Mystic River Watershed Association’s Post

As someone whose dream job is to work at a foundation, I found this guide from The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project to be thought-provoking. It outlines a vision for the program officer position that prioritizes relationship-building, flexible support, and a commitment to learning - essential skills for effective community engagement. Check out the full article here:

Relational philanthropy is about fostering meaningful connections, collaborating, and embracing diverse perspectives to build stronger communities. Learn more about this new approach to relationship building in Stanford Social Innovation Review: https://bit.ly/4fBfIfV

DoSomething's Director of Analysis & Impact, Yasmine Mahdavi, recently published her article Volunteerism’s Diversity Problem in the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Read more about how young people are often excluded from volunteering opportunities due to a lack of social, human, or economic capital and what organizations can do to build more inclusive approaches to youth volunteering. https://lnkd.in/eRZJqF4Y

Recently you may have seen my other posts about strategic volunteer engagement. I want to let you behind the scenes to see more about how this is working with my partners at Mount Saint Mary's University. Earlier this month, Mariam Khwajazada and I discussed our project during our presentation at CASE (you can get the slides here: https://lnkd.in/gKS2AKC7) Our goal was to come up with a volunteer engagement plan that would: - Support revenue-generating activities for the university - Create opportunities that would be attractive to our alums - Meet our level of readiness aka resources and current program development - Connect with our existing alumnae engagement team mission and purpose In support of the second pillar, we conducted a survey on volunteerism and were surprised by some of the results as we sought to find what roles our alums were most interested in. Some options that we thought would be slam dunks were not, and some options we hoped they would embrace, they were all in for. Now, I'm working with advancement staff to share those findings with our most important collaborators across campus. What's great about this process is that so many stakeholders can see the data and it's very clear where we can all work together to get the biggest wins for the university and its students (spoiler alert: mentorship is the name of the game). These partners have loved the insights and this data is setting us up to work on very clearly defined projects together. So what are the takeaways here? - You need to be clear on understanding your audience and what interests them (even if you think you know the answer already!) - Campus partners (think faculty, student affairs, and admissions) are thrilled to be part of the process - Clear data makes for a clear plan If this project sounds like the type that could help you, I'm offering a workshop this Spring on strategic planning for advancement professionals. I can help you come up with your own plan to do this critical work on your campus. Visit the page to sign up for the interest list today: https://lnkd.in/grru3_iP

This article got me thinking about the value of genuine connections over formal exteriors, an underlying theme being that authenticity shouldn't be tucked away during 9-5. With Gen Z entering the workforce, nonprofits face so many opportunities. This generation's approach to careers offers insights into creating a more inclusive, balanced, and mission-driven workplace. I'd like more conversations exploring and redefining what it means to have a fulfilling career in service. Here's to creating environments were ideas flow as freely as casual Friday vibes, every day. Gen Z Is Open to Nonprofit Careers — but on Their Own Terms (philanthropy.com)

The fulfillment derived from being a part of Rotary stems from the knowledge that their actions have positively impacted someone else's life. The individual believes that the desire to create a meaningful difference in the world is a crucial virtue to cultivate. They are constantly inspired by the dedicated individuals encountered within Rotary, witnessing the passion they invest in their roles and the tangible results they achieve. These individuals embody the ethos of the organization, embodying it in their daily lives, and in return, Rotary garners a wealth of goodwill and support. Moreover, they believe in the importance of incorporating fun into their endeavors. As Dr. Seuss aptly put it, "Fun is good." Therefore, they infuse a sense of liveliness into their club's volunteering activities, reinterpreting the "Service above Self" mantra to include enjoyment. After all, if joy is not found in their Rotary service, their commitment may wane. Contributing to their community and relishing the enjoyment that Rotary brings allows them to break out of their comfort zone. Through Rotary, they have the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of equality among them as Rotarians. In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to overlook the significance of building community and embracing joy. If each person made a conscious effort daily to positively impact someone's life, particularly those they do not know, the world would undoubtedly be a better place. Curious about joining our team of community minded leaders go to https://kalrotary.ca #kalrotary #community #rotarymembership #servicebeforeself #vernonbc

🌟 Celebrating #VolunteersWeek: Reflecting on My Role as a University Governor 🌟 As #VolunteersWeek unfolds, I find myself immersed in the fulfilling world of governance at Harper Adams University. 🎓 Being a university governor isn’t just about attending meetings; it’s about shaping the institution’s future, ensuring compliance, and fostering its overall well-being. 🔍 Diving into Details: • This week, our finance and governance committee convenes, and I’m setting aside time to read the detailed reports prepared by our staff. The numbers, strategies, and insights—they all matter. • As a trustee with years of experience, this new finance and governance role adds fresh challenges. But I’m fortunate to have a supportive network of fellow governors who share their wisdom and perspectives. • Beyond formal meetings, I enjoy those candid conversations with colleagues. We delve into organisational culture, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective commitment. 🌱 Personal Growth and Impact: Being a university governor isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about personal growth, professional development, and community impact. 🌿 It’s where passion meets purpose, and where decisions ripple through the lives of students, faculty, and the wider community. 🚀 Join the Conversation: Have you volunteered in governance roles? What excites you about community impact? Let’s connect and celebrate the power of volunteering! 🤝 #VolunteersWeek #EducationMatters #CommunityImpact #HarperAdams

One of my favorite things about West Monroe is the emphasis on #corporatesocialresponsibility. In addition to #probono projects and support for #nonprofit partners like the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), the Fischer Fellowship funds our employees out in the field, anywhere in the world, working on consequential service projects. More on the impact of this exciting work in USA TODAY after the jump.

[CASE STUDY | THE IMPACT OF PLACE-BASED #GRANTMAKING] One of the best parts of the International Corporate Citizenship Conference: the CASE STUDIES. For #BCConf24, that includes this can't-miss MassMutual session, ideal for anyone working in #giving, #philanthropy, corporate #foundations, etc. Oh and btw... It's not too late to register for the Conference! Meet us in Memphis and get ready for: Unlocking Community Transformation: Exploring the Impact of Place-Based Grantmaking This session introduces the concept of place-based grantmaking, explores its significance, and identifies key elements for success, as well as potential pitfalls. Hear directly from the MassMutual Foundation and #community representatives leading Frayser Connect, gaining insight into what it takes to drive meaningful community #impact. Join us to become inspired and equipped with key learnings that can inform your own investment strategies. Hear from Alison Mathias, Vice President, MassMutual Foundation; Meredith Hennessy, MUP, Principal and Practice Leader, Consilience Group LLC; Dr. Nicole Gates, Director, Frayser Connect, Frayser Community Development Corporation; and Fayre Crossley, MBA, GPC, SHRM-CP, Chief Grants and Compliance Officer, Epicenter. https://lnkd.in/e-_hKSSU #corporategiving #communityinvestment #communitypartners #socialimpact #corporate #foundation #giving #philanthropy #corporatesocialresponsibility #corporatecitizenship

✨ Volunteering isn't just about giving back; it's a powerful way to boost your CV and stand out to employers. 🌟 Through volunteering, you gain valuable skills 📈, show initiative 💡, improve your employability 🚀, expand your professional network 🤝, and demonstrate your passion and commitment to important causes 💙. #CareerGrowth #CVBoost #Volunteering #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #MakeASmile 😊