Arkana Laboratories’ Post

🦋 Could You Be Our Next Vice President or Secretary? 🦋 The Mourning Forecast is looking for two compassionate and organized individuals to join our Board of Directors in two distinct roles: Vice President and Secretary. If you’re passionate about supporting families through grief and loss, one of these roles might be the perfect opportunity for you! Why Join Us? As Vice President or Secretary, you’ll play a key role in shaping our mission and ensuring smooth operations. Our team, united by personal experiences with loss, is driven by empathy and a commitment to making a tangible difference. What You’ll Gain: •Personal Fulfillment: Contribute to a meaningful cause. •Collaboration: Work with a supportive team. •Impact: Help us reach and support more families in need. Interested? If either of these roles resonates with you, or if you know someone who might be a great fit, message us or email mourning.forecast@gmail.com. Let’s make a difference together. #JoinOurBoard #NonprofitLeadership #GriefSupport #TheMourningForecast

The first board I chaired was not something I sought out. At my first ever meeting after being elected no one wanted to take on the chair role. There had been substantial conflict in the past few years (and quite a bit of legal costs) and none of my ten colleagues wanted to have to deal with it. So, while being both the newest and youngest member of the board, in just my mid-20s and in only my second board role, I took on the job. In my four years as chair I learned a lot and we brought in a lot of change, including updating all the organization’s policies and writing several new ones, implementing the first ever strategic plan, and hiring three executive directors, with the latter still there after 15+ years. We faced novel conflict of interest challenges, organizational growth, a major budget crunch, and some infighting. I also had to deal with much older colleagues who tried to undermine my work and it was a confidence building experience to stand up for myself and throw my weight around as the unanimously elected chair when no one else stood up. What was your first board chair role? Did you have similar challenges? #boardofdirectors #nonprofit

What are your goals as a grant manager?? The cliché, choose your career based on your passion, cab be annoying 😑 in fact, I've found it excessively corny on many occasions. Because "passion" doesn't pa pay the bills. However, I've found myself switching careers, which I admit is a privilege, because I don't have many responsibilities yet. Most times, the underlying factor was "how do I feel here" As a Grant manager, from my first experience writing proposals, to handling everything proposal related, I remember feeling really happy, and warm. I felt like I was "doing something worthwhile". Today, my KPIs may still be daunting, but I'm excited to meet them. From grant funding secured, to grant funding retention rate, and fund return on investment. Setting these goals, meeting some and failing at a few 😄 I feel more in control of my life (I know this sounds like a stretch), but I'm glad I made this decision. #nonprofits #grantmanager

As a nonprofit management consultant, I thought I'd expand my skill set...until I found myself digging a hole for a deck! Stick with me for expert strategic planning and grant applications, not DIY disasters! 😄 #KnowYourStrengths #ConsultantFail #GrantWriting

The Grand Game of Nonprofit Governance Ah, board members - the noble custodians tasked with upholding an organization's mission, vision and values. It's a role that commands respect...and perhaps an upgraded shawarma sandwich at those marathon meetings. As a board member, you are the architect of the organization's moral blueprint. You define the core tenets that guide decision-making, ensuring the nonprofit stays truer than a brownie sundae to its purpose. Value dilution is forbidden on your watch! And let's not forget - you hold the power to hire (or fire) the big bosses. No pressure, but your job is to fully support her and make her successful! Your governance duties are the glue holding the organization together, keeping it adhered to its noble path. Just be sure not to get too much glue on those luxury board member pens - it's harder than you think to get adhesive off imported cherrywood. So lead with integrity, steward those values, and never forget - with great governance comes great responsibility (Right Spiderman?). Your nonprofit is counting on you!

Interesting blog by Joe Saxton - Association of Chairs. The unique features of trustee boards (or how trustees are not like staff) part 1 I found point 5 particularly interesting...... 5. Flat structure - limited hierarchy. Trustee boards are pretty flat structures. Indeed, in the eyes of the law they are pretty egalitarian, as all trustees are responsible. This flat structure gives rise to what I call the trustee #8 problem. How does a board make use of a trustee who isn't chair or vice-chair, treasurer, or committee chair? The trustees who don't easily have a specific role are often those who find trustee boards the most challenging - because they can feel like they are there just to make up the numbers. It's the chair and CEO's job to make sure all trustees have clear, fulfilling roles. #trustee #charityboard #chair #executiverecruitment

Guide to Effective Nonprofit Organization Management

Volunteering to serve as a board member for a not-for-profit can be a career-changer for CPAs. To pursue and land the board seat right for you, follow the strategies outlined in this Journal of Accountancy article. https://bit.ly/4cu7XGW

Learning the economic power of California's nonprofits 💡 One in every 14 California jobs is at a nonprofit 🤓 ___________________________________________ #nonprofitstats #nonprofitleadership #nonprofitorganization #industrystats #accountant #accounting #cpa #accountingandfinance #accountingservices #accountants #harringtongroupcpa

Great article! If you have all the components of a strong governance framework and a Governance Committee with a dedicated staff member to support, I don’t know that a CGO is required to address these inconsistencies. Nonetheless, the points noted are interesting: the importance of orientation with a large governance component vs organizational knowledge, eliminating barriers and ensuring that the opportunity to participate is available to everyone, balancing board focus between fundraising and governance, board performance and self-assessment, poor processes creating an environment where governance and critical thinking is lost, the same few Directors engaged and participanting and the role of board vs management.