Getting Stronger in Changing, Challenging Times: A Guide for Non-profits 2013
by Jason Henham and Slate Consulting
Introduction
How much of your time over the past 18 months has been spent thinking about, talking about, assessing the impact of, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)? What about the state of the economy, government budget cutbacks and their impact on your funding? How much of your Board’s and staff time has been spent discussing and learning about these? They’re big issues, no doubt. Over the long run, they’ll have a major impact on the sector, potentially a major impact on your organisation. But, for all the predictions suggesting otherwise, we don’t know exactly what the effects will be. What we do know is, during turbulent times, some organisations will be stronger for having successfully navigated those waters, some will struggle as they always have and some, unfortunately, won’t make it. So, what can you and your organisation do to make sure you’re one of the ones strengthened through the coming years?
The following five things…
1. Don't take your eyes off the mission
2. From strategy to business plan, always talk in outcomes: measurable outcomes
3. Make sure your governance and compliance processes are strong
4. Tell the world what you do in stories
5. Stop doing what you're not superb at