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6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair

By Melissa Lagowski CEO / Queen Bee / Founder Big Buzz Idea Group In thinking back to my first day as an Executive Director (E.D.), I realize now that the tone was set right there on day one. I met the Board President at my new office. He unlocked the door, handed me the key and said, “Have a nice day” as he left. There was no training, nobody to answer my questions. I don’t even know if I saw any of the board members between meetings (except, on occasion, for the Board member who owned the building where my...

Board Nominating: A Better Way

Board Nominating: A Better Way

By Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams Simply too many organizations think about bringing new people onto the board of directors as a last-minute activity. They wait until just before the Annual Meeting, have a few quick, quiet conversations about who has time and is willing to join the board for the next term. Those people say ‘yes,’ the names are hastily approved, and thus, the next year’s board of directors is born. And this story repeats itself, often with just...

Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times

Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Congrats on carefully selecting and approving new board members for your nonprofit organization! You have every reason to be excited about this ideal blend of leaders who are all passionate about your cause and ready to do great things. Cohesive leadership teams don’t just happen; they are the result of serious intention, and much of this work is the result of proper onboarding. Generally, your annual retreat brings new board members “up to speed” on the organization while providing a way for all members of the team to get to know...

6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members

6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group We regularly hear from nonprofits that their Board of Directors or certain members are not carrying their fair share of the weight. The biggest concern is leadership not delivering on their Board commitments and sometimes they aren’t even showing up to the organization’s events. But imagine the flipside: What if each Board member actively engaged with your organization? What if every Board member met their give-or-get requirements and took their fiduciary responsibilities more seriously? What if every Board member actively served and supported your nonprofit with shared vision and commitment toward...

Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?

Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?

By: Melissa Lagowski
CEO/Founder/Queen Bee of Big Buzz Idea Group

We all dream of a Board that wants to help move the mission outside of the Board Meeting. All too often, many Executive Directors share woeful stories of board members who barely show up for the meetings let alone support the organization in other ways. But lately, we have been hearing stories about boards and volunteers who are looking for ways to contribute in more meaningful ways. To maximize the willingness of leaders to support your nonprofit, it is important that you properly prepare for these opportunities.

Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit

Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit

By: Melissa Lagowski Founder, CEO and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group With Thanksgiving upon us, it seems like everyone is talking about gratitude. (To be fair, it’s always top of mind around here-gratitude is one of our core values at Big Buzz!) Is there anything better than feeling appreciated? For nonprofits, acknowledging the contributions of those people directly tied to your organization is important. A simple, inspirational gesture of appreciation cultivates a sense of community, generosity and support for your mission. WHO to Thank Think about all of the people who are a part of your organization. They keep...

Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?

Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?

By: Joan Garry Principal and Founder, Joan Garry Consulting  When my wife ran The Food Network, she often got 911 calls during Thanksgiving week. “Eileen, do you brine your turkey?”   “What’s your favorite stuffing recipe?”   It was actually hilarious. Eileen is a very good cook mind you but she would respond to all callers the same way. “I am not a chef; I make TV shows.” As for me, I get more than my fair share of 911 calls. Some folks expect me to be an accountant, a human resources professional and oh my, lots of folks ask me...

Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture

Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture

By: Rena Henderson Founder and CEO, Bold Agenda  After hanging up the phone, I realized that this was the third time in one week that an Executive Director or Board Chair described to me the same problem. My client left another uninspired and unfocused board meeting and complained of the malaise on his board:  poor attendance at meetings, missed fundraising goals, board meetings that were not focused or goal-oriented, and a certain few board members dominating the discussion. He was frustrated because he knew they could not bring new board members in, nor close their increasing deficit with half of...

Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven

Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven

By: Denise Dahl, MPA Founder & Principal, Epiphany Planning & Development Nonprofit Leadership & Strategy   One of the most common questions I receive is “How do I get my board to do more?” The answer is easy, but the implementation can be a bit more challenging as board members each come with their own motivation regarding serving. Maybe they are serving as the cause is dear to them. Maybe they are serving because they feel a type of ownership (founder’s syndrome). Maybe they are serving to build their resume. Reasons to serve on a board are as varied as...

New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members

New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members

By: Gail Perry President, Gail Perry Associates Philanthropy Consultants   It’s the New Year – and it’s a great time to make smart resolutions for the future! This post is a perennial favorite with my readers – I’ve updated it for this year. Here are some ideas for nonprofit board members – to help everyone get started on the right foot for the year and keep on track as we launch into the new year. You might find that these ideas will open up some interesting discussions – about expectations, attitudes and actions needed from ALL board members.   How...

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Insights Blog Archive

  • Outsourcing: The Only Solution To Staffing Shortages
  • Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up
  • Why Nonprofits Need to Evaluate Their Budgets Every Year
  • The Benefits of Outsourcing
  • 6 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in the Workplace
  • Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I
  • How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona
  • Leadership Starts with You
  • Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu
  • Never Overlook the Value of Gratitude
  • Spend Less. Do More. Your Guide to Effective Outsourcing
  • 5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace
  • 3 Reasons Why Your Organization Should Use Canva
  • Four Tactics to Resolve Nonprofit Staffing Shortages
  • The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics
  • Are You Leaving Money On The Table?
  • Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic
  • Grateful for Nonprofit Leaders
  • Four Pillars to Attracting and Retaining Ideal Employees
  • Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue
  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Nonprofit Event Venues 101
  • Lessons Learned in Nonprofit Management
  • Financial Planning for Uncertain Times
  • How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Meet Goals
  • 6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members
  • Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services
  • Why Your Nonprofit Needs Brand Guidelines
  • Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads
  • 7 Tips for Managing Hybrid Events
  • Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?
  • Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth
  • Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven
  • To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation
  • Networking for Personal and Professional Growth
  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand
  • Post-Pandemic Event Lessons
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit
  • Innovative Approach to Volunteer Recruitment
  • Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s Story
  • Board Nominating: A Better Way
  • Please Send a Hi-res Copy of Your Logo
  • Boost Your Daily Productivity
  • Meet Big Buzz, the Creators of Ribfest Chicago
  • 2020: A Lesson in Gratitude
  • Chart a Path for Nonprofit Success
  • Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19
  • Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: Creating Impressions for Impact
  • Take Time to Evaluate Your Events
  • How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Thinking
  • 5 Secrets to Streamlining Your Administrative Tasks
  • Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!
  • Why Identifying and Communicating Your Core Values Is Important
  • Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams
  • Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?
  • 3 Tips For Maintaining Your NPO’s Digital Assets
  • Budgeting for Your Nonprofit in Uncertain Times
  • Talk to Me! Prioritizing Internal Communications During Times of Transition
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II
  • Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World
  • How to Secure Mega Sponsorships For Your Fundraising Event!
  • Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns
  • 11 Tips to Make Your Newsletter More Readable
  • Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls
  • A Job Gone Wrong
  • 4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value
  • Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing
  • Celebrate You and Avoid Nonprofit Burnout
  • Something Good: Building Your Team’s Connection
  • 4 Productivity Tips to Elevate Your Nonprofit
  • Why Is My Organization Not Growing?
  • 6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair
  • Client Spotlight: Illinois Theatre Association
  • Holding On When You Feel Like Throwing In the Towel
  • Client Spotlight: Hope For The Day
  • Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy
  • The Birth of a New Vision
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: To Package or Not to Package
  • Want To Retain Your Employees? Wellness in the Workplace Matters!
  • Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit
  • How To Secure More Donor Dollars
  • Is Your Marketing Missing the Mark?
  • Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?
  • Keep Your Mission in Mind to Maximize Results
  • How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status
  • Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)
  • The Compelling Case to Renew
  • If You’re Feeling Hopeless of Late, Remember That Your Work Matters and You Do, Too
  • Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?
  • Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming
  • 3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Self-Care: A Necessity for Successful Leadership
  • Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit Yields Powerful Opportunity
  • Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture
  • The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser
  • DIY Event Photos
  • Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth
  • 9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference
  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Instead of Rely on Volunteers
  • Interim Directors Provide Strength in Times of Transition
  • Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve
  • Tips to Ensure Event Safety
  • 50 Content Promotion Tactics: How to Drive Traffic to Your Next Article
  • New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
  • Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?
  • Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant
  • Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In
  • Goal-Setting For Successful Events
  • Cross-Train Your Team for Better Outcomes
  • Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization
  • 5 Ways to Generate Sponsor Leads
  • Tips for Virtual Event Success
  • How to Hire a Consultant
  • The Taxman Cometh (Yes, Even For Your Exempt Organization)
  • Making a Case for Strategic Planning
  • Optimize Your Contact List for Nonprofit Growth
  • 10 Tips to Cultivate Sponsor Relationships
  • Re-Imagine the Possibilities to Better Serve Your Mission
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?
  • Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization
  • The Need to Go Beyond Surveys

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  • 773.804.8589
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