Solutions For Good

It is that time! Summer brings bright and energetic interns to your organization.   Interns can be of such great benefit to a nonprofit organization, as you know, and working with you is a fabulous learning experience for them.   So, w hat is the best way to make it a win-win situation?   We've all been the victim of and/or the culprit of a not so well thought out intern experience.  Not the best situation, right?  Even thought you are very busy, prepare for your intern's arrival.  Read the advice and articles below for helpful suggestions.   And know you will need to spend time with your intern  throughout her/his time with you to provide guidance, structure, and learning opportunities.  The goal is two-fold-- good learning experience for the intern and helpful work product for the organization.  Consider what you do well in engaging volunteers or AmeriCorps members at your organization, as some of this is similar to planning and working with an intern. The 3 articl

While my brain is on a constant, frenetic overload from all the information on the web, I have to say, I am a glutton for learning more!   I want to sort through the not-so-hot things to get to the  HOT stuff.   Efficiency is key in this process of gathering good information on the web and not wasting time on the less than “hot” items. What's hot ?  Hot is what is up-to-date or the newest trend. In this case free, quality, curent, relevant information for nonprofits. There are some    some great free webinars and online trainings that various organizations offer on nonprofit management topics.   This is an efficient way to continue your professional development.  My biggest frustration is that I miss too many of them!   So, we have to know where to find the hot stuff and get on their email list, follow them on Twitter, or whatever works for you to stay connected. Below I have  shared several of my favorite places for good quality, free online training on various

Seize the opportunities of the New Year. 1.      ReServe Maryland   connects the state’s nonprofits and public institutions to experienced professionals 55+ (ReServists) who want to reinvest a career's worth of skills to strengthen their communities. 2.       Socialbrite provides social solutions for nonprofits.   They offer client services for a fee and also great free resources, tips, calendars of events, and more in their Sharing Center , “a free learning hub for nonprofits and change-makers”. 3.      Baltimore Community Tool Bank   offers an inventory of tools, shovels, rakes, drills, etc., to help nonprofit organizations, religious and educational institutions, community groups and their volunteers increase their impact. 4.      Pinterest lets you tell your organization’s story in pictures.   T his social media tool is quickly rising in popularity.     Use this step-by-step guide   provided by Nonprofit Tech 2.0 to get started. 5.      National Confe