Make Your Job More Meaningful

From the HBR:

“Work is a financial necessity for almost everyone, along with the sacrifices work sometimes demands. It can be drudgery. But work also can be fun and exciting. The competition can be energizing. Work can be an important and positive part of our lives. 

People with a “jobs” mindset are working for the money and contain their time at work. All of the people I’ve known with this attitude tend to be dissatisfied, finding little meaning in what they do. They also are generally looking for something new. Careerists work for advancement, pay, and prestige. I’ve seen careerists with widely different levels of happiness and satisfaction. If they think they’re “winning,” they’re happy. But others are concerned they’re not advancing at the pace they want, or they’re not in the role they deserve. While not entirely dissatisfied, they often wonder whether they’re being treated fairly or if there’s something better.  But people with callings are different. They see their work as a positive end in itself. They feel good about what they’re doing. They give more to their work. They get more from it. And here’s a secret about people with callings: Not only are they happy and fulfilled, they’re often very successful, sometimes bringing financial rewards.”

Click here to read full post

Free nonprofit webinars for May 2012

From Wild Apricot:

Here’s the link for the list for May from Wild Apricot   A sample of webinars on offer also listed below.  Enjoy

 Building Real Teams: A Leadership Perspective Wednesday, 2 May 2012 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Eastern)

Implementing truly effective teams is more difficult than often considered. This Nonprofit Webinars session will offer a realistic and practical look at how an organization’s leaders can foster successful teams. The challenges of team-building are central to leadership in general, including: clarifying vision and purpose, taking a whole-systems view, facilitating constructive interaction, motivating performance, assessing progress, and skillful problem-solving.   

Introduction to Fundraising Planning  Thursday, 3 May 2012 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern)

 Learn a basic planning process for diversifying your organization’s support. A successful nonprofit organization has diversified funding streams. If your organization has never developed a fundraising plan or calendar, this Foundation Center session is for you. It provides an overview of the process of strategically thinking through the components of a fundraising plan.  

 Managing Difficult Volunteer Transitions Tuesday, 15 May 2012 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern)

 What do you do when it’s time to ask a volunteer to leave your organization? This VolunteerMatch webinar will give you the tools to address challenges around difficult volunteers, volunteers aging in place, and suggestions to minimize these situations in the future. Suggestions for determining when a volunteer should be terminated, and making it easier on you, other volunteers, and staff will be presented. And, the role that risk management plays in these decisions will also be included.

 How to Manage Nonprofit Executive Transition Thursday, 17 May 2012 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM (Eastern)

 It’s a pivotal moment for the nonprofit sector as Baby Boomers retire in record numbers, nonprofit chief executives among them. Yes, it could happen to your nonprofit through retirement or unexpected events, such as new job opportunities, illness, or life changes.

 Qualified and experienced leaders aren’t easy to find and, therefore, leadership transitions must be planned and carried out more thoughtfully than ever. Boards often rush to fill an executive vacancy without thinking about how the change can be leveraged to benefit the organization. Skilled, intentionally managed transitions strengthen organizations and equip them to recruit and retain strong leaders for the future.

 Editorial Calendar Essentials:  Organize and Plan Your Online Communications Wednesday, 23 May 2012 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern)

 An editorial calendar is an essential tool for any communicator. Learn how to use an editorial calendar to organize, plan and track your online (and offline) content!

 Click here to view full list