NPO Advocacy Tips

I served in the non-profit sector for nearly 10 years and am heavily involved in politics. That being said, it is no surprise to me that many of my clients are NPO's seeking effective advocacy training for staff and volunteers.

I have developed this training with an emphasis on feedback I have received from legislators & their experiences in meeting with effective, and sadly, not-so-effective, constituents and coalitions.

A Few Advocacy Tips For Your NPO:

1. No one has more influence with a legislator than a voting constituent. So please be registered to vote. And, while legislators can't access information as to how you have voted in years past, they can access information as to how often you have gone to the polls.

2. Be specific & brief (using bill #'s when applicable).

3. Be a reliable and trusted source of information. Do not misrepresent the facts.

4. Don't tell the legislator how to vote on a bill, rather, explain how a vote will affect the issue and the legislator's constituency.

5. Be in touch with your legislator year-round...not only during the session.

6. Remember, YOU are the 'face' of the issue and your organization.

7. Follow up with a thank you note.

For more information, or to schedule an advocacy training for your organization, visit www.donnamariawalker.com

Employees Leave Bosses...Not Jobs

The top 2 needs of every employee in every sector (for-profit, non-profit, government):

1. What's my job?
2. How am I doing?

Managers must clearly communicate expectations and give employees the training and tools needed to effectively do their jobs.

Feedback, recognition and appreciation are the most cost-effective way to retain employees.

Turnover is expensive.

Contact me today to schedule your in-office training.

Dysfunctional Workplaces

Organizations can only be as healthy and functional as the people who run them.

Be willing to evaluate your organization objectively:
1. Do you see individual sacrifices for the collective good?

2. Do you enact those values you espouse?

3. Do employees have the tools and technology needed to be effective in the competitive marketplace?


In the New Year, I plan to spotlight a workplace of the week. Please email me to nominate your business.

A Recovering American Christmas Card

To the many wonderful people in our community who sent Christmas cards to "A Recovering American Soldier," to no avail, I'm pleased to let you know that the Red Cross is offering hope to resuscitate your good will!

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Check out:
www.americasupportsyou.org

Don't Agonize. Capitalize.

Effective leaders are also effective learners. These people actively seek information and are willing to constantly reevaluate their thoughts and actions and reinvent themselves for the collective benefit.

Change is not intimidating to effective leaders because it is a natural consequence of the re-evaluative process.

Sometimes change is difficult because many people are sympathetic to, and impacted by, the negative energy of other people.

I recently read the following quote by Kahlil Gibran:
“I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strangely, I am ungrateful to these teachers.”

I couldn't disagree more.

Use the experiences gained from the talkative, intolerant & unkind people in your life to be a richer person...in every sense of the word!

I prefer this quote by Hunter S. Thompson:
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

Inspiration Powered by Kari & Kijsa

In December, Kari and Kijsa (www.kariandkijsa.com)will show folks 25 different ways to re-think ONE iron basket. Oddly enough, this idea has inspired me to rethink business and politics.

When we have new ideas, let us use them for new conversations filled with new strategies about existing assets and then create new ways to use these assets.

Issues ranging from immigration to energy can only be solved through technology, innovation and leadership. Relying on litigation, regulation and taxation for answers will only leave us in poorer in every sense of the word.

"Quote O' the Day" on www.kariandkijsa.com:
"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."
George Bernard Shaw

Sounds good to me Kari and Kijsa!
Keep on!

Fundraising in the Non-Profit Sector

"The Ask" is the common denominator of all successful fundraisers. And even if you'd rather put a lit cigarette out in your eye than ask someone for money, you can still be a highly effective fundraiser.

Remember the mission of your organization and go from there.
No mission, no money. No money, no mission.

One of the most common mistakes most non-profits make at the grassroots level is mismanagement of their human and financial equity. This translates into reduced trust, damaged reputation, and unfortunately, reduced donations.

Some Tips:
1. Strategically recruit and posture volunteers & staff in your organization with
the precision of a diamond cutter. Do not fill spots on committees for the sake
of doing so.

2. Measure performance.

3. Benchmark progress.

4. Report progress to volunteers and donors on a regular basis.

5. Hold everyone accountable(and I mean everyone).
Although volunteers can't technically be 'fired' as they aren't paid, they
can be 'reassigned' or you may need to 'sunset' their responsibilities as
needed.

Here's to your mission AND your money in 2008!

To arrange an in-service fundraising seminar or to learn more, contact me at www.donnamariawalker.com


Suggested Reading: The New Global Brands: Managing Non-Government Organizations in the 21st Century, by John A. Quelch and Nathalie Laidler-Kylander

Hiccups, Hemmorages, and Hemmorhoids

Hiccups
Sudden, involuntary contractions.
We have all endured professional (and personal) 'hiccups.' For example, saying or wearing the wrong thing, sending an inappropriate email, etc. The key is to honestly evaluate yourself, take a moment, that sip of water and a couple of deep breaths. Tomorrow is a new day.

Hemorrhages
Loss of blood from circulatory system. Can occur internally or externally.

You can leave your job long before you resign.

Hemorrhoids
Excessive pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area.

While hemorrhoids in the literal health sense, rarely cause death, I can say with total confidence, that PITA's (my acronym for Pains in the ...)can cause health problems through chronic stress, fatigue, anger and interpersonal factors that can manifest if we do not effectively 'treat' the illness through effective and appropriate communication in the workplace.

For more information, contact me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com

Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership.
A great New Year's Resolution for every manager in 2008.

After reading more about servant leadership, a few questions remained. Specifically,..."How can a leader who is focused on meeting the individual needs of employees also focus on moving an entire organization forward?"

So, I asked one of my favorite 'servant leaders' and professors, Dr. Steve Cox, Chairman of the Department of Organizational Communication in the College of Business and Public Affairs at Murray State University. Here's what he had to say:

"I see the servant leader as someone who truly sees themselves as the "human resource developer"...much like the farmer who "serves" the crops and livestock so they grow, the servant leader is specifically devoted to recognizing the ever changing needs of individuals and finds ways to align those needs with the evolving vision of the organization.

They want people to grow-up with the organization or to outgrow the organization and become transplanted elsewhere so they can bloom. Both must evolve...the organization cannot stay the same and have people develop. The people cannot stay the same and the organization survive...it must be a symbiotic relationship and the servant leader serves to accelerate this dynamic process.

Challenging organizational ideologies to facilitate individual growth and open up organizational opportunity is how servant leaders serve others. It is not to challenge ideology to create chaos or to be culturally and socially "whatever makes you feel good, do it"...it's not about anarchy. Rather, they fight the good fight to achieve liberation and democratization freeing the individual to do the good work of advancing mutually beneficial individual and collective goals...to contribute to something far bigger and more significant than ourselves.

The contributions that make us most satisfied and self-actualized are those that contribute to the common good and welfare of others. Those who pursue selfish goals for selfish gain to only hoard their gains become painfully isolated...every selfish person from Ebenezer Scrooge to Britney Spears proves this.

The conflict that arises through selfish leadership is due to actions that communicate "it is all about the organization"...that is "shut up and go along"..."conformity to orders is loyalty to the organization"..."shape-up or ship-out." This is where we make people feel like cogs...like they don't really mater. However, the servant leader says change is necessary because of you...not in spite of you. The servant leader seeks to put others first...they care enough to assist, support, and discipline/train those around them and question structures/ideologies that undermine freedom for the good of others.

They are both brave and humble servants. People know the servant leader "cares"...that is why they are pushing individual growth, addressing individual needs, and leading organizational development. These servant leaders serve others by encouraging constant growth and development; their actions set others up for success by recognizing and responding to the needs of others. Overall, the most vital acts of servanthood is to challenge the ideologies that privilege the organization's need for coordination and control at the expense of individual development.

The servant leader challenges and persuades individuals to see their place in contributing to the future of the organization....but says, "It won't be easy, but it will help you meet your goals. I know you can do it...and I'm here to help" and then lives it out. Therefore, change is exciting and engaging because the members understand the "why" behind the "what" (content) of the change...and the "why" for the servant leader is because "it is all about the people."

Thanks Dr. Cox! For more information about classes in the Dept. of Organizational Communication, contact steve.cox@murraystate.edu. MSU offers evening/weekend courses in Paducah!

Holiday Survey Results

When employers were asked how they plan to reward employees this holiday season, here's what they had to say:

Office Party-39%
Cash Bonus-42%
Food-5%
Gift/Gift Certificate-10%
Time Off-4%
Other-0%

(49 individuals from various employers in the western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri region participated in this study. Employers ranged from manufacturing facilities employing 100+ employees to small business owners with less than 25 employees).

Christmas Bonuses Should Be A Pleasant Surprise!

Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season that's for sure, but so does a glass of wine, friends, family and dusting off your copy of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

If you've always given employees Christmas bonuses in the past, but difficult financial circumstances have substantiated changes for this year, be open and honest with employees about those changes.

To maintain morale, perhaps you could offer the gift of time during the 2008 fiscal year in lieu of a lump sum check. Allow employees an extra week of paid vacation or agree to more personal days.


Regardless of what you decide, unless you want someone's "Cousin Eddie" at your door this Christmas Eve, you may want to reconsider that "Jelly of the Month Club" membership.

If you are a Paducah employer, I want to hear from you. Let me know your plans for rewarding employees this holiday season:
1. Cash
2. Food
3. Party
4. Retail Gift Certificate/Gift
5. Time Off
6. Other (please specify)


Email me at:
dmw@donnamariawalker.com

Brown Water Blues

One of the best parts about my job, has to be the candid office questions and comments I receive via email from folks from all over the country...and world!

One seemingly trivial topic that has come up FIVE times this month has been 'terrible office coffee,' of all things! Now, I am a brown water junkie, a sympathizer, and I want to help. So, let's address this once and for all because life is too short.

Print it, Drink it, Love it.

Here is a fool proof recipe to brew the perfect pot of coffee:

Begin with a quality coffee
(but you don't have to get snooty about it...even Maxwell House and Folgers now offer acceptable choices...however, my favorite is Starbucks Breakfast Blend--it's mild).

One level Tablespoon of coffee per one cup of of cool, clean, filtered water(or, another neat trick, if you always make 8 cups of coffee, use 1/2 measuring cup each time).

Company's spend so much money putting their logos outside the mug, so why not spend a little extra on what goes on the inside? After all, that's what counts and your staff and clients are worth it.

If you would like your logo on the perfect coffee mug (which make GREAT corporate holiday gifts, so order now!), I've always had great experiences with Rene Advertising Specialties, Inc. For more information contact Robyn Shapiro at www.reneadvertising.com

Happy Brewing!
www.donnamariawalker.com

Save Face On Facebook

People of all ages and occupations use social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. Corporations are utilizing these resources to recruit talent, sell products, and conduct background checks on potential employees.

With that in mind, remember:
If you are looking for a job, don't put something online that may keep you from getting an interview. If you've got a job, don't put something online that may get you fired.

This is a particularly important information for parents to share with their teens who may be applying for that competitive summer internship or for students preparing to graduate from college.

For more information, visit my website at www.donnamariawalker.com

Prioritizing...it's as easy as A-B-C!

I have noticed certain attributes among highly effective (and also highly productive)leaders whom I admire. Here's just one example:

1. Leaders can easily distinguish "issues" from "non-issues"
2. "Non-issues" (or petty matters) are generally ignored
3. Substantive "issues" are prioritized according to their level of importance. These "issues" are aggressively and systematically attacked beginning with the issue of greatest relative importance.

So, how can we be more effective managers of our time?
It's as easy as A-B-C!

Create manageable lists of 10-20 tasks you have to accomplish at work (separate lists can be made for home/personal).

Next, letter those tasks according to level of importance (A= URGENT), (B=Important to complete within a specific time frame), and (C=Priority to complete but without a timeframe).

Let me know how it goes. I hope this is helpful information. To schedule a free 1-hour appointment, contact me today!
dmw@donnamariawalker.com

Know better. Do better.

Cheers for Chao!

On October 4, 2007, U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao will be speaking at the Power in Partnership Breakfast sponsored by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.

My company is dedicated to helping organizations achieve higher levels of personal and professional satisfaction through training and development. Thanks in part to the great leadership of Secretary Chao, the American economy is strong and unemployment is low. Let’s all support Secretary Chao as she continues to carry out the mission of the Department of Labor to promote and protect the health, safety, retirement security, and competitiveness of our nation’s workforce.

Did You Know That Secretary Chao:
 Is the recipient of 28 honorary doctoral degrees
 Is the Nation’s first Asian-American woman to be appointed to a U.S. President’s cabinet
 Is the first Kentuckian to be named to the President’s cabinet since 1945
 Has provided leadership to achieve the first major update of union financial disclosure regulations, which provided ‘rank and file’ union members with the information they deserve regarding how their hard-earned dues are spent
 Has served as CEO of the United Way of America, Director of the Peace Corps, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, and Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

For more information on training and development, visit my website at www.donnamariawalker.com

For more information on labor, visit the Department of Labor at www.dol.gov and the Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov

To make a reservation for the Power in Partnership Breakfast, contact the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce at 443.1746.

Don't Be That Boss

Congrats! You've been promoted to a leadership position in your organization. Now, you've been asked to inspire and ignite enthusiasm in people while maintaining total coordination and control among everyone throughout the organization. In the back of your mind you're thinking, "I CAN do this and I WANT to do this...but HOW do I do this?"

Research states that everyone at some point in his or her life achieves the Peter Principle. This is a concept originated by Laurence Peter which states, "In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence." Moreover, Peter contests, "in time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties."

The key is, to learn as much as you can, do the best job that you can, help people everyday to feel good about work they are doing, hopefully continue to make good money as you learn, and when you finally have this job figured out and are at the top of your game, you'll be promoted to an even higher position with additional responsibilities you have never performed before, and the process will begin anew!

Sound stressful? Well, don't fear(and certainly don't quit)! You can do this. You can learn how to facilitate effective communication within your organization, perform effective employee appraisals, and be a stellar manager!

Contact me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com...and remember, "Don't be that boss!"

Know better. Do better.

www.donnamariawalker.com

Suggested Readings for the Fall

Autumn is sweeping into the region, and in case you're looking for some great reads with regard to business leadership, you may want to check out the following:

"Crazy Bosses" by Stanley Bing
Bing has written many great books, and his latest entitled "Crazy Bosses" is no exception! Stanley Bing gives a witty account of the relationship between insanity and the power of authority.

"Sun Tzu was a Sissy: Conquer Your Enemies, Promote Your Friends, and Wage the Real Art of War" by Stanley Bing

"Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work," by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare.

Contact me today at dmw@donnamariawalker.com for all of your training and development needs! And remember, don't be that boss.

Donna-Maria Walker, MS

Benefits of Corporate Hunting Trips

In most cases, guns in the workplace are bad! No doubt about that. But what about arming your coworkers with the tools they will need to be more productive and profitable in the workplace by arranging a corporate hunting trip? Such trips are gaining in popularity. So, what's all the buzz about?

For years, the corporate golf scramble has been a fashionable way for employees to get together in the off hours. Living in Kentucky, we have access to world-class hunting, and this is luring many offices off of the greens and into the woods!

In my research, I have stumbled across many anthropological studies which attempt to explain the phenomenon, including a study linking hunters to higher reproductive success! However, for the purpose of this blog, I am interested in linking employers to higher productive success!

Corporate hunting trips promote teambuilding, problem solving skills, trust, and socialization with coworkers in an unplugged environment.

Turnover is costly. It's no secret that turnover costs an employer 1.5 times an employees salary to replace him/her. And, in most cases, people leave bosses, not jobs. Interpersonal interaction affects the office climate and vice versa. So, employers are wise to invest in teambuilding exercises...and a hunting trip might be a good option! And, several upscale lodges exist to cater to the corporate client. A hot shower, a hot toddy, and a hot breakfast...sounds great to me!

For more information regarding licenses, seasons, regulations and more, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website at http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/

For more information on teambuilding, leadership, or other training, visit my website at www.donnamariawalker.com or email me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com!

Netiquette

As our economy becomes more globalized, we rely heavily on technology for communication purposes with employers, colleagues, clients, and prospective employers. But, before you hit send, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. The computer is the property of your employer, including your email correspondence and Internet usage.

2. Many employers solicit resumes online through various job seeker websites. If you are applying for a job online, select an appropriate username. That is, do not use a cute username or a suggestive username. Doing so will reduce your chances for an interview.

3. WHEN YOU USE ALL CAPS, THE READER PERCEIVES THIS AS SHOUTING!

4. Always use the spellcheck feature.

5. Just the facts, ma'am. Avoid lengthy emails but also do not leave out important information.

For more tips or to schedule a 'Netiquette" training for your office or organization, contact me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com!

www.donnamariawalker.com
Donna-Maria Walker, MS, LLC

Leadership is a Transferable Commodity

"Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Want to sharpen your leadership skills but can't afford extensive leadership training and development from a personal coach or consultant?

BE A MENTOR!

Were you fortunate enough to have a mentor at any point in your life? If so, I'm confident that your mentor actively and consciously decided that you were worth his or her time. This was not an accidental relationship.

Leadership is a transferable commodity. Regardless of where you are in your personal or professional life, someone could benefit from your time and expertise.

Let me know how it goes. I look forward to your feedback!

dmw@donnamariawalker.com
or
www.donnamariawalker.com

Why Diversity Training? Why Not!

The complexion of organizations has changed dramatically over the last century. We no longer work primarily with and for our families on the farm or in the family business/store. As many of us are very aware, we do not have the opportunity to choose who we work with. Diversity includes, but is not limited to: age, race, gender, sexual orientation, demographic background, etc. Discrimination can be informal and pervasive. In order to create workforce diversification, we must change the organizational culture (i.e., the assumptions, communications and values that exist among employees).

And, while there are many variables that separate us,it is imperative that we focus on those variables that bring us together in today's globalized economy.
Not doing so, could bruise relationships in the workplace or even land an employer in court.

Some tips:

1. Establish organizational diversity policies
2. Review these policies/hold formal trainings with staff/volunteers
3. Ensure performance appraisals are standardized and are equally applied to all
4. Be consistent with evaluations and suggestions for improvement

For more information or to schedule a diversity training for your organization, contact me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com!

Meeting Managment Tips

Okay, let's face it. We've all endured some pretty horrible meetings, right? Here are some tips for you to use to improve your next meeting.

1. Send out the agenda(s) in advance

2. DON'T WASTE TIME and don't allow others to waste time

3. Encourage positive confrontation of problems

4. Focus on and be tough on the problems, not the people

5. Take turns running meetings. Delegate responsibility so others may feel
included and take ownership of the information and the meetings

6. Meetings should include both reporting and discussion. This will vary the
pace of the meeting and help people feel included

If you would like to learn more tips for how to run an excellent meeting, or if you would like to let me know how these tips have helped you in your life, email me at dmw@donnamariawalker.com

Healthy Workplaces Are My Passion

Healthy workplaces are my passion. We spend more time at work than we do with our families...so, why not make our workplaces as enjoyable as possible? My work as a consultant allows me to assist individuals and organizations in their pursuit of excellence. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please take a moment to visit my website at
www.donnamariawalker.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Donna-Maria Walker, MS, LLC