I offer workshops, retreats, facilitation, one-on-one consultation, and conflict resolution for leadership bodies of non-profits: Boards, Councils, Vestries, and Staff. My style is highly interactive and presumes that you are the experts on your own situation; my role is to tease out what you know and how you can use that information to carry out your mission. I fine-tune all workshops and retreats to meet the specific needs and culture of your group.
START-UP CHALLENGES: How to create a board, develop a mission, decide on staffing, begin fundraising, engage in grant writing, and other start-up challenges. Consultation for the start-up team followed by a meeting with your first decision-making body will help your new vision flourish as you create systems for accountability. I have tips and tricks for getting the administrative work done without bogging down your visionaries in paperwork.
TRANSITION CHALLENGES: Whenever you include someone new on your team there is a transition. When founders move-on the challenges are significant. This is a time to reframe and refocus on the mission that drives your non-profit. What are you doing, where, and why? What is your purpose for existing? Now is the time for a two-day retreat, a full-day workshop, or a half-day gathering for your board and staff to prepare for change, for the natural resistance to change, and to prevent founders syndrome from destroying what has been created so far.
TRANSITION POTENTIAL: Somewhere between starting your non-profit and settling into a rhythm is the transition from the entrepreneurial to the maintenance phase. If this is done well everyone will know what is expected from them, some of the chaos will be reduced, and yet there will still be space for new ideas, new approaches, and creative problem solving. A half day or full day workshop with staff and the board can help turn the corner from a stumbling to a steady organization.
INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT: I facilitate meetings between individuals and/or teams to identify the areas of conflict or resistance, to address individual needs, fine-tune job descriptions, and if necessary re-organize your team so that you can get back to focusing on the mission of your non-profit. Often one to two hours of individual consultation or a two to three hour team meeting is all that is needed to get back to effective working relationships.
RETREATS AND WORKSHOPS: Take time for your board and/or staff to get to know one another, and learn strategies for staying focused on your mission with a one day or weekend retreat designed to fit your organization's values and context. Develop a one-year or five-year plan. Imagine a new path for the future. Appreciate a successful program. Depending on your style this will include kinetic activities, prayer or mindfulness time, individual reflection, group discussion, and skill development for effective long term leadership.