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Helping Organizations Thrive 
May 2015 Edition
Welcome to my May 2015 email newsletter. 

The mission of Jonathan Poisner Strategic Consulting is to make the world a better place by helping mission-driven organizations thrive.  I do that by assisting my clients with strategic planning, campaign planning, coalition building, fundraising, communications, and other organizational development challenges.

To keep people informed about my work, I set up this monthly (mostly) e-newsletter.  If you want to unsubscribe, just look for the link at the bottom.   My most recent edition can be read in my archive.

For a complete lists of the consulting services I offer, check out my website.
What Works

Most editions of this newsletter contain a section I call "What Works." 

This edition contains one of my occasional Tip Sheets.  Tip Sheets are quick primers on specific topics that have come up repeatedly when working with clients. 

This Tip Sheet is on effective board recruitment. 

Board recruitment is often vexing to organizations.  One the one hand it's really important.  On the other hand, it's often not urgent. 

"Important, but not urgent" is a category of activities that organizations often neglect to their detriment.  Like with other activities that fit this description, making a plan and sticking to it is usually the best way to make sure you don't allow these activities to remain undone.

So you're ready to write a board recruitment plan.  The Tip Sheet primarily addresses two fundamental questions that a board recruitment plan should address:
  • Who do you recruit?
  • How do you recruit them?

Plus, it includes some bonus tips that defy categorization.  

 

Read the rest of the Board Recruitment Tip Sheet

Download the Tip Sheet as a PDF.
 
 
Recent Success Stories and New Clients

I am working in May and June with the Xerces Society to strengthen its board recruitment and governance. 

In late May, I'll be facilitating a convening of leadership of the Bus Federation and its seven affiliates. 

I'm in the final stages of working with Better Eugene-Springfield Transit (BEST) on a new strategic plan.  I'm currently assisting them with honing their fundraising based on the plan.

I am in the Focusing Phase of working with the Vancouver Waterrsheds Alliance to develop a strategic plan.  We're grappling with the research conducted to distill questions to be addressed at an early June planning retreat.

I am in the initial stages of working on a long-term project with the National Wildlife Refuge Association to provide fundraising training and coaching for its member organizations.. 

Along with Mary Fifield of Kaleidescope Consulting, I recently completed a six month engagement wih the YWCA of Greater Portland to develop fundraising and communications plans.

I also recently wrapped up a 6 month project with the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council to develop a new strategic plan. 

From May 14th-16th, I was in Annapolis attending the 19th annual conference of conservation voter movement.  That's 19 straight for me, but who's counting. 

On May 21st in Portland, I co-presented a free seminar with The Databank on the future of direct mail fundraising.  Hint: It's not dead. 

On June 17th at noon, I'll be leading a one-hour workshop entitled Effective Board Meetings at the Hatch in Portland.  (If the registration page is not yet live, check back soon and it will be).

Check out my website for a complete list of all my clients.
Recent Blog Entries

Note: I am actively looking for Guest Blog submissions.  If you have some thoughts to share on any aspect of organizational development, shoot me an email and we can discuss length, timing, etc.

Science Fiction and my Call to Service

The Power of Asking Good Questions

The BIggest Barrier to Effective Major Donor Fundraising

Guest Blog: How to Become a Thought Leader

Guest Blog:  How to Refresh your Brand

No Magic Words, but Themes Matter

A Goal is not an Activity

To Follow your Dreams, Learn to Say No

The Science behind Storytelling

Why you Lead Matters

A Blog about a Frog on a Log - Updated

Looking for one of my past blog entries on a particular topic?   I have now categorized my past blog entries.  Just go to my website and hover over the "blog" link on the navigation bar and you can see the topics and choose from among them. 
Contact Information
Jonathan Poisner Strategic Consulting
jonathan@poisner.com
phone: 503-490-1234
http://www.poisner.com


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