News at ACE

Winning the Money Race Before You Ask for Dollars

Last week, ACE President and CEO Stephanie Meincke presented "Winning the Money Race Before you Ask for Dollars" at DHS Division of Community of Service and Nonprofit Support's The Summit. Below are materials she presented.

Powerpoint

Board Ask Assignment

Donor Matrix Template

Is Your Board on the Right Track?

Contrary to some common misconceptions, the purpose of a board of directors is not to garner a lucrative salary, vacation at luxurious golf resorts, and rubber stamp a warmed-over version of last year’s strategic plan. A truly effective board is not made up of “yes” men or women, but of actively thinking overseers who keep the organization on the right track. It is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

In fact, the responsibilities of a director are similar to that of a train conductor. A conductor is responsible for ensuring that a 20,000 ton piece of machinery reaches its destination without getting sidetracked or being derailed. He is responsible for delivering on schedule.

A director is responsible for setting the policies that lay the foundation of the organization, determining strategy, providing financial oversight, hiring key leadership and monitoring performance, and monitoring compliance with regulations. There is a lot to be delivered, and the stakes are high.

How can a board member help keep the organization on track?

Take time to learn about the industry, the organization, and best business practices.

Read carefully – the board materials, policy manuals, bylaws, and resolutions. A board member who only looks at the board books when the meeting is in session is doing a disservice to the office.

Ask questions. Don’t be a rubber stamper. Learn the art of respectfully challenging status quo.

Care – genuinely care about the organization. Guard it from danger. Do everything possible to ensure financial viability.

Keep management accountable to the articles and bylaws of the organization and to the responsibilities of his or her position.

Being a board member definitely has its perks. But it also comes with massive responsibilities. A board of directors that meets those responsibilities well  has a key role in delivering organizational success.

May we be reminded of the The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, most notably the law of navigation which says it takes a leader to chart the course and the law of victory which says leaders find a way for the team (in this case the organization) to win.

If we can help you build a plan for creating momentum and experiencing the Law of Explosive Growth in 2013 and beyond, please contact us at Harbour Resources www.leadershiptwenty20.com or 501.225.3359 and ask for Mike Harbour.

Is Your Board on the Right Track?

By. Paul Gardner, Gardner and Associates

Gardner & Associates (G&A) continues to be impressed that even with nearly 100 years of experience
between the three of us (Paul, Walt and Fred), that the single greatest predictor of success for any NPO, is the make-up, engagement and quality of the board.

Several factors enter into this assessment.  We can best address these through a series of  “Does your NPO have” questions, viz.,

· …a written plan for board identification, recruitment, orientation and retention?

· …a Board Resources Committee (or some call it a Nominating Committee)?

· … a written Job Description, which discusses roles and responsibilities (including giving and getting
expectations)?  This should be in hand and reviewed at the time of the investigative visit.

· …bylaws that spell out the terms of board service?  (Serving on a board should not be a life sentence.)

· … a committee structure that spells out committee roles and expectations of board members?

· … a Strategic Plan that has the board’s finger prints on it and that is adopted by the board, as its plan for organizational direction?

· … an annual board retreat to evaluate the Strategic Plan, address necessary changes and to also serve as a time for ongoing board capacity building?

· …a process of individual board member evaluations?

· … a board (corporately) evaluation?

· … a Corporate Board of Directors?

· …a Foundation and a Board of Trustees?

· … a well-defined difference of roles and expectations of the two different boards?

· …any time at board meetings for input from clients your organization serves to talk about the
importance of your organization, its board and how you (they) are making a difference?

· …individual board members and your board, as a whole, which understand fundraising?  Do they |
understand it is a “process,” rather than a procedure?

· …an understanding of fundraising terminology?

-Suspects? -Prospects? -Donors? -Lapsed donors? -Moves Management? -Annual Giving (Fund)? -Major Gifts? -Planned Gifts (Giving)? -Permanent Endowment? -Quasi Endowment?

-Unrestricted Gifts? -Restricted Gifts? -Designated Gifts? -Annual Gifts? -Project Campaign?

-Capital Campaign? -Endowment Campaign? -Comprehensive Campaign?

· …periodically (at least every three years) review the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation?

· Do members of your board understand the size and scope of the NPO Sector?

If you and your staff need help in educating your board, G&A would be pleased to help you in customizing the process.  We believe that the better informed your board is, the greater potential you as an
organization will have to be more successful.  And, after all, who does not want that?  Be in touch if we can be of service to you.

2013 National Nonprofit Salary Survey

Columbia Books and Arkansas Coalition for Excellence have joined together to produce the 2013 Arkansas Compensation Report. Thanks to our state participants, members and
nonmembers, the State Salary Survey conducted in the Spring of 2013 will be a collection of
invaluable data on nonprofit compensation specifically in Arkansas. 100 organizations in
Arkansas must participate in order for a state-specific report to be created.

What does the full report include?

- Specific market salary information for over 100 positions including median salaries,
average salaries and more within your state
- Compensation analysis by title, nonprofit type, budget and staff size
- Easy-to-use charts and graphs

How can the report help you?

- Determine the most competitive salary level for each position to support recruitment and     retention
- Understand how your organization’s pay levels compare with others in your state
- Track changes in nonprofit pay levels and trends from one year to the next
- Provide hard data to support your salary structure recommendations

The report has been prepared by experts with over 30 years of experience in conducting
regional nonprofit compensation studies. With 123 job titles and detailed job descriptions, you will be able to match job titles and actual job content.  As a member or non member
participant you will also receive a unique organization code that will allow you to find your
data in the report and compare it to others across Arkansas

When will the report be available and how much will it cost?

State Report:
Members who participated – free
Members who did not participate – $75
Nonmembers who participated – $75
Nonmembers who did not participate – $150

National Report:
Members who participated – $129
Members who did not participate – $242.90
Nonmembers who participated – $129
Nonmembers who did not participate – $347