Tis the season indeed! In many households throughout the United States, children are lighting menorahs, stockings are being hung on mantels, cookies are baking, and mailboxes are overflowing with requests for year-end gifts from nonprofit organizations.
But the sounds of the season are not the same this year for our brothers and sisters impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The tinkle of silver bells has been replaced with the roar of front loaders. A cot in a gymnasium is a poor substitute for the warmth of the family hearth. Business owners who had high hopes for a strong retail season may be resigned to reopening next summer. And once again, our colleagues at the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are helping to provide much needed disaster relief services to our fellow citizens.
These circumstances call us to reflect on the privilege we have as nonprofit professionals to help ease the pain and suffering of others both daily and in times of crisis. Televised news reports include the faces of our first responders followed immediately by the nonprofit community–the volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross. Salvation Army trucks filled with supplies arrive on the scene. Celebrities lend their talents to raising awareness and money, but the nonprofit organizations whose missions are disaster relief are those who bring food, clothing, shelter and comfort to those who are hurting. And they stay the course until the work is done!
Below is a short list of nonprofit organizations that are providing “ministering angels” in this holy season. The team at Bacon Lee & Associates is grateful for these outstanding organizations and we know that there are countless other organizations that are and will be involved in this massive cleanup effort.
American Red Cross
Mercy Corps
America’s Second Harvest
Red Cross and Red Crescent
B’nai B’rith International
Salvation Army
Catholic Charities USA
Southern Baptist Convention
Convoy of Hope
United Jewish Communities
Feed the Children
United Way
We invite you to use these links to visit the websites of these organizations and to consider a year-end gift to rebuild lives in New York and New Jersey.
Our work is important! As nonprofit managers, development professionals and board members, we are part of a growing sector of the US economy. We are responsible for the encouragement of, management of and conscientious stewardship of more than $300 billion in charitable giving each year. We also represent an ever-increasing area for job growth. This is the perfect time of year to fine-tune our mission message, to revisit our strategic plans and to spend some time dreaming big about the future of our organizations. The quality of life in our communities depends on our achieving our missions.
For four decades at the end of Christmas Eve services at First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, after the dimming of lights and the lighting of candles, worshippers make their way into the street while singing “Silent Night.” Our service ends as we recite together words written by Howard Thurman, mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr. Thurman was an African-American pastor and professor who wrote and spoke extensively on the connection between spiritual values and a call to action to transform our world.
The great blessing we have as members of the nonprofit community is to participate daily in transforming our world. Consider the words of Howard Thurman from his poem, “The Work of Christmas.”
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
The team at Bacon Lee & Associates wishes you the joys of the season and a new year of health and good purpose.Bacon Lee & Associates conducts numerous job searches for nonprofits throughout the state of Texas. We’ve seen job candidates come to the interview well informed about the positions for which they are applying and all too many who come ill prepared for the interview. This month, the Bacon Lee team focuses on knowing the organization in which you’re seeking employment, preparing yourself for the interview experience, asking appropriate questions, and looking the part.
By Joyce Penland
Bacon Lee & Associates conducts numerous job searches for nonprofits throughout the state of Texas. We’ve seen job candidates come to the interview well informed about the positions for which they are applying and all too many who come ill prepared for the interview. This month, the Bacon Lee team focuses on knowing the organization in which you’re seeking employment, preparing yourself for the interview experience, asking appropriate questions, and looking the part.
Do your homework
Our team was unanimous in recommending that candidates need to know the organization in which they’re seeking a job. All too often applicants come to the interview without knowing much about the nonprofit they presumably want to work for. The interview is not the time to “wing it” and try to bluff your way through the process. Instead, take the time to learn as much as you can about the position you’re applying for as well as the mission and culture of the nonprofit.
Estela Avery says, “Find out what the non-profit does, its history and purpose.” And Beverly Seffel recommends doing research. “Look at the organization’s website and 990.”
Rehearse for the interview
It’s also important to “rehearse” for the interview and be prepared to answer questions about your “fit” for the organization. Says Karen Kegg, “The candidate should give good tangible reasons why their skill sets would benefit the organization. It’s wise to know your own accomplishments and how they would translate to the position. Many times people come to the table as generalists but can’t define their specific strengths and expertise.”
Exhibiting enthusiasm for the nonprofit’s work is also a plus. Says Alexis DeSela, “Be prepared to answer what you know about the organization and why you want to be part of it. Show us and clearly articulate your passion for the mission and how your experience and past accomplishments will translate into success for the organization.”
A job interview can be intimidating even for the most confident person. Says Barbara Anne Stephens, “Develop skills to deal with your nerves and to calm your fears. Answer questions directly. For example, if the interviewer says, “Tell me about a time when you made a personal “ask” for a six figure gift,” begin your reply with, “I will never forget the first time I asked for a six figure gift.” Be direct and as succinct as possible.”
Ask appropriate questions
It’s important to come to the interview with questions of your own. Marion Lee says, “Ask thoughtful questions. You are interviewing the organization as well being interviewed. What you ask is as important as how you answer. It makes a difference.”
According to Mike Bacon, “This is your chance to impress with astute questions based on the research you did. “ Mikes’ tips for good questions include:
- If this is a new position, ask about the reasoning behind creating it.
- Ask what the interviewer sees as the greatest challenges for the person who gets the job.
- Why is the organization so dependent upon events versus individual gifts?
- Does the interviewer have any sense of what it would be like to work for the person will be your supervisor?
- How engaged is the Board in true fundraising?
Mike says, “All of these questions give you valuable information and show that you are savvy enough to know the right questions to ask.”
Dress the part
Looking as if you’re ready to assume the role for which you’re applying is of great importance. A wise applicant will dress for the interview the way you would dress for your first day on the job. For male candidates applying for leadership positions in a nonprofit organization, that still means a suit and tie, and for female applicants that means a suit or a business dress and appropriate footwear, and jewelry.
Says Alexis, “Dress professionally: don’t let your attire, jewelry or fragrance become a distraction.” Another tip from Alexis is good for all job applicants: “Leave your phone in the car!”
The Bacon Lee & Associates team believes applicants can make a positive impressions throughout the interview process by simply following these tips for success.
