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From Martin J:
The year in review
The defining moment of 2008 for me was the auto executives in their private jets flying to Washington DC to ask for a financial bail-out for the car industry. Probably on reflection not the wisest of images for them. Perhaps driving there in their own cars would have been better?
The image reminded me of how much we truly undervalue the not-for-profit sector.
Delivering extensive services on the smell of an oily rag, our sector is usually overlooked because our work is often done quietly behind the scenes (delivering meals, educating people, comforting, supporting, rescuing, feeding). Of the four million plus not-for-profits in Australia, NZ, the USA and UK, how many will have been heard of? We don't fly on corporate jets, get interviewed on talk shows, or get quoted on our concerns about the economy and environment.
Yet this sector is relied upon by as many millions of people as the motor vehicle industry.
To our not-for-profit colleagues and partners, we salute you. We know what you do because we work with you. We understand what you do because we have watched you do it! We have listened to you outline your dreams and hopes for your clients, mission and issues.
We have most appreciated your approbation of us as we have helped you hone your mission, build your strategy, develop your policy, review your programs, better equip your volunteers and improve your impact. The pay-off has been for our clients: more funding, more volunteers, happier staff (employees and volunteers), increased sales through their charity/thrift shops.
Finally, we appreciate your support of us and our team. From all of us we wish you all the very best for your 2009. |
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Welcome Martin!
People First -Total Solutions would like to send our thanks for your support last year and our best wishes for 2009. We'll continue to bring you the latest news in the community and not-for-profit sectors.
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Effective people: Online social networks
 Recently Facebook--growing at around 300,000 to 400,000 active
users per day--reached 140 million users. Of that number, about nine per cent access it daily.
Female networkers are younger, while male users are older according to information recently released by Pipl Statistics. This may reflect the way these different demographics use the internet; younger males possibly use online game networks rather than solely social ones, while older women seem to be less computer-literate than the rest of the population.
How can your organisation make use of online social networks to keep in touch with your current volunteers or attract new recruits? Many companies have signfinat social networking strategies but have yet to find a way to make money from them. Just as many people have hundreds of "friends" online but remain lonely offline, social networking sites are not an automatic means to gain donors, volunteers or support.
Jayne Cravens from Coyote Communications urges not-for-profits to
ensure that their online activity turns into "offline" results; an important
message to consider as organisations build their online communities. What is the ROI (Return On Investment) of your social networking?
Because this is a new tool, we want to know if you are seeing results from online social networking and what strategies worked for you. Please email People First -Total Solutions to share your success with others in the sector.
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Better organisations: Can't see the wood for trees
 The wisdom of this ancient proverb (first recorded in the 16th century, and probably far older) is often true of volunteer organisations. It's a common refrain, and no less true for being repeated frequently, that "our volunteers are our most important assets".
But knowing that and acting as though it is true are two different things. While your mental focus is on the volunteers--that is, the trees--it's important to have one eye on the bigger picture: what it is that keeps those trees healthy and alive. This is often the managerial support of the volunteers, and if you're not employing effective forest rangers and giving them appropriate equipment, their work will be ineffective.
Tony Goodrow, of Volunteer˛, puts it this way: "If we are going to tell volunteers that they are important to the
organization... then the organization ought to actually treat
them as important."
In 2008, People First -Total Solutions launched our Volunteer Program assessments. These comprehensive surveys have been giving organisations the direction and tools to best maintain their wood AND trees. We liken it to an aerial survey of your forest.
In 2009, why not consider investing in your own Volunteer Program Analysis?
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Stronger society: Leadership by degrees
 Generation Y's sense of social and global responsibility may be behind a 30 per cent increase in university-level leadership and management courses with a nonprofit focus.
NSW Fire Brigades' Chief Superintendent Mark Whybro, Director of the not-for-profit Association of Professional Communications Organisations Australasia was heartened by the idea of purpose-designed nonprofit management degrees, having recently completed a Masters degree in Business and Technology.
"One accounting assignment was particularly frustrating," he recalls. "We were supposed to do a spreadsheet of our program's costs and come up with a profit analysis. I had to keep reminding my teachers that in my industry, we don't expect to make money, we expect to save lives, and you can't put that in your bottom line."
Having tertiary-level qualifications in skills such as fundraising, nonprofit ethics and law and volunteer management can only help newcomers to the sector, looking to replace the current batch of Baby Boomer executives (whose retirement rate is expected to peak in 2011, global financial crisis notwithstanding).
People First -Total Solutions can provide training in volunteer management for present and future leaders. Visit our website for details on our training.
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Company news
Happy new year!
People First -Total Solutions is rapidly filling its 2009 training.
- USA/Canada: Apr/May/Jun/Sep 2009
- New Zealand: Feb/Jun/Sep 2009
- UK/Europe: Jul/Aug 2009
- Australia: Jan to Dec, 2009
Check out our training scores and costs here. Book now for these dates and others.
Advanced Volunteer Management Retreat,
March 11-13, 2009
Now 70 per cent full! "COMMON
GOALS, DIFFERENT ROLES: Finding our place in Volunteer Management" is the theme of this year's VPM retreat on the Gold Coast of Queensland. Places are filling fast, so visit the website for more information or download an application form.
People First -Total Solutions charity support in 2009
In addition to offering reduced fees and pro bono support, we also financially support two organisations committed to the education and development of young people. First Book is a US-based literacy program that aims to bring books to low-income homes. Through The Smith Family we also financially support a 14-year-old student from a disadvantaged background to complete their education and improve their opportunities and chances in life.
140 trees planted
People First -Total Solutions this month donated $508.20 to Geenfleet to offset 110% of the emissions generated by our air and car travel.
2008 newsletters now on the web
Want to reread an article from a past newsletter, or catch up on one that you missed? Our past newsletters are now available on our website.
Facebook
People First -Total Solutions now has a Facebook page. Become a "fan" of us and a Facebook friend with Martin J Cowling. Check out our photos from training in Singapore and the USA.
Strategic Planning 2009
People First -Total Solutions can
help you determine your organisation's goals and develop a workable
mission statement as part of our One Page Strategic Plan! Click here or contact us by email or telephone for more information.
A job well done
Kerrie Spinks hands over documents to Knox Infolink President Pat Peterken. People First -Total Solutions rewrote Knox policies, board documentation and provided governance training. Knox said, "the outcomes were exactly what was needed in our organisation at this time". Knox Infolink liked our "businesslike manner and understanding of our type of community organisation, along with an easy-to-approach manner." |
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Your say
"Just wanted to thank you again for giving your time to Geelong yesterday. I'm delighted with the response... Your presentation was spot on."
Gail R Rodgers, Manager, Volunteering Geelong, Australia
"Thank you for your enthusiastic and knowledgeable presentation at the workshop. I took away quite a few ideas that I intend to implement at my centre over time."
Don Hewitt, Coordinator - Eildon Visitor Information Centre, Australia
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