By Kathy Cohen, Ph.D. and Nanette R. Fridman, MPP, JD When nonprofit organizations had boards of 50, 80 or even 100 people, the actual work of the board was done by executive committees. This made sense because it is nearly impossible to have meaningful conversations in groups that large. Over the last decade, we have seen a progressive and beneficial trend of boards downsizing with most boards ranging from 13 to 23 members. Given these … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Executive Committees: Striking the Right Balance
Managing Your Nonprofit
Reflections on Succession:
A Personal Perspective
By Dr. Hal M. Lewis
Within the next several weeks I will officially step down from the CEO post I have held for the past ten years at a major educational institution. In a nonprofit environment that is often as cutthroat and “dog-eat-dog” as the corporate arena, I am proud to report that my departure is 100% scandal-free. No drama, no mystery, no backstory. Stepping down from the Presidency of my institution was entirely my decision and one I … [Read more...] about Reflections on Succession:
A Personal Perspective
Four Transformative Lessons from Failure
By Tia Kansara 13 years ago, I decided not to go down the traditional route of a 9-5 job. I’d just returned from teaching English in Japan and desperately wanted to pay off my student loans. I thought I’d use my economics degree and go into banking. (More than banking, I was interested in how my pay cheque would make me feel “debtless.”) A friend of mine suggested I meet his father, thinking he may have a job for me. Curiously, this person … [Read more...] about Four Transformative Lessons from Failure
Positive Feedback and Our Ice Age Brains
By David Raphael There is a joke I like to tell: What is the difference between a Jewish pessimist and a Jewish optimist? A Jewish pessimist says: “Things are terrible, they can’t possibly get worse.” Says the Jewish optimist: “Things are terrible, but they can always get worse.” As Jews, we may feel that pessimism is deeply embedded into our collective consciousness. But the truth is that hyperawareness to danger is hard wired into all … [Read more...] about Positive Feedback and Our Ice Age Brains
The Impact of Major Gifts and the Importance of Broad Participation
By Robert H. Isaacs Imagine that you are the president of one of our Jewish communal institutions, e.g., a synagogue, Jewish community center, etc., which has identified $10 million in capital and endowment needs. Your organization moves forward with a major fundraising initiative to secure the necessary funding and as you begin your campaign, two donors step forward, each making a $5 million dollar commitment. Now, having met your identified … [Read more...] about The Impact of Major Gifts and the Importance of Broad Participation
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