What to Get the Person Who Has Everything? Greek Food? Fun? An Opportunity to Help?

It is that time of the year when you may be searching for gift ideas for a few more people. Let me offer dinner at Santorini’s and the soon to be completed Southeast Community Services Youth Center as a terrific choice that is sure to fit.

I serve on the board of SECS and last year we arranged our event to celebrate the re-opening of Santorini’s after their unfortunate fire earlier that Fall. This year’s “Fire and Ice” theme is to remember the fire but really focus on an old building in Fountain Square, on Shelby Street across from SECS, that is in the midst of being salvaged and turned into a youth center and community meeting space. While the building is being funded by SEND and United Way, we need resources to help equip it and expand the programs that will happen there. The number of children and youth in that neighborhood is exploding and we have such an opportunity.

Last year, I was excited to see a number of friends from the nonprofit community in attendance and hope you’ll consider joining us this year. For $50 a seat, you get a great Santorini’s meal, an opportunity to learn more about SECS and the youth center, and a fun bag of surprises. Sunday night, January 29, 5:30pm until we’re finished, the place is all ours. FMI and to make your reservation, go here.
You can also join in as a sponsor for only $100.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year,


Bryan Orander
President of Charitable Advisors and Publisher, Not-for-Profit News

Wrapping up 2011/Prepping for 2012

I don’t know about you, but this year has flown by and had both highlights and some tough spots. As we finish the year, I offer a few reminders and suggestions:

‘Welcome to the Board’ and ‘Finance for Every Board Member’ booklets – these are a handy, short, inexpensive tool to help new board members get up to speed more quickly or to start a conversation about the work of your board. Use “Promo7” as discount code and press “Submit” for a 20% discount.

New Year's Resolutions for Board Members (Guidestar.org - January 2010) -It’s that time again—for turning over a new leaf, for reexamining our work and lives, for refocusing on what we really want, and for refreshing our commitment to good works. Here are some great New Year's resolutions for nonprofit board members. If you do these, you'll set an example and be a "spark plug" for your organization—and you'll also help make the world a better place through your favorite nonprofit. More

Get your job ads and December news in early – the Not-for-Profit News will not publish the week between Christmas and New Years. Job ads will be posted to the on-line database but we will not publish on Tues, Dec 27(Indy) or Thurs, Dec 29(Cincy). You can submit Job Ads to Ads@NotforProfitNews.com or CincyAds@NotforProfitNews.com and ads can now be as long as you like – no editing to 6-8 lines.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in this special time of the year.

Developing Your Board

(by Dennis Miller for www.thenonprofittimes.com)

(Readers know I am a big advocate for strengthening the relationship between the board chair and executive director and building a culture of accountability among your board members. Here's a good article that might fit into your priorities for 2012. Bryan)

The roles and responsibilities of boards and their members have been well researched and written about by experts in the field. Based upon my experience, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things. To unlock your board's true potential, boards need to constantly re-examine their own performance and make the necessary improvements that have been identified through their assessment process.

Two important aspects of improving a board's governance are:

. Selecting the board chair; and,

. Reappointing board members.

Read the full article.