You’ve got a to-do list that keeps getting longer by the minute. Eight unreturned emails, two unreturned voicemails, a funder report due date looming, and a meeting that requires an event summary. In the nonprofit world, there’s always work to be done. Let’s face it – many, many, many staff wear multiple hats and are expected to adapt to changes. Sometimes, we even like to comfort ourselves by asserting that the lines are more clear and set in the for profit world (we’ll examine why this myth holds nonprofits back in the future). Often, budget are leans and resources are limited, but we don’t have to tell you that. That’s why there may be some initial resistance to you what we’re about to say.
In order to further your work, you may want to consider leaving your office. We know, we know! How is that helpful? You didn’t read it wrong – walk out the door. Cut the email returning short and go meet with that community partner in person. Adjust your schedule to go check out a peer organization program that’s happening this week, rather than wait to read about it in the (e)newsletter next month. There’s no substitution for talking with someone in person or experiencing an event yourself. Even if it can’t happen all the time, it’s something that will serve you and that other person/organization well if you commit to getting out into your community. Try to carve out time once a week or every other week – whatever works for you – and stick to it. You may find that skipping the computer and going right to the handshake builds stronger connections and better understanding of an organization in the nonprofit landscape.
