Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Category: Audio Downloads

  • Who Is Serving Whom?

    Fund raising can twist two ways. For some it feels like the annoying child whining for your limited time while you’re trying to focus on more important things. For others it is the insidious demon that has somehow possessed your soul without you even realizing it, and all you do and see is related to money.

    Helpful may be to ask, “Who is serving whom here?

    Money has its place, a reality we have acknowledged in an earlier entry. But its place is not the primary place. When you feel like you’re serving the money demands of your organization instead of money serving the world-changing goals of your organization, it is time to realign and/or get some help.

    Find creative ways to keep money and fund-raising in your service. Funds are a vital and necessary tool to have in the arsenal. But we want to be able to choose how we leverage its power on behalf of our cause. When we can no longer choose, we are no longer in charge.

    Who is serving whom?

    If you haven’t heard this week’s interview with Rodney Walker, then be sure to click on the player in the right column and enjoy!

  • Drowning in $ Desperation

    At the other extreme, there are those for whom the reality of funding their non-profit enterprise is an all-consuming responsibility.

    Like a hungry beast always prowling for its next meal, these leaders see others through the eyes of donation potential. Everyone becomes financial prey, so to speak. We can feel it too. And as a result we take evasive action to protect ourselves.

    The heart-breaker here is that these leaders are no longer passionately involved in the cause for which they are raising the money. Their focus has been diverted by the need for funds. The need is real. But the response is out of balance. Like a drowning swimmer who panics trying to get air, they pull down the would-be rescuer with them.

    Our plans for ensuring we have enough oxygen, need to include tools for staying in touch with our original passion. How do you keep fund raising in perspective?

    Be sure to hear the podcast interview series!

  • Money = Oxygen?

    Oxygen. Interesting word to use when talking about money.

    It forces a reality check for the non-profit. Rodney’s insight in this week’s podcast interview is that there is no avoiding, getting around, or wishing away the simple fact that no enterprise, even a not-for-profit one, can function without funds.

    Many non-profit leaders look down on, or are simply annoyed by, money, fund-raising, and the capitalistic context of our work. All power to them on their convictions, but unless they find a way to pay their staff, pay their rent, buy supplies, postage, computers, etc. etc., they will be out looking for a new job themselves.

    What is your view of the role of money in the non-profit? How do you keep fund-raising in perspective?

    Listen in.

  • Listen In -> Non-Profit Challenges #2: Never Enough Money

    Many choose non-profit work because they’re not interested in chasing the almighty dollar. Then they wake up one morning and realize they’re chasing it more than ever as a non-profit.

    In my conversation this week with Rodney Walker of Walker & Associates, we tackle the money demon. Listen in. I think you’ll find our discussion helpful.

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  • Me, A Tyrant?

    Some non-profit directors want the hands and the hearts of a board, but not so much their brains. (Continuing our discussion of this week’s interview with Rodney Walker.)

    We love the funds they raise, the connections they provide, and the muscle they bring to our projects. But when it comes to our own accountability to perform or soliciting input on core values and strategic direction, we too often give our boards the straight-arm treatment.

    Especially if we founded the non-profit, it can feel horrible when the circle of support closest to us disagrees or pushes back.

    What might an appropriate posture of humility, respect and collaboration look like that does not involve betraying our passion or leadership responsibility? Think with me.

  • How Did We End Up Here?

    One of my key take-aways from this week’s interview with Rodney Walker is the value of defining roles from the beginning of a work relationship.

    In the case of non-profits, directors recruit a board for a variety of reasons: fund raising potential, public endorsement and reputation, access to their network of connections, among others. Not always considered is what role these board members will play in the on-going operation of the enterprise.

    Here’s the deal. Once you’re hooked on a board member’s value as a fund raiser and/or a connection maker, it’s almost impossible to tell them to back off when you find out that they feel part of their role is to tell you how to lead the organization.

    Better to define at the beginning of the relationship what the role looks like, than find yourselves resenting, resisting or avoiding your own key supporters!

    What have you done to clarify board member roles and responsibilities?

  • Listen In -> The Challenge of Non-Profits with Rodney Walker

    My good friend and admired entrepreneur, Rodney Walker, talks with me for the next four weeks about the challenges facing non-profit enterprises.

    This was an interesting series for me, because non-profits don’t (and can’t) function like for-profit companies. We will delve into:

    1. Unhealthy Board/Director Dynamics (the current recording)
    2. There’s Never Enough Money
    3. Can You Measure Success?
    4. Working with Volunteers

    Let us know one of your board versus director challenges!

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  • PodcastPost! “Enterprising Teams 5: A Bias Towards Action”

    We conclude our series on Enterprising Teams² with the assertion that a bias towards action characterizes thriving teams. Listen here and join the conversation.

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  • PodcastPost! “Enterprising Teams 4: Learning to Learn”

    The final characteristic of enterprising teams that we explore is lifelong learning. Enterprising teams are always learning. Competence isn’t marked by the end of learning, but the beginning.

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    A learning stance removes the need for posturing. It’s a waste of energy to pretend to possess a level of knowledge that you don’t have in order to impress or substantiate your rank.

  • PodcastPost “Enterprising Teams 3: Communicating Seemlessly”

    Communication, or the lack of it, is a use (or abuse) of power. The sharing or withholding of information, decisions, and/or recent developments will make the difference between a team that merely works in proximity to each other and one who vibrantly collaborates to win the day.

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    Not just talk, but interaction that connects, shares and coordinates.