Strategic Guidance. Stronger Nonprofits.
In This Issue
Project Leader Applications
Project Launch Event
Meet the 2015-16 Clients
Social Enterprise Conference
Compass Welcomes New Faces
Join Our List
2015-16 Clients
Greater Washington

A Wider Circle

Accokeek Foundation and Alice Ferguson Foundation

Arc of Northern Virginia

Capital Fringe

Charge Up Collaborative

Cornerstone Montgomery

DC Central Kitchen

District Alliance for Safe
Housing

Equal Rights Center

Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital

Girls on the Run of Montgomery County, MD

Green Door

Joe's Movement Emporium

Lab School of Washington

Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities

Miriam's Kitchen

Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless

Next Step Public Charter School

Our Daily Bread

Our Military Kids

Reading Partners

Signature Theatre

Sixth & I

SOME

Theatre Lab

Veterans on the Rise

Greater Philadelphia

After School Activities Partnerships

Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly

Delaware Valley Green Building Council

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Main Line Art Center

North Light Community Center

Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse

Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians

West Oak Lane Charter School

Women Organized Against Rape

Vol. 12, No. 3
September 2015
FROM THE PRESIDENT


GETTING OFF AUTOPILOT
 
I recently had a tough day. A phone call at work unexpectedly went badly. I felt defensive, as well as surprised. I knew I should have responded better and kicked myself all the way home for not doing so. I got home late and found my dog waiting for food and a walk, so I went right into autopilot mode. I fed the dog, changed clothes while he ate, and headed out for a walk as soon as we both had finished. But I couldn't stop my mind from going back to that call and what I should have said instead.
 
My dog and I walked and walked, while I thought and replayed, and then bam! I stopped short and realized that my dog had walked into a parked car. I started to laugh and cry at the same time. Maybe his hair was in his eyes, maybe I was walking too fast. I tried to quickly figure out how this had happened as I knelt to apologize, pet him, and make sure he was okay. He was okay, but I was not. I felt terrible, and I realized as we walked more slowly home that sometimes it is hard to get off autopilot.
 
We live very busy lives, worrying about all the things that are important - our jobs, our spouses, our children, our roommates, friends, dates, family, money, homes, schedules, making the green light, getting the reservation at that new restaurant, wondering why the mail is delivered so late. 

For a break from autopilot, there is nothing better than volunteering with Compass. We have just announced an amazing list of nonprofit clients for this year. (See client list below!) We are recruiting Project Leaders, and will open our team member application on September 4. Whether things are going smoothly or not, it's a good time to volunteer with Compass. Your eyes will be opened when you see how other people experience the world.
 
On a Compass project, you'll first find out how nonprofits work, because you'll work closely with your client's Executive Director and board, who face challenges most companies can't imagine. Then you'll dig a little deeper and you'll realize why that ED does what he or she does. You'll see the kids needing a safe place after school, the adults who want to read so they can get a job, the artists seeking to lift up those who appreciate their art, the homeless who need a meal, and the families trying to stay together. These people will change your life. They will ground you and make you smile as you marvel at their resilience and joy despite the hardships. They will turn off the autopilot where you sometimes find yourself, despite your best efforts.
 
One of last year's volunteers recently emailed me asking about this year's volunteer application. He said, "Volunteering with Compass was a life changing experience and I cannot wait to do it again." I encourage you to consider sharing your gifts, your knowledge of the business world - and your time - with the nonprofits in this community where you live.
 
In my case, I came off autopilot because of my dog. When I got home after that walk, I went back to some work I had waiting for me. When I looked up later, there he was, lying beside my chair - none the worse for the wear, and not having given up on me yet. There's so much to see and experience when you get off autopilot. I highly recommend it. Compass can help.
 
Warmly,
 
Suzanne

PROJECT LEADER APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 9

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.  

 

Project Leaders spend, on average, two to five hours per week on the Compass project. Project Leaders work closely with the nonprofit Executive Director and Board Chair, and manage a team of volunteer consultants to execute the work.

 

Project Leader applications are available here:

 

 Project Leader Application - Greater Washington 

MEET THIS YEAR'S CLIENTS ON OCTOBER 6
Join us for Compass' annual Project Launch! 

Tuesday, October 6
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The National Press Club

Prospective volunteers are invited to meet this year's clients and Project Leaders. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP via Eventbrite here.

COMPASS ANNOUNCES THE 2015-16 CLIENTS

The short descriptions that follow hardly do justice to the work of these amazing nonprofits. For more details about each client and the specific project they have requested, click here: Client Roster, and join us at Compass' Project Launch on October 6 to meet the clients in-person.

 

A WIDER CIRCLE (Bethesda, MD)
A Wider Circle works to alleviate poverty by providing basic need items, education and job preparedness support. 
Strategic Alignment
 
ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION and ALICE FERGUSON FOUNDATION (Accokeek, MD)
The Accokeek Foundation and the Alice Ferguson Foundation have missions to cultivate the natural and cultural heritage of Piscataway Park. Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
 
ARC OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (Falls Church, VA)
The Arc of Northern Virginia promotes and protects the human rights of people with developmental disabilities. Strategic Marketing
 
CAPITAL FRINGE (Washington, DC)
Capital Fringe presents the work of innovative performing artists and creates outlets for experimental performance. 
Board Development
 
CHARGE UP COLLABORATIVE (Washington, DC)
The Charge Up Collaborative raises awareness of the importance of capacity building for nonprofits and provides access to capacity building resources. Strategic Alignment
 
CORNERSTONE MONTGOMERY (Bethesda, MD)
Cornerstone Montgomery empowers people living with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders to integrate successfully in the community. 
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

DC CENTRAL KITCHEN (Washington, DC)
DC Central Kitchen combats hunger by turning leftover food into healthy meals for at-risk children and adults, while offering culinary training and jobs. 
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
 
DISTRICT ALLIANCE FOR SAFE HOUSING (Washington, DC)
DASH provides access to safe housing and services for survivors of domestic violence and their families. 
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
 
EQUAL RIGHTS CENTER (Washington, DC)
The Equal Rights Center advances civil rights in housing, employment and access to public accommodations. 
Strategic Alignment
 
GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL (Washington, DC)
The Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital works to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Funding Strategy
 
GIRLS ON THE RUN OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD (Rockville, MD)
Girls on the Run's mission is to educate and prepare young girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. 
Strategic Alignment
 
GREEN DOOR (Washington, DC)
Green Door helps men and women living with severe and persistent mental illness to lead independent and productive lives. Strategic Alignment
 
JOE'S MOVEMENT EMPORIUM (Mount Rainier, MD)
Joe's Movement Emporium promotes the practice and preservation of world performance traditions with an emphasis on dance and movement. Strategic Alignment

LAB SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON (Washington, DC)
The Lab School of Washington serves students with language-based learning disabilities and ADHD. 
Strategic Planning (Year 1)
 
MARRIOTT FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (Bethesda, MD)
The Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities' centerpiece program, Bridges from School to Work, engages employers, schools, community resources, youth and families to provide employment to young people with disabilities. Funding Strategy
 
MIRIAM'S KITCHEN (Washington, DC)
Miriam's Kitchen aims to end homelessness by effecting systems change, and provides case management to chronically homeless individuals. Strategic Marketing
 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS (Rockville, MD)
MCCH is a housing development organization, which creates permanent housing solutions for formerly homeless individuals and families in Montgomery County. Funding Strategy
 
NEXT STEP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL 
(Washington, DC)
Next Step Public Charter School seeks to provide students ages 16-24 who are not supported in traditional high schools with the opportunity to continue their education. 
Strategic Planning (Year 1)
 
OUR DAILY BREAD (Fairfax, VA)
Our Daily Bread provides Fairfax County residents in need with short-term safety net services and empowers them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency. Board Development
 
OUR MILITARY KIDS (McLean, VA)
Our Military Kids provides support to military children of the National Guard and Reserves, as well as wounded warriors from all branches of service. Board Development

READING PARTNERS (Washington, DC)
Reading Partners' mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering community volunteers to provide individualized instruction. Strategic Marketing
 
SIGNATURE THEATRE (Arlington, VA)
Signature Theatre is a Tony Award�-winning theater that produces contemporary, classic, and new musicals and plays. Strategic Alignment
 
SIXTH & I (Washington, DC)
Sixth & I offers the DC community a mix of high-impact cultural and social programs. The Sixth & I Authors, Speakers, and Live Entertainment series targets a diverse multi-generational audience. Strategic Alignment
 
SOME (SO OTHERS MIGHT EAT) (Washington, DC)
SOME helps the poor and homeless in DC with food, clothing, and health care, and strives to break the cycle of poverty. Strategic Marketing
 
THE THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS (Washington, DC)
Theatre Lab's mission is to transform lives through theatre education. Strategic Marketing
 
VETERANS ON THE RISE (Washington, DC)
The mission of Veterans on the Rise is to end homelessness in veterans and veteran families. Funding Strategy

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CONFERENCE
Compass is pleased to announce the first annual Social Enterprise Conference for nonprofit Executive Directors, in conjunction with the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, DC.
 
Please join us for this year's event, "The Art of Negotiation," led by Professor Michael Wheeler of the Negotiation, Markets, and Organizations Unit at Harvard Business School.
 
On the afternoon of
Thursday, November 12, 2015
 
Invitations and details to follow
 
Professor Wheeler will conduct an interactive workshop for nonprofit leaders on "Creating (and Claiming) Value," followed by a talk and negotiation exercise on "Improvising Agreement in a Chaotic World." An optional evening lecture and reception with HBS Club members provide ample opportunities for networking.
 
Please contact Anne Hefter at [email protected] with any questions.

NEW FACES AT COMPASS
Compass welcomes two new people on our staff.
 
Nalini Rogers joined Compass in April as the Program Manager for On Board. She has been an active board member or chair of local education and nonprofit organizations for over 18 years. Nalini currently serves as President of the Board of Horizons Greater Washington, and prior to that, served as Chair of the Board of Norwood School. Her other Board positions and nonprofit/educational involvements include The Family Place, The Women's Board of the American Heart Association, The University of Virginia's Jefferson Scholars Foundation, Stone Ridge School, and Enablis. Nalini has volunteered on two Compass projects, Youth Build Public Charter School and the Washington Literacy Center. Her work with the On Board Program supports her interests in supporting local organizations through strong leadership and board development. She received her MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and her BA from Dickinson College.
 
Nathalie Miraval recently joined Compass as Assistant Program Manager. Prior to Compass, Nathalie worked at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Cambridge, MA. During her time there, she assisted in collections management and the digitization of archaeological maps for Copan, a Mayan archaeological site in Honduras. Nathalie spent the summer of 2013 interning for the Latino Cultures Program at the Denver Art Museum. Nathalie has also dedicated several summers to interning for publications, ranging from The Courier-Journal in Louisville, KY to The Riviera Times in Nice, France. Nathalie graduated from Harvard University in 2014 with a degree in the History of Art and Architecture and a minor in Ethnicity, Migration, and Rights.

INCREASE YOUR IMPACT - DONATE TO COMPASS
Every $1 donated to Compass translates to $14 of consulting services to local nonproits. Donations from individuals, companies, and foundations make it possible for Compass to bring over 400 business professionals into more than 70 nonprofits each year. You can donate to Compass to support and expand our impact - and yours - by clicking the Donate Now button below.

Donate Now  
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 school 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
Columbia Business School
Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Harvard Business School 
Michigan Ross School of Business
MIT Sloan School of Management
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management 
NYU Stern School of Business
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
University of Virginia Darden School of Business 
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
Yale School of Management

And a big thank you for the ongoing corporate support from

Booz Allen 


Arnold and Porter

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