The Blog of Serafina Consulting

The Urgency of Resiliency

4/27/2022

When the Santa Fe Community Foundation engaged my services last year to help design their 40th anniversary campaign, we thought hard about what New Mexico needs most. SFCF generously spreads their giving statewide rather than just regionally -- something that became almost essential during the terrible, sweeping fallout of COVID.

We hoped to strike a tricky balance -- focused enough to inspire donors to give, yet flexible enough to accommodate health care, food insecurity, climate and environmental crises, racist policies, and even unknown threats. We landed on the idea of the emergency. It's what all of these areas shared in common -- a moment in time when one big problem sweeps the state and cascades out several more. Resiliency is the antidote, SFCF's interim president Sue Coliton wisely pointed out. The Resiliency Fund was born.

While I'm not surprised that the emergency we're seeing in our home state today -- fires in northern and southern NM simultaneously due to stunning wind -- is climate related, I'm proud that we created a fund that can indeed help our communities respond to the moment. You can support the Resiliency Fund directly here.

April 23rd wind radar image from Windy.com.

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Do You Know the Cycle?

6/7/2018

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About a year ago, a colleague recommended that I look into The Cycle, Michael Kaiser's management method for running high-performing arts organizations. At the time, I was just starting up my practice and needed to focus on other things, so I put a mental pin in it. This spring, after finishing up a house renovation and moving in, I was hungry to focus on some meaty professional development while *not* thinking about the miles of trim that I have yet to paint.

I was DELIGHTED to see that The Cycle isn't just a book now -- it's a free online course on Coursera. And WOW. It's excellent work well worth the time to watch the lectures, if not complete all the exercises.

Who's Michael Kaiser? He's the executive director that brought Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater back from the brink. And then he ran the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, for about 13 years. He started a management institute there, honing this method of focusing tightly on making great art (the easy part!), marketing institutionally, and building relationships with what he calls the "family." Guess which part is my favorite? As Kaiser acknowledges, the lessons apply to all sorts of organizations beyond arts and culture - that just happens to be his bailiwick.

The institute how lives at the University of Maryland, and has expanded its scope. I can't say enough about the quality of this course. And hooray for free!
www.coursera.org/learn/the-cycle

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Board Chemistry for the Win

1/11/2017

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One more place in life to cultivate balance. Namaste.

Board work is one of the most rewarding things about nonprofit development. No matter what your structure, it’s absolutely where you learn all of the big leadership lessons for your organization, and in my opinion it’s the engine that either gives it vitality - or not.

Vitality is about balancing all the right elements and getting them to play well together. Here are the five profiles of people that I think you absolutely need on your board – plus a rare one that’s a huge find.

The Anchors – people with the long view, they’ve been through more than one stage with your nonprofit and have worn multiple hats with you. Why do you want them? Wisdom. A steady hand. A reassuring presence. If you’re going through change or crisis, these are the ones you lean on. Likely your most loyal donors and fundraisers.
The Young Bright Ones – young with an impressive resume already, they’re bursting with ideas and eager to prove results. Why do you want them? Innovation. Entrepreneurism. Enthusiasm. Energy. They help remind everyone that red tape and too many rules serve no one. They want projects to sink their teeth into.
The Primes – middle-aged and at the peak of their careers, they’re very quick on their feet. Why do you want them? They’ve tested big ideas in the marketplace, know how to calculate risks, and handle success and failure. They align your organization with the people in the city/country doing big things. They’re excellent philanthropists and can be brilliant fundraisers if they’re comfortable with it.
The Independents – these are true independent thinkers. Some people might consider them rebellious or disrupters. Why have them? They arrive at their own decisions. There’s no group think, confirmation bias, or Emperor’s new clothes with these folks. They’ll be the first to tell you when a grand plan or initiative just doesn’t add up. Almost always entrepreneurs. They have a small but fiercely loyal circle.
The Socialite / Master Networker – can be any age, any gender. Why do you need them? Social currency counts for a lot in arts and culture organizations, and you can’t have fun without these people. They magnetize your organization and events, build community, grow your donor pipeline, and literally bring life to the party with their miles-long contact lists. They’re happy to be your donor and some make great fundraisers.
The Sage – a deep thinker. Quiet. Doesn’t say a lot, but when they do, they tend to blow everyone away. Very rare. They don’t seek out board roles. You have to hunt for a sage and coax them out gently with their favorite cocktail and a good book. Why find them? They’re an anchor, a prime, and an independent rolled into one. A tremendously adaptive and valuable ally.

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The Urgency of Resiliency

Do You Know the Cycle?

Board Chemistry for the Win

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