Success Begins Inside Your Organization
Any organization is only as strong and successful as the strength of its internal structure, systems and procedures. While much of my experience comes from the nonprofit world, most of the same principles apply across the board, from for-profit corporations to governmental agencies.
Holding 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS provides an organization with significant rights and privileges. However, maintaining that status requires adhering to a variety of legal standards and requirements. In a worst-case scenario, failure to operate within these mandates can cause an organization to lose its nonprofit status, and even be subject to financial penalties.
Further, all nonprofits are best able to carry out their missions and serve their constituents when they establish and consistently adhere to well-defined policies, protocols and practices. The absence of these internal guidelines can lead to inefficiency, waste, unintentional mismanagement, loss of financial support, and in the worst situations, corruption, theft, and board member liabilities.
Of course, strong leadership and a strong team — with well-defined roles and responsibilities — are equally vital to organizational success. When good people work within a good structure, good things happen.
I served as Executive Director of the Committee for a Better New Orleans from 2004 through 2020. In this role, I was responsible for all aspects of organizational management, including finances and fundraising, personnel management, compliance, programs, board and partner relationships, and general operations. In addition, I have helped found multiple other nonprofit organizations over a period of more than thirty years, including preparing bylaws and helping to obtain 501(c)3 status from the IRS for several of them.
Regardless of your organizational goals, structure or priorities, I can assist you in creating the strongest possible base for sustainability and success.
Specific Areas of Organizational Expertise
Within the context of overall management consultation, some specific services I frequently provide include the following.
Situational Analysis: using tools like Power Mapping and SWOT Analysis, I work with key internal personnel, and often external stakeholders, to help organizations understand their challenges and opportunities; establish and prioritize their objectives; and develop/refine strategies to maximize achievement.
Leadership Development: this can include everything from building internal leadership skills to guiding external personnel searches.
Policy and Procedure Development: strong organizations simply must have formal protocols to guide their operations. I can review and help update existing policies and procedures; identify potential gaps; create new policies as needed; and work with staff and leadership to implement all guidelines successfully.
Strategic and/or Programmatic Planning: sometimes it is important to step back and review the bigger picture, for an entire organization or for major programs. I have extensive experience on both fronts, including the design and launch of major new initiatives as well as comprehensive strategic review and planning.
Policy and Advocacy: as part of their mission and objectives, many organizations seek to make changes in public policy. I have worked on every step of this process, and can help analyze existing public policy, draft new or revised policies, and develop and advise advocacy campaigns, all within IRS lobbying guidelines.
