I’ve been preaching for a long time that having a mentor isn’t enough to get you big dog status. The Washington Post has a great article that drives that point home. From the Washington Post:

Much ado has been made recently about the importance of sponsors, versus mentors, in the career advancement of women. Just this summer, Catalyst released a study, Sponsoring Women to Success , pointing to the fact that sponsorship may in fact be the single most critical strategy for accelerating a woman’s career.

So just what is the difference between a mentor and sponsor? Think of mentors as the friendly guides who dispense helpful information, offering up input and advice to mentees. Sponsors, on the other hand, are defined by their organizational clout and ability to open doors; they will personally advocate for a cause, project or promotion on a protégé’s behalf.

My life has taken a big turn from worklife balance to crazy tightrope of life. As always Rosetta Thurman has been able to put this feeling together in a beautiful blog post about how to start getting it back together. From Rosetta:

I probably don’t have to tell you just how many things are vying for our attention these days. Well, maybe I do. I have a point to make here. We’ve all got so much to do all the time that it seems to be getting harder to concentrate fully on everything we have to do in the first place. Couple that with technology and you have all the possibility that more opportunities, more networking, and more connections bring.  Alas, they also bring the little things.

You know, the little things that run counter to that “balanced life” we all seem to want to lead. Little things like email (we all get way too much), social media (it’s great, but who can really keep up with 12,000 people on Twitter?), long to-do lists at work and at home (where not much ever seems to really get “crossed off”), tedious meetings and conference calls (many of which seem unnecessary). All these little things add up to one big thing.

I’ve been putting off hiring another assistant ever since business slowed down for me late last year. But then what happens? All spring, all summer and now fall, my speaking and coaching schedule is heating up, and things are moving faster than I can keep up with them. I’m like the little tortoise trying to enjoy the race and the hare is just whizzing by, running around me in circles, taunting me with a full inbox, piled up voicemails and the red glare of unread Facebook updates.

Thing is, I suspect that I’m not alone. Everyone in my circle always seems so damn busy. (Or maybe I just need a new circle?) With the pace of technology, many of us seem to have gone way beyond that magic 150 number of people we can sanely keep track of in our mental rolodex.

Read the rest here.

There seem to be a common complaint among people that are frustrated with their organizations, it sounds something like this “my boss is an idiot” or “my organization is a mess, it is so hard to get things done”. I get the frustration but don’t get the common reaction, which is to continuously complain about the situation and not do anything about it. That’s where this great blog post from YNPN Detroit comes in handy. Learn how to become an organizational change agent. From YNPN Detroit:

As we look to transform our community, we often overlook the powerful role that we can play as change agents within our own organization. After all, if we work to ensure our organizations are more effective and just, we can help to boost their transformative impact.

But becoming an organizational change agent isn’t always easy. Here are some thoughts for how you can get started:

• Prove yourself. The leadership of your organization is not going to be interested in seeing you take on additional projects if you haven’t demonstrated success in the work you were hired to do. Make sure you are always delivering over and above on the work you’ve been assigned before you start exploring other opportunities to impact the organization.
• Start small. You might have a grand idea that would have a transformative impact on the organization’s work, but most likely that won’t be the first place you are able to exercise influence. Find areas where you can build up a number of small wins, so that you can earn the trust you need to tackle the big things.
• Find allies. Not everyone is interested in listening to the young “whipper snapper” who’s full of ideas. That means that some times you need to send your message through someone else. Find those folks in management who are most receptive to change, and let them carry your ideas forward. Better to see the change take place than to get the credit.

Read the rest here

The speakers for the Nonprofit Rockstar Leadership Intensive have been announced. The full list is below but let me just say how excited I am that these experts from the nonprofit sector, government, and philanthropy will be sharing their insights with the retreat participants. I’m even more excited that I will get to learn from their stories of leadership. More info about the retreat is at www.becomeanonprofitrockstar.com.

Rebecca Cokley | Director of Priority Placement for Public Engagement, White House Presidential Personnel Office

“Personal Branding for Career Advancement and Community Impact”

Rebecca is responsible for outreach to constituency communities to identify the most qualified candidates to fill political appointments across all agencies. She previously served as the Confidential Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education and has spent the last 15 years reaching out to marginalized and underrepresented communities. During the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Rebecca served on the leadership team of the Obama Disability Policy Committee. Rebecca has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California Santa Cruz and is an alumnus of the Education Policy Fellowship Program.

Robert Egger | Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen

“Authentic Leadership: What It Is, What It Looks Like and How He Does It”

Robert Egger is the Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen, the country’s first “community kitchen”, where food donated by hospitality businesses and farms is used to fuel a nationally recognized culinary arts job training program, where unemployed men and women learn marketable skills while donations are converted into balanced meals. Since opening in 1989, the Kitchen has produced over 23 million meals and helped 800 men and women gain full time employment. The Kitchen operates its own revenue generating business, Fresh Start Catering, as well as the Campus Kitchens Project, which coordinates similar recycling/meal programs in 30 college or high school based kitchens.

In Washington, Robert was the founding Chair of both the Mayor’s Commission on Nutrition and Street Sense, Washington’s “homeless” newspaper. He was also the Co-Convener of the first Nonprofit Congress, held in Washington DC in 2006.

Robert’s book on the non-profit sector, Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding For All, was released in 2004 by HarperCollins. It received the 2005 McAdam Prize for “Best Nonprofit Management Book” by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management.

Robert was included in the Non Profit Times list of the “50 Most Powerful and Influential” nonprofit leaders from 2006-2009. He was the recipient of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s 2007 “Lifetime Achievement” award and the 2004 James Beard Foundation “Humanitarian of the Year” award. He has been named an Oprah Angel, a Washingtonian of the Year, a Point of Light and one of the Ten Most Caring People in America, by the Caring Institute. He is also a 14-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Robert speaks throughout the country and internationally on the subjects of hunger, sustainability, nonprofit political engagement and social enterprise. He writes blogs and editorials to share his ideas about the nonprofit sector and the future of America.  To check out Robert’s most recent speaking schedule, blogs, and editorials, please visit www.robertegger.org.

Melissa Johnson | Executive Director of Neighborhood Funders Group

“Movin’ On Up: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Nonprofit Executive Director”

Melissa Johnson is the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Funders Group. Prior to NFG, Melissa served as the national field director for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.  With over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit  sector, she has served as a philanthropic consultant helping to seed giving circles, develop models of community philanthropy, and advising foundations on issues of social justice and racial equity. Melissa’s career in philanthropy began in her work with community foundations in her native state of North Carolina where she served as a program officer and other key roles in rural and urban grantmaking, funding collaboratives, and major community initiatives. Additionally, her prior work at the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits grounded her commitment to build nonprofit capacity and strengthen the sector as a whole.

She holds a B.A. in English and Sociology from Wake Forest University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a concentration on community practice and community development. Melissa’s voluntary service has spanned several organizations including Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, Guatemala Human Rights Campaign-USA, North Carolina’s Youth for Tomorrow (ncyt), NCNG Emerging Leaders Network, United Way of Greensboro, YWCA of Greensboro, Resource Generation, and the University of North Carolina’s School of Social Work Alumni Council.

Monisha Kapila | Founder and CEO of ProInspire

“Developing Valuable Expertise: Essential Skills for Nonprofit Managers”

Monisha founded ProInspire to address the gap between nonprofits that seek broader pools of talent, and business professionals who want to transition into the sector. Monisha brings 10 years of experience in the business and nonprofit sectors. Most recently she was a Senior Marketing Manager for Capital One Financial Corporation. Prior to Capital One, she was a Harvard Business School Leadership Fellow with ACCION International, a pioneer in the commercial approach to microfinance. Monisha has worked with a number of leading non-profit organizations throughout her career, including CARE, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, and the Clinton Foundation. She began her career as a consultant with Arthur Andersen.

Monisha has an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was recipient of the Dean’s Award, and a BBA with distinction from the University of Michigan. She received her Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University. Monisha is an Advisor to the Social Enterprise Program at American University and previously served as Vice Chair of the Board for the I Do Foundation.

The last 6 months have been a whirlwind. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing young professionals across the country as I have been touring for “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar“, the book was nominated for a  Terry McAdam Book Award, which has brought new visibility and years of relationship building on behalf of Headwaters has led to new collaborations and enhanced resources to do our work.

I am really excited about all of this wonderful things that are happening but when I had a second to breathe I was reminded that I need to plant seeds for the next harvest. All of these things have happened because of hard work and planning and the time to do that hard work is not when you are ready to do the next harvest. I will admit that it is hard to plan for the future when you are really enjoying the present but that is when it is the most critical.

That is why I am personally so excited about the Nonprofit Rockstar Leadership Intensive that is happening September 30 to October 2nd in Washington DC. We have nonprofit professionals from all over the country coming to plant the seeds for their next harvest and that sort of environment is what it will take for me to get my own house in order. Taking 3 days out of the year to plan for the future may feel like a luxury but it is a definite necessity if you want to be able to do your best work and increase your sense of purpose. I hope you join me there.

Register Now

I have been having a fabulous time traveling across the country on a book tour for How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar. I have met many great young professionals who are trying to figure out how to get the most out of their social sector tours. After each presentation or discussion with someone who is struggling with how to excel in their careers I wish I had more time to dig deep in the book’s content. Now I finally have that chance! Rosetta and I are hosting a Leadership Intensive September 30- October 2nd to help you move to the next level of nonprofit leadership. We will be limiting attendance to make sure that you get personalized attention and build relationships with the other participants. Act quickly if you want a spot!

REGISTER NOW

How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar: 50 Ways to Accelerate Your Nonprofit Career authors Rosetta Thurman and Trista Harris are hosting an exclusive leadership intensive in Washington, DC from September 30-October 2, 2011. This program will focus on helping nonprofit professionals strengthen their leadership skills to be able to serve their organizations and communities in a bigger, more meaningful way. Participants will learn how to develop expertise, build a strong network, establish a great personal brand, practice authentic leadership, plan for balance, and move up in their organizations.

Each attendee will leave the program with an individualized Action Plan for the next stage of professional growth. All who attend the intensive will experience and receive the following:

• A 30-day Action Plan that defines your immediate next steps for strengthening your leadership skills.
• A complimentary copy of Rosetta and Trista’s book How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar ($24.99 value) as well as the Nonprofit Rockstar Workbook ($10 value).
• Course material that will reinforce the ideas and principles learned at the retreat. You will learn how to excel in six essential  areas of personal and professional development.
• A fun and supportive environment to nurture your leadership skills and self-development. This will be an intimate group learning experience to ensure personalized attention.
• Insightful guest speakers such as top nonprofit leaders, subject matter experts and executive coaches.
• Small group discussions, activities, and workshops that will prepare and inspire you to lead at a higher level.
• Pre- and post-conference calls to ensure that participants fully maximize the leadership development experience.
• The beautiful surroundings of suburban Washington, DC during the fall. We will be staying at a relaxing retreat center that feels like it’s light years away from the hustle and bustle of downtown DC!

 We hope you will join us for this unique leadership development opportunity!

REGISTER NOW

To give a little context, I live in the lovely state of Minnesota. I live here because for 3 months Minnesota is one of the most glorious places in the world (National Geographic agrees). The other 9 months have me holed up, in front of the fireplace, dreaming of a warm breeze. So as I looked over my calendar for this month, I was surprised that I have completely booked the month of June with meeting after meeting in windowless conference rooms. If this doesn’t stop soon, it will be Fall and I’ll still be the color of printer paper. The solution is the summer bucket list. Thinking about all of the specific things that I want to do, will encourage me to actual schedule it and do it. I’d also like to hear your summer bucket list ideas in the comments.

1. Go to a drive-in movie

2. Strawberry picking at the end of June  We went to a farm by our house, it was one of those experiences where I will look back at the pictures and say “wow, we had such a great time”. The actual experience was filled with complaining children and the smell of manure. On the positive side, the stawberries were delicious and my kids could see that food actual grows somewhere.

3. Concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell

4. Comedy at the Park

5. Kayaking at Lake of the Isles and lunch at Tin Fish Restaurant

6. Twins Game (so what if I hate sports, I want to see the new stadium)

7. Uptown Art Fair- August 5-7

8. Izzy’s Ice Cream I was probably eating the ice cream before the post was complete. MMMM Izzy’s.

9. Minnesota State Fair

10. Wine tasting at Chateau St. Croix Vineyard This was so much fun, if you are in the Twin Cities look for their deals on Groupon and Crowdcut.

11. Visit Northern Minnesota, including a ride on the Alpine Rollercoaster at Spirit Mountain My hubby and I took a short vacation to Duluth and had a great time! I convinced him to go on the Alpine Rollercoaster and it was fabulous. Beautiful view the whole way down.

12. Visit Taylor’s Falls

I just received a press release that made my heart sing. I know that is rare but hear me out. Many nonprofit organizations and consulting firms complain that there are not enough young people with the skills and interest to lead the nonprofit sector. This is an example of a firm that is actually doing something by giving undergraduates the chance to do social change work at their firm. I think it’s a great example for all of us. From Frontline:

 In June, the philanthropic sector will be introduced to six undergraduates handpicked by the social change organization Frontline Solutions. The Hilliard P. Jenkins Undergraduate Fellowship Program, now in its second year, is an internship opportunity for students to receive practical training with senior staff at Frontline Solutions.
Aimed at aspiring professionals with a passion for the fields of social justice and entrepreneurship, the Hilliard P. Jenkins Fellowship Program is a venue to aid and learn from Frontline’s ongoing work of supporting foundations and nonprofits and the communities in which they serve. Through the summer internship, HPJ Fellows are placed at one of Frontline’s offices in Durham, NC, Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY. The students receive introductions to organizations in their base office and around the country, and receive professional development opportunities by working on a variety of high-impact projects. 
“Being a part of exposing students to the multiple facets of the social change sector is both fun and fundamental to our mission to invest in the pipeline of emerging social change leaders,’” says Frontline Senior Partner Marcus Littles. “Our work allows us to engage with policymakers, academicians, community leaders, organizers, grantmakers and entrepreneurs. We have been privileged the past couple of years to have the best and brightest students work along with us, and this year is no exception.”

The program is designed to expose fellows to the inner workings and strategy development of a start-up consulting firm in its sixth year of operation as well as the work of Frontline’s clients, such as W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Community Investment Network and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy.  Before the program ends in August, each fellow will take at least one Frontline-supported work trip and participate in multiple meetings with clients and community partners around the country. Read more about the HPJ Fellowship.

Frontline Solutions (helpingchangehappen.com) is a social change organization that invests in the pipeline of social change leaders; provides consulting services to institutions in the nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors; and engages in field-building in three areas of expertise: Education, Social Innovation, and Males of Color.

The fabulous Rosetta Thurman has a great post about The Voice of Nonprofit Talent Report. Diversity is critical to the sector but most reports dance around this idea. From Rosetta:

About a dozen people sent me the link to The Voice of Nonprofit Talent: Perceptions of Diversity in the Workplace, a new study produced by Commongood Careers and Level Playing Field Institute. I didn’t read it right away because honestly, most reports about diversity in the nonprofit sector pretty much say the same damn thing and are a total waste of funder’s money.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Nonprofit staff isn’t very diverse. Nonprofit boards aren’t very diverse. Nonprofits need more diversity. Nonprofits don’t know where to find people of color. Nonprofits can’t seem to attract young people. Or gay people. Blah blah blah. Whatevs.

But this study is a little different. Yes, the study focuses on ethnic and racial diversity in the nonprofit workplace, but it’s the first report I’ve seen that doesn’t focus on the fact that nonprofits are ruled by white people.

Instead, it examines the repercussions of what happens when organizations do nothing to change this reality.

Read the rest of this post here.

The winner of the Nonprofit Rockstar 6 month anniversary contest is Mary Migliorelli! Thanks for all of the entries and for making the book “How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar” a success.