Compass Logo
Strategic Guidance. Stronger Nonprofits.
In This Issue
Project Leader Applications
Volunteer Applications
Meet the Clients
Compass' 10th Anniversary
Corporate Sponsors - 10th Anniversary
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Vol. 8, No. 3
September 2011
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WHAT'S IN A NAME?

    

My 11-year old son, who loves to cook, asked me recently if he could be the Kitchen Manager in our house. It sounded like a fine, non-controversial request, so I immediately agreed to it. I didn't, however, take into account his two teenage brothers. "What do you mean he's the Kitchen Manager?" they demanded, when he announced his new title. "Why does he get to be the Kitchen Manager?" I was a bit dumbfounded at this reaction from two boys who don't do much cooking. Then one night after dinner, the older boys found me cleaning up in the kitchen. "Hey Mom, do you need some help?" one of my sons asked. "That would be great!" I replied, thinking this was a nice turn of events. "Go ask your Kitchen Manager," he said with a grin. I have to admit that we all doubled over with laughter at this unexpected retort.

 

So what is a title exactly? At Compass, we have different titles for different roles: Project Advisor, Project Leader, and Team Member. Having just selected our new clients, our next step is to select Project Leaders.

 

Project Leaders have a unique and special place at Compass. Their official role is to oversee the project work, motivate volunteers, and manage the relationship with their nonprofit client. More often than not, however, Compass Project Leaders become mentors, coaches and friends to their client. I think it's what clients appreciate the most - having someone on their side, in their corner, watching their back.

 

It's not surprising that these relationships often endure after the Compass project ends. Some Compass Project Leaders stay in contact with their client for years after the project.

 

One client emailed me after her project ended last spring. "I value [the volunteers'] commitment to helping my organization, and their compassion for "owning" the project as if they are part of the organization. I was totally surprised by my Project Leader when he said he would donate time for us in August. My heart was overwhelmed with joy."

 

For the next two weeks in September, Compass will be accepting Project Leader applications. After that, we'll begin accepting applications for team members. Our Project Launch, on the evening of October 5, provides an opportunity for prospective volunteers to meet our clients and Project Leaders. If you've never attended a Compass Project Launch, it's not to be missed. The energy and excitement in the room are hard to match.

 

At Compass, we need Project Leaders, just as we need Team Members and Project Advisors. All of these roles - these titles - ensure a successful year for our clients. So, no matter which title you want, I hope you'll join us. Like my kitchen at home, there's always room for one more person to help out.

 

Warm regards,

 

Suzanne

PROJECT LEADER APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 13

Compass is seeking MBA graduates from top business schools to lead pro bono consulting projects for the amazing nonprofits listed below.If you want to have a personal impact on the broader community, Compass offers a substantive, intellectual experience addressing the unique challenges facing a particular nonprofit.  

 

Use your business skills and personal talents to make a valuable contribution to some of Washington's most dynamic and deserving nonprofits. Project Leader applications are due September 13. Applications are available here:

 

 Project Leader Application 

VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE SOON 

Compass will begin accepting applications for team members on September 12. Applications will be available on the Compass website at www.compassdc.org.

 

Preference for volunteers goes to MBA graduates from top business schools, however, Compass also accepts non-MBA volunteers, with preference going to those with consulting or nonprofit experience. 

MEET THE CLIENTS  

The short descriptions that follow hardly do justice to the work of these amazing nonprofits. Please visit our website at  Client List for more details about each client and the specific project they have requested, or join us at the Project Launch on October 5 to meet the clients in person. Evites for the Project Launch will be sent shortly.

 

ADVENTURE THEATRE

Glen Echo, MD

www.adventuretheatre.org

Adventure Theatre offers professional theatrical productions, classes, workshops and camps.

 

ALEXANDRIA SEAPORT FOUNDATION

Arlington, VA

www.alexandriaseaport.org

The Alexandria Seaport Foundation works with at-risk youth ages 17-23, who become apprentices in boat building.

 

ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY (AHCMC)

Silver Spring, MD

www.creativemoco.com

The AHCMC provides professional development and marketing services to nearly 125 nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County.

 

THE BARKER FOUNDATION

Bethesda, MD

www.barkerfoundation.org

The Barker Foundation serves all members of the adoption circle including birth parents, adopted persons, adopted parents, and anyone else whose life is touched by adoption.

 

THE BLACK STUDENT FUND

Washington, DC

www.blackstudentfund.org

The Black Student Fund puts underprivileged students in grades K-12 in the most challenging academic environments, and supports these students academically as well as socially.

 

C�SAR CH�VEZ PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS                                                                    Washington, DC                  

www.chavezschools.org

The C�sar Ch�vez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy provide a high quality public school option for young people residing in DC's most impoverished and underserved communities.

 

CITY FIRST ENTERPRISES

Washington, DC

www.cfenterprises.org

City First Enterprises leverages private capital sources to drive investment in underserved areas of DC, developing innovative, market-oriented solutions that expand opportunity and create stability for low- and moderate-income families.  

 

CLARICE SMITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

College Park, MD

www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

As part of UMD, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center  serves more than 100,000 people each year with a robust mix of performances and services. 

 

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL

Washington, DC

www.cisnationscapital.org

Communities in Schools of the Nation's Capital serves six schools located in Wards 5 and 8 in the District, and focuses on improving disadvantaged children's grades, attendance and graduation rates for elementary through high school.

 

DANCE EXCHANGE

Takoma Park, MD

www.danceexchange.org

Dance Exchange is an intergenerational dance lab dedicated to multiple artistic voices and dances, manifested in company performances and workshops offered to both professional dancers and novices

 

ELSIE WHITLOW STOKES PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL     

Washington, DC

www.ewstokes.org

The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School prepares 320 culturally diverse elementary school students in the District of Columbia to be leaders, scholars and responsible citizens who are committed to social justice.

 

FACETS CARES

Fairfax, VA

www.facetscares.org

FACETS Cares is considered a key participant in Fairfax County's efforts to eradicate homelessness by housing the homeless and offering programs around life and career skills for their beneficiaries, education programs for kids in transition, and veterans support.

 

HOMESTRETCH

Falls Church, VA

www.homestretch-inc.org

Homestretch provides housing and support services (basic education, job training, ESL, financial literacy, transportation, and childcare) to homeless families to help them attain self-sufficiency.

 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS

Washington, DC

http://communications.howard.edu/

The School of Communications maintains an education environment conductive to the highest level of excellence, provides an educational competence grounded in ethics, academic freedom, the pursuit of knowledge, a commitment to social advocacy and justice, and a responsibility for leadership.

 

IONA SENIOR SERVICES

Washington, DC

www.iona.org

Iona's mission is to support people as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging.

 

KID POWER

Washington, DC

www.kidpowerdc.org

Kid Power is a civics-based organization that provides academic, artistic, nutritional, and service-learning opportunities for youth in under-served neighborhoods in DC.

 

MAIN STREET CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Fairfax, VA

www.mainstreetdc.org

Main Street provides a quality, accredited early childhood learning program so children of limited income working families can grow and thrive in a nurturing environment.

 

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

College Park, MD

www.nhd.org

National History Day seeks to teach essential historical literacy that motivates students to secure the future of democracy.

 

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S COTTAGE

Washington, DC

www.preservationnation.org; www.lincolncottage.org

President Lincoln's Cottage preserves and interprets President Lincoln's seasonal retreat to engage the public in an exploration of Lincoln the leader and the private man.

 

PERRY SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER

Washington, DC

www.perryschool.org

The Perry School Community Services Center provides a wide range of programs and services aimed at eradicating poverty in the Ward 6/NOMA neighborhood. 

 

ROSEMOUNT CENTER

Washington, DC

www.rosemountcenter.com

Rosemount Center provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support services for 350+  families in a bilingual multicultural setting.

 

SIGNATURE THEATRE

Arlington, VA

www.signature-theatre.org

Signature Theatre is a professional theater company dedicated to producing contemporary musicals and plays, reinventing classic musicals, developing new work, and reaching its community through education and outreach.

 

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE

Lanham, MD

www.VOAchesapeake.org

Volunteers of America Chesapeake is dedicated to "inspire self reliance, dignity and hope" through 26 programs in five areas of health and human services including permanent housing, emergency shelter and mental health treatment services.

 

THE WASHINGTON BALLET

Washington, DC

www.washingtonballet.org

The Washington Ballet presents classical and contemporary ballet programs through its performing companies, and has an extensive community engagement program in Southeast Washington and through several DC public elementary schools.

 

WEAVE (WASHINGTON EMPOWERED AGAINST VIOLENCE)

Washington, DC

www.weaveincorp.org

WEAVE supports victims of domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.

 

THE WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE

Washington, DC

www.womenscollective.org

The Women's Collective meets the needs of women, girls, and their families living with, or at-risk for, HIV/AIDS & STDs.

 

WONDERS CHILD CARE

Chevy Chase, MD

http://www.wonderschildcare.org

Wonders Child Care is one of the largest, nonprofit child care organizations in Montgomery County and DC.  

COMPASS TURNS 10!

CELEBRATE WITH US ON 11.11.11


Compass celebrates its 10th anniversary this fall. We hope our current and past clients, volunteers and supporters will join us on November 11 at the Long View Gallery in downtown Washington for a cocktail party honoring Compass founder Melissa Williams, and the many people who have made Compass such an important and integral part of DC's nonprofit community.  

 

Invitations will be mailed in late September. However, you can purchase tickets now or get more information by clicking on the image below.

 

10th Anniv 

  

10TH ANNIVERSARY CORPORATE SPONSORS

We greatly appreciate that the following companies and firms have already committed as corporate sponsors for Compass' 10th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit.

 

Booz Allen Hamilton

Capital One

Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman

Raymond James

Howard University

 

Corporate sponsorships for Compass' 10th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit are available now! Compass offers several sponsorship levels and associated benefits to companies and firms supporting our 10th Anniversary event.

If you or your company would like more information about sponsorships, please contact Compass' Executive Director, Suzanne Laporte at [email protected] or (202) 459-6291. 
INCREASE OUR IMPACT - DONATE TO COMPASS
Donations from individuals, companies, and foundations make it possible for Compass to bring 250 business professionals into the nonprofit sector each year. You can donate to Compass to support and expand our impact by clicking the Donate Now button below, or on the home page of our website at www.compassdc.org.

Just Give

STAY IN TOUCH WITH COMPASS

Facebook. Compass' Facebook group is titled "Compass Volunteer Facebook Group". (If you just type in "Compass," you will not find us.) Please join our volunteer Facebook group and take a look at some pictures and videos from past events, stay updated through our wall, and contribute to our existing discussions.

 

Find us on Facebook 

 

Twitter. Compass is also a Tweeter! We have a Twitter page where we will occasionally send out brief messages. 

 

Follow us on Twitter 

 

LinkedIn. Please join Compass' group page on LinkedIn called "Compass Volunteer Network." This is a great way to stay connected to Compass' many volunteers.

 

Compass also has a company page on LinkedIn called "Compass DC". If you are a volunteer, feel free to add "Volunteer Consultant for the __________ Project at Compass DC"  


WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT
Compass' nonprofit clients benefit from the amazing volunteers who give their time, expertise and intellectual energy. We couldn't recruit these amazing volunteers without the support of the local business schools clubs.

A huge thank you to our Partner MBA Clubs that help spread the word about Compass.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The Harvard Business School
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
Columbia Graduate School of Business
Fuqua School of Business at Duke University
MIT School of Management
University of Michigan Ross School of Business
University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Yale School of Management

And a big thank you for the ongoing support from Booz Allen Hamilton.