Leadership Coaching on Small Nonprofit Program Part One

Leadership Coaching on Small Nonprofit Program Part One allows you the opportunity to review and discuss what you offer as programming and how you carry that out. 

Since there are so many small nonprofit services, ministries, and community building programs out there, these eight practices (4 here, and 4 in Part Two) cannot capture the intent of all of them. 

But, you can use this as a guide. Rewrite each in a way that is reflective of your organization. Use it as a guide to help you be intentional about the pursuit of excellence in what you do.

49. Activities are appropriate for age level and expertise           

This is Practice 49 of 80

Not everybody always wants to do the same thing or spend time in the same way.

Learning, growth, help delivered and fun can come in many forms. Provide lots of each for everyone. Be creative and be flexible. Meet the serous needs. Meet the needs for relationship and lightness.

Do an inventory of all current possible activities available, for each age level, grouping and expertise that you serve.

• Are there any gaps?

• What could be removed?

• What could be added that would make a difference?

Why This Practice is Important

It is important to be flexible and creative and accommodate different types of participants within all age groups.

The Key Concept, Attitude or Action That Drives This Practice

VARIETY

An Expansive Thought

Do your daily schedules allow time and flexibility to custom create an individual experience while still experiencing the group? The gap to be bridged between “what I want to experience,” and “what the organization wants to, and can provide” is called quality programming.

An Action Point

Consider one demographic and walk through a typical day. What degree of flexibility do they have to ‘customize’ their own experience? How can you be the facilitator of a memorable experience? Think participant-centered programming.

40. Programs requiring expert instruction or supervision have it

This is Practice 50 of 80

Before you consider offering the activities make sure you can provide the correct staffing over the long term.

People who know their area well and creatively allow others to participate, can make it a valued and talked about experience for a long time to come. Expertise appropriate to the activity level enhances the camper experience.

• What programs do we currently have that may be in jeopardy over the long term if we do not train or obtain proper staffing?

• What three future programs would make a good addition for us?

• What can we do to plan and prepare for those now in terms of staffing?

Why This Practice is Important

It is mandatory that no program is lacking in safe supervision and needed instruction.  The future success of the work you do depends largely on this.

The Key Concept, Attitude or Action That Drives This Practice

EXPERTISE

An Expansive Thought

How do we recognize an expert who will be outstanding with the participants and guests who come to our facility?

An Action Point

How can we attract experts to be involved with us on an ongoing basis?

51. Daily programs reflect a healthy diversity of activities

This is Practice 51 of 80

There are many good people out there who can make an outstanding week of programming or service delivery. Use them. They will be sensitive to the ones who like routine and those who want variety.

People who can design programs are high value people. Remember, they come in teams as well. Develop them.

• Balance recognizes the unique variety and wholeness of each individual. How are we doing on balance?

• Is the routine side outweighing the variety side?

• Does this accurately reflect the tendencies of our participants?

Why This Practice is Important

A well planned and balanced program can attract new and repeat participants and ensure the long-term success of what we do.

The Key Concept, Attitude or Action That Drives This Practice

BALANCE

An Expansive Thought

What constitutes a good program person? Do we have talent as yet undeveloped in this area? God-gifted programmers take individuality, diversity and balance and enlarge others.

An Action Point

How could we foster the development of great program people who can deliver on our mission?

52. Overall program allows for adequate rest for staff and participants

This is Practice 52 of 80

It is said that a change of pace is as good as a rest.

Maybe, but rest is crucial. Don’t keep staff or particpants on the run all day long. Program an intensity of activity that is appropriate to the age group.

Irritability, colds, complaints and a host of other symptoms often point to a simple need for rest. Give them some space to unwind. Adequate rest means less illness, greater happiness and more satisfaction.

• Review the pace of your various schedules. Is there anything needing attention?

• What changes can you make to keep people at their best?

Why This Practice is Important

Well rested and healthy staff will have a direct impact on the success of any  programming. It will also affect how participants perceive staff attitude, customer service, ability to handle problems, and overall friendliness.

And well rested participants will make life so much more enjoyable for everyone.

The Key Concept, Attitude or Action That Drives This Practice

REST

An Expansive Thought

What measure are we using to assess if participants and staff are getting the rest and space they need to be their best?

An Action Point

Formulate and administer a feedback program directly to staff to determine if there are any obvious areas for improvement.

This is the end of Leadership Coaching on Small Nonprofit Program Part One.

As You Followed Leadership Coaching on Small Nonprofit Program Part One, What Did You Notice Could Use Attention? 

As you review Leadership Coaching on Small Nonprofit Program Part One, that focuses on programming, make sure to reword and rework the practice to be reflective of your organization. 

That way, you can develop a baseline against which to measure performance. Then, when you come back to this in 6 months or a year and review, you can measure again, and see how you have improved. 

Keep score and make meaningful improvements that up the quality of the program you deliver.