FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE PEOPLE WHO COME INTO OUR LIVES 

Compass is in the gift giving business. Our official line is that we give strategic consulting services. The truth is that we give relationships. We make connections between people who have chosen different career paths - one corporate and one nonprofit. Relationships are formed here that last much longer than a single Compass project. One of last year's Compass clients recently spoke about how much she misses her team's leaders who would spend one (sometimes two) hours per week on the phone with her - every week - talking about whatever she needed to talk about. Sometimes the people who come into our lives bring something we don't know we are missing. Often we realize their full impact on our lives when they move on.

When my oldest son left for college this year, I expected some sign of sadness from his two brothers. Week after week passed, and surprisingly, they seemed to adjust without missing a beat. In early November, two months after the college drop-off, the brothers and I headed north to visit our college kid. I was so excited to see my son after two months apart, but unexpectedly I found myself competing for his attention. It turns out my youngest son couldn't get enough of his oldest brother. He sat next to him at meals and in the car, he walked next to him (and I mean closely next to him), and he asked him questions constantly. He was literally soaking him in. I could see it. Despite wishing for an opportunity to ask my own questions, I was pleased that the older brother had indeed been missed. I doubt my youngest son knew how much he missed having his brother around until he saw him.

I've said before that it's easier to say goodbye when you know a person is ready to leave. So it was with sadness, but also understanding, that I heard the news from Georgia Katinas that she will be leaving Compass for a new opportunity. We've been so lucky to enjoy her for the past three and a half years as our Associate Program Manager. She truly embodies Compass. She knows everyone and everything. We all rely on her, and will no doubt miss her terribly when she is gone. It has been a privilege to have her by my side and on my side these past few years. I share so many of Compass' accomplishments with her. We were a tight knit staff of two for many years. Maybe it's the nature of a small organization, where everyone has a very big role. Or maybe it's just Georgia, who fills any room with her warmth and charm.

Relationships get created in all kinds of ways. This fall, we watched our project teams begin their work with our nonprofit clients. By next June, friendships will have developed between Compass volunteers and the nonprofit leaders with whom they work. Little do our clients know that the best thing they will get from Compass isn't a Power Point or a written report. What will last longer are the relationships they make with their Compass volunteers. We see it every year. The wonderful part is that the benefits, of course, work both ways. Our volunteers cannot know now how they will be different after working closely for nine months with these inspiring nonprofits and the people who run them.

It's December. This is the time of year when we think about giving, and hopefully take time to reflect on the gifts in our life. There are many ways to look at it, but really the best gifts are the people who come into our lives. This holiday season, I wish for each of you to have many people in your life whom you will miss when they move on (because you know they will stay in touch) - and I hope many of these people are from Compass. I am personally grateful for the people who make Compass special - our Project Leaders and team members, our Advisory Board, our Junior Board and most importantly my Board of Directors. I am also grateful for the people who make Compass possible - our foundation supporters, corporate sponsors, and the many individuals who donate generously to Compass and understand our mission and our impact.

To all of you, a very happy holiday season, and a 2014 full of people who bring richness to your life. And to Georgia - you will be dearly missed!

Warmly,

Suzanne

JOIN COMPASS VOLUNTEERS AND GIVE TO COMPASS

Did you know that many Compass volunteers who are donating their time to local nonprofits also provide a financial contribution to Compass? So far this year, 117 volunteers have made financial contributions to support Compass. We couldn't provide our unique pro bono consulting program without the infrastructure and staff to carefully select, train and support our clients and volunteers.

In DC, Compass provides pro bono consulting projects from January until June for volunteers to work with nonprofits that have a budget between $400,000 and $750,000. These Micro Projects provide similar services to Compass' Classic Projects, but tend to be more focused and use smaller teams of volunteers. In January 2014, Compass will announce this year's Micro Project clients. If you're interested in volunteering on a Micro Project, please contact Compass. We will send you the list of clients in early January along with a link to the volunteer application. Or for more information on Micro Projects, please check the Compass website in early January at www.compassdc.org.

COMPASS HONORED BY UPO

COMPASS SEEKING ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER

NONPROFIT JOB LISTINGS

Compass posts nonprofit job openings on our website to support nonprofits seeking to find seasoned professionals. Current job opportunities include:

Parent Encouragement Program - Executive Director and Operations Director

Capital Partners for Education - Development Director

United Planning Organization - Communications and Community Relations Director

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County - Development Director

Youth Venture - Executive Director and Operations Coordinator

For more details on these jobs or to see new postings throughout the year, please go to Nonprofit Sector Jobs

If you know of other nonprofit job opportunities, we're happy to list them on our site as well. Please feel free to contact us!

HBS CLUB OF DC - SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SCHOLARSHIPS

In 2014, the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, D.C. will award two scholarships to the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM) program to leaders of local nonprofits. Greater Washington D.C. area nonprofit Executive Directors, CEOs and presidents responsible for shaping the direction, mission, policies and major programs of their organizations are candidates for the scholarship; each candidate should have at least one year of experience working in this role. The activities and focus of the organization should meet the needs of people in the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan community.

The intensive program will be held July 13-19, 2014 on the HBS campus in Boston, MA. Each scholarship covers program fees ($5,000) and reimbursement for up to $500 in travel expenses. Completed applications must be emailed no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2014 to hbsdcsocialenterprise@gmail.com. Scholarship winners will be notified by February 14, 2014. For more information and the application, go to www.hbsclubwdc.net/SPNM.