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October 26, 2011 |
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Four Decades
of Leadership |
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| There's non-dues revenue out there through conferences and conventions. Come to Bisnow's Driving Revenue: Association Event Strategies. Wed, Nov. 9 at the Hyatt Regency Washington. Sign up today! |
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| Sally Sibley has dedicated 42 years to leading PHILLIPS Program for Children and Families, a non-profit serving youth with disabilities. After retiring earlier this month, she reflected for us on changes in her organization and the non-profit sector. |
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| When Sally started, PHILLIPS had four students and operated out of a church basement. Today, it serves over 500 children with five programs across the DC area. Sally tells us one of the biggest changes has been the increased complexity of regulation and burden of paperwork, particularly in the areas of special education and child services in which PHILLIPS works. While many of these regulations are absolutely essential, Sally says, they start to consume a substantial amount of time and energy when you combine the layers and varying interpretations from county, state, and federal levels. Today, you need staff that can keep up with that. |
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| Sally has also seen non-profits become more business oriented, a positive switch: "If you don't take care of business, you're not going to exist." Fifteen years ago, it wouldn't have occurred to her or her colleagues to think about mergers and acquisitions. Last year, PHILLIPS acquired the assets of another non-profit, which allowed it to add two new programs. "If we had not been alert to what was happening and what the potential was, I think we would have missed out." Despite the changes, Sally says some things stay the same. The organization is still able to find dedicated, mission-driven staff. While the younger generation may have different styles, Sally dismisses any notion that they are less charitable. Sally spent five years thinking about and planning her succession with the board, so that there would be a smooth transition. Nancy Mercer, a clinical social worker of 27 years, took over the role on Oct. 1 |
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| Public Private Partnerships |
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| Working with government (and the occasional corporate partner) is more critical than ever. Community of Hope executive director Kelly Sweeney McShane worked with four government agencies and a local developer to build apartments for homeless families and individuals in Ward 8, which opened two weeks ago. (Community of Hope provides education, healthcare, and housing for low-income and homeless families.) Kelly tells us coordination can be challenging in public-private partnerships. So, instead of having non-profits going to different places to get land, financing, and operating funds, she would like to see the government create a joint place for resources. She adds that such partnerships need to have a champion, someone in government with clout to get everyone else in line. |
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| Kelly has been at Community of Hope for 11 years, increasing the non-profit's budget from $1.8 million to $10 million next year. She credits long-term strategic planning but also being able to quickly react to opportunities. "If something comes along that fits and makes sense, we go after it. If it doesn't, we don't get distracted by it." For example, Community of Hope was able to seize on health care reform funding opportunities a few years ago and is on schedule to open a 50K sq. ft. health center by 2013. |
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| Celebs Spoof Clinton Foundation |
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| What would it be like if organizations had "celebrity divisions" to help solve the world's problems? A new Funny or Die video imagines a meeting of big name celebrities at the Clinton Foundation. Ben Stiller desperately tries to get the group to come up with new initiatives. Kristen Wiig proposes a "global breathing initiative," where everyone in the world holds their breath for one minute every day to reduce carbon emissions. Jack Black creates a foundation theme song. And Sean Penn wants to know who stole his lunch. Matt Damon, Ted Danson, Kevin Spacey, Mary Steenburgen, and even Bill Clinton himself make cameos. Check it out. |
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| Send news and story ideas to reporter Jessica Sidman, jessica@bisnow.com. |
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This newsletter is a journalistic news source which accepts no payment for featured interviews. It is supported by conventional advertisers clearly identified in the right hand column. You have been selected to receive it either through prior contact or professional association. If you have received it in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe at bottom of the newsletter. © 2010, Bisnow on Business, Inc., 1817 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved. |
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