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!