This past spring, Kecia Carroll of KC Roberg, worked with four regional nonprofit organizations in four weeks, all with a common mission: to pause, regroup and rebuild post pandemic. For some, emerging from the pandemic created an opportunity to refocus and realign, to go back to basics relative to board, staff and other key stakeholder engagement. For others, it was a matter of simply dusting off their playbook and getting back to their mission feeling focused and reenergized.
These conversations and planning sessions resulted in some common themes that serve as good reminders for other nonprofits wishing to hit the reset button.
- Return to known best practices for board governance, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
- Reaffirm mission, purpose and strategic priorities.
- Work collaboratively with board and staff for better alignment and shared goals.
- Be proactive in defining the culture you want to have, and how you’ll work toward it.
- Create opportunities to establish (or reestablish) the rapport that will be needed to build a strong and cohesive board.
- Conduct a communications audit to determine if you are effectively and consistently communicating your mission and impact in the community.