You’re Not Alone: How to Meet Your Fellow ‘Risk People’
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
By Rachel Sams
Lead Consultant and Editor
Being a nonprofit risk professional can be a lonely job.
Maybe you manage a team, but the risk department doesn’t seem fully integrated into operations at your nonprofit. Maybe you’re a “department of one.” Or maybe risk management isn’t even part of your job duties — just a gap you’ve seen at your organization and tried to fill as best you could.
No matter your situation, you might feel like colleagues hesitate to share their most exciting ideas with you, for fear that you’ll ask questions about those pesky risks. They might see you as the “department of no.”
Nonprofit risk management is always challenging. But it doesn’t have to be lonely. One way to alleviate nonprofit risk management loneliness: enroll in NRMC’s Emerging Risk Leaders Certificate Program. This interactive virtual program serves nonprofit professionals who want to hone their risk skills and understanding.
Last fall I had the chance to take part in an ERLCP cohort, watching ideas spark and connections blossom. This diverse and dynamic group of 12 risk professionals learned strategies and techniques for managing risk at their nonprofit. In group exercises, they worked through hypothetical scenarios to learn how to address real-life risk challenges. The participants learned a lot from NRMC, which we enjoy; it’s one of the ways we fulfill our educational mission as a nonprofit ourselves. But better yet, the ERLCP cohort members learned from each other and gained new peers to call when they face a tough risk question.
“The tools NRMC provides are so helpful, but furthermore, being able to brainstorm with other participants in similar positions and at other nonprofit organizations was invaluable!” said Alexis Benavidez, Chief Administrative Officer at Communities In Schools of Nevada, who took part in the Fall 2023 ERLCP cohort. “It’s rare to get those groups together and yet so beneficial, as we all face very similar challenges but really don’t have other forums to discuss them.”
I’m excited to take over teaching ERLCP this year from our Executive Director Melanie Lockwood Herman, who’s taught the program since it launched in 2022. Applications for our Spring 2024 cohort are open now and fall cohort applications will open in the coming weeks. Participation costs $395 for nonmembers or $158 for people who work for a current NRMC affiliate member organization. The program encompasses three 3-hour virtual workshops. Typically, sessions take place about two weeks apart. We assign a little homework and additional reading for those who want to learn more. And we ask each cohort member to take on a risk-related project at their organization: the project can be as big or light a lift as feels doable for them at that time. Curiosity and an open mindset are required, but we don’t require that participants have any prior risk management training or experience.
If your New Year’s resolution is to deepen your risk knowledge and your network, ERLCP might be for you. Learn more and apply today.
Rachel Sams is Lead Consultant and Editor at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Reach her with questions and ideas about the ERLCP program at rachel@nonprofitrisk.org or (505) 456-4045.
“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!