the promise to protect assets and free up resources for mission-advancing programs and services.
Another reason the film “This Is It” came to mind this week is that Friday is the last day we’re able to offer the early-bird registration rate for this year’s SUMMIT. If you register before Friday, you’ll save an extra $100 to attend what we guarantee will be a fun and informative educational event. And if you book your room at the funky conference hotel, The Revere, before August 2nd, you will be able to enjoy an affordable, yet beautiful and comfortable room steps away from conference sessions.
Melanie Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your calls and questions about any risk topic and the Center’s products and services. Contact Melanie at: Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org or 703.777.3504.
The Real “This Is It”
This week we’re saying a fond farewell to our unflappable Office Manager, Sue Weir Jones. If you’ve ever purchased a Center product, called about my availability for a speaking engagement, or registered for a Center webinar or conference, you’ve experienced Sue’s professionalism, enthusiasm and attention to detail. During her five year period of service to the Center’s mission, Sue has made an extraordinary contribution to our vision and to our bottom line. She was the only staff member who remained calm during a summer when we released four new books and two new cloud applications, and she recently helped recruit and train our three newest staff professionals. “Thank you for everything!” is inadequate to express the staff and board’s gratitude for Sue’s leadership. We wish her great success in her next work adventure! — Melanie Herman
“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!