|
|
|||||
|
|||||
| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Archive : Coffee with Cam Articles : Article |
This is an archive of CharityVillage NewsWeek.
To find a word on the page, use your browser's "find" feature (CTRL-F
or CMD-F).
Please note: While we ensure that all links and e-mail addresses are
accurate at their publishing date, the quick-changing nature of the
web means that some links to other web sites and e-mail addresses may
no longer be accurate.
To view other articles in the archive, use our Chronological Index.
Here for a good time and not a long time?
August 2, 2005
By Cam Tait
There's another heat wave lulling over Alberta, with temperatures around 30 degrees. There's a topic around water coolers -- very cool water coolers, you understand -- putting some board of directors on the hot seat.
After reading a snippet from the Calgary Centre for Non-Profit Management, a few figures jump out at us like a snake looming in the warm, brittle grass from a pasture in the southern part of the province. At first, we're startled. But when we really think about it, we really shouldn't be surprised at all.
The Calgary group says about 36% of non-profit executive directors are thinking about leaving their posts in the next two years. Another 82% think they will pack their desks up within the next five years.
And, so the revolving door -- the perception as working in the non-profit sector is a training ground or a springboard -- continues to move around in circles, and up and down.
But here's a fact and figure that could ring several alarms: 82% of people surveyed said their board of directors have not implemented a plan for their future position. And now for the icing on the cake: 41% of non-profit organizations surveyed say they have had two or more executive directors in the past five years.
There can be several levels of discussion on this high turnover of staff. Perhaps leading the parade is the fact that boards of directors might see their time with a group as a two or three-year window. And for them, when their time is over, the window is slammed shut, never to be opened again. While they have, admirably, shared their time to help build an organization, have they done enough?
Whenever there's a high turnover of staff of any organization legitimate questions are posed. It begins at the top, people often say. And for nonprofits the board of directors are a certain target.
Because continuity is of paramount importance. It helps with donors, not only to treat current donors with respect and thanks but to build endless networks of potential donors. With new staff, the introduction process can take some time. And while new networks are formed, what about the old ones that, all of a sudden, stumbled into a dead end, because of staff change. Another concern is building relationships with the media. If you have a long-serving executive director, the chances of your agency's name getting into the paper or over the airwaves increase. And that happens for a couple of reasons: reporters gain respect for an executive director and can call them for a quick quote on a variety of issues. More importantly, though, is putting a familiar name to a friendly face which works both ways for the media and the staff member.
I see this as an issue which will only fester and grow unless board of directors have a five-year-plan. Obviously, many do. But perhaps we have to ask ourselves some serious questions ... or, better yet, challenge board members to give their executive directors a clear, cut vision of the future. Building in some incentive plans would also be a thought; whether they are professional development courses or attending conferences.
We all should hope people who work in nonprofit see it as a career, rather than a mere stop for cup of coffee as they climb the ladder. But we have to make their environment one of challenges, of interest and of loyalty. Otherwise, people -- especially in Alberta -- will be jumping in the pool for a cool dip sooner than we think.
Can we really blame them?
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
|
|||
