Recognizing the Unrecognized

I had the honor of attending Stay Classy’s 3rdAnnual Classy Awards last weekend - a red carpet event recognizing the top philanthropic achievements by charities, businesses and individuals nationwide.  What an amazing evening it was:  I cried, laughed, and gave big hugs to those sitting around me.

Leading up to the event, people from all over the country nominated and voted for Charity of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Best Use of Social Media, Most Creative Fundraiser, and for the first time, Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year. Reading the stories and impact of the young nonprofit professionals that were nominated was inspiring, but did make me think about all those young nonprofit professionals that were not nominated.   There are so many of those who, day after day, make a difference, touch lives, and often times go unrecognized.

To all you young nonprofit professionals, I would just like to say, THANK YOU…

• For dedicating your professional career to the nonprofit sector,
• For working long hours,
• For volunteering on your off-hours for other causes you care about,
• For being a philanthropist,
• For turning down other higher paying jobs,
• For dealing with “old school” technology,
• For leading the way in cause awareness through social media,
• For asking questions and challenging the status quo,
• For “volun-telling” your friends and family to donate, volunteer and get involved,
• For taking your professional development into your own hands, and 
• For dedicating your professional career to the nonprofit sector.

  

You aren’t necessary the founders, executive directors, board chairmen, or sometimes even part of the leadership team at your organization (yet!), but you work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure your organization meets its mission. Whomever you are and whatever your role within your organization, thank you!

Thank you, too, Stay Classy for having given us the opportunity to recognize the achievements and impact of our sector.

Thanks to YNPN San Diego Co-Chair Jaci Feinstein for the blog contribution!  To learn more about YNPN San Diego, follow us @ynpnsandiego or find us on Facebook.  We look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Highlight: Classy Awards Nominee for Young Nonprofit Leader of the Year, Meg Storer

Meg Storer has been a part of 2-1-1 San Diego for 8 years, helping to brand it and support its growth from a 1.5  million dollar budget to its current 4.5 million dollar budget. Meg started with completing the CPUC application, organizing events, outreach, press releases and building relationships in the community from Qualcomm to city managers. Those relationships have since flourished, with giving from some of San Diego’s top foundations, individuals and corporations. While Meg has built 2-1-1′s annual event from having 300 to more than 650 attendees, she has also worked to bring awareness of the 2-1-1 service to the thousands of nonprofits that need to be connected to better serve our community.

Meg Storer first came to 2-1-1 when it was located in a small shop with a few folks on the phones, taking calls from hard-pressed individuals needing help and not knowing where to turn. Meg played a major role with the launch of 2-1-1 in 2005, writing and sending press releases to convey the message of what 2-1-1 is, responding to media inquiries about this new organization, and conducting outreach at events. Meg then moved into the role of ensuring that 2-1-1 staff gave accurate referrals via her position as Quality Assurance Manager. CEO John Ohanian recognized Meg’s tremendous efforts to spread the word and promoted Meg to Communications and Development Manager. 

In this position, Meg helped to re-brand the organization, building out an entirely new website, managing the development of 2-1-1 social media, managing the needs of the Board of Directors, being the “handler” for the 2-1-1 CEO, and writing grants to support the organizations operations and new special programs, which she simultaneously assisted in building out. Meg is known for “getting it done” no matter what the effort. Her current passion lies with helping 2-1-1 develop its current partnership with other organizations to grow its military and veterans program, a program Meg finds very dear to her heart because of her own experience as a military wife. She knows the isolation one can feel when you don’t know where to turn when your loved one is abroad, and she uses those emotions as fuel to help 2-1-1 and its special programs thrive more than ever.

Thanks to our partner, StayClassy, and best of luck to Meg.  Visit the Stay Classy site to get tickets for the September 17 awards ceremony.

Highlight: Classy Awards Nominee for Young Nonprofit Leader of the Year, Amy Harmon

Raised in a struggling low-income family, Amy blossomed as a woman sweetly fierce about her calling to make higher education accessible to all. Amy has over 11 years of service and commitment in nonprofit management and fundraising, from Executive Director of an organization empowering young woman (which she appeared on Oprah for) to recently becoming the San Diego State University College of Education’s Director of Development.

Where does vision and commitment to a cause come from? Amy’s story is rare and one of transcendence and persistence. In modern society it is one thing to grow up urban poor and it is another to grow up rural poor, with very litle access to resources/services, dilapidated and unfunded schools, and no community supports for miles. Amy grew up in rural Kentucky, with her three older brothers and parents, in a place where school success could have easily taken a back seat to the growl of a hungry stomach and the struggles of home life. Not to mention, without the simple luxury of indoor plumbing, mid-night treks to the outhouse do not lend to a good nights sleep, particularly in the winter. Many times it is through difficulty and trial the most beautiful things form. Amy’s spirit and humble altruism is a testament to that proverb. Thanks to the help of a high school guidance counselor, Amy discovered Berea College; a small private liberal arts college where bright low-income students attend tuition-free. It was there that she discovered her passion for the power of education to change lives.

Only in her early 30s, Amy has raised millions of dollars for numerous worthy causes, none dearer to her heart than giving those less privileged a shot at higher education. For Amy, these stories are personal and will tell you of the impact a college education had on her life. To her and those she fundraises to support, college is more than classes that lead to a job, but a saving grace, a pathway out of poverty and a shot at destiny. Amy is a living testimony of her work, work that is breaking generational cycles of poverty and bringing hope to society’s forgotten youth.

Working Together in Our Community

We've now passed our 3 year birthday as an organization, and as we continue to grow, we're always looking to make new friends.

That's why tomorrow, you'll find us reaching out to the Mission Valley Sunset Rotary Club at their Wednesday mixer at the Randy Jones All American Grill in Hazard Center. We expect to see quite a few of our YNPN members, and are excited to see how our organizations' membership crosses over. We'd love to see you there!

Established just summer (2010, already!), the Mission Valley Sunset Rotary Club is a service-oriented organization whose membership is closely aligned with our own. In fact, you may even see some familiar faces in their ranks!

Here are the details:
Location: Randy Jones All American Sports Grill, 7510 Hazard Center Drive, Suite #215, San Diego, CA 92108
Time: Starts at 5:30pm
Event information: The suggested $10 donation gets you appetizers and drink specials.

So come on out and drop by for a beverage and some conversation before the Pads play the Diamondbacks. It's a great way to beat downtown traffic!

Cosmos and Causes, Wednesday, July 20

It's about that time for another great YNPN Meet & Greet event, especially given the perfect weather we've had lately! What better venue could we ask for than a gathering at the Cosmopolitan in Old Town tomorrow, Wednesday (July 20) to get together with old friends, and to make new ones. With over 75 attendees confirmed, this classically restored hotel can host many more, so we hope you can join us between 6 and 8 pm. Our theme, Cosmos and Causes, is sure to delight, if for nothing else than because it is a great combination!

With $5 food and drink specials, we'll also be raffling off a VAVi Sport & Social certificate, just to make sure you really enjoy your summer. So while the sun's still shining till 8, don't just go home after work. Come and join us at the Cosmopolitan--you'll be glad you did!

RSVP for Wednesday's Cosmos and Causes event here.

Propelling Your Future

Professional development is one of those aspects of a career that can be easily overlooked. If you're caught up in the day-to-day grind of work or bogged down by too many commitments, isn't time to ponder why you haven't progressed to a place where these frustrations aren't a problem?

Consider professional development as one of those outlets where you're enriching yourself as an employee and as an individual--thereby furthering your own life goals to work in concert with the nonprofit organization of which you are a part.

Tonight, June 7, YNPN San Diego is hosting one of those life-changing career workshops. We're presenting "Three Things Holding Back Your Nonprofit Career" from 6-8pm at the United Way San Diego, guided by Paul Redfern, an Encinitas-based CPA specializing in non-profit and entrepreneurial accounting. During the workshop, Paul will guide us through the pitfalls of common financial practices and highlight guidelines for making sound financial decisions.

Before the workshop starts, we're also hosting a casual networking session with light appetizers and wine. It's not too late to sign up, so we hope you can make it!

YNPN San Diego's 3rd Annual Birthday Bash Meet & Greet

YNPN San Diego's 3rd Annual Birthday Bash Meet & Greet

"Treat Yourself!"

That's right, third time's a charm, and YNPN San Diego's 3rd Annual Birthday celebration is just around corner. Get ready for another chance to meet and mingle with other professionals of San Diego's beloved nonprofit sector! However this time, we'll be adding a bit of frosting to the great occasion.

Whether you are a current YNPN member or non-member, YNPN San Diego invites you as we celebrate our chapter's achievements and successes over the last 3 years. New to YNPN? Our board and committees will be represented to answer any questions you may have, and fill you in on this special celebration. This year's birthday bash will be held at the classy Fifty Seven Degrees wine bar, located on Hancock Street, and just one block away from the Washington Street trolley station. Enjoy a specially extended Happy Hour from 6-8pm, and treat yourself to delicious birthday cupcakes! Discover what YNPN San Diego holds for you as we cheer for another year of nonprofit networking and professional development.

Date: Wednesday, April 20th 2011

Time: 6:00- 8:00pm

Location: 57 Degrees - 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego - www.fiftysevendegrees.com

YNPN San Diego services are free to the San Diego nonprofit community. Please consider making a donation of any size at our event. To lean more about our mission, programs, and opportunities, visit www.ynpnsandiego.org or our Facebook Page

Bring your friends and register TODAY at YNPN San Diego's 3rd Annual Birthday Bash!

Thanks to YNPNSD Board Member and Meet & Greet Chair Natacha Tullier for the contribution!

YNPNSD January Meet & Greet – YNPN: Your Year 2011!

When: Jan 19 6-8p.m.

Price: FREE

Where: Access at The W Hotel, 421 West B Street, San Diego, CA 92101

If getting more involved in your community was on your New Years Resolutions list, then you are in luck!

YNPN welcomes you into 2011 with the year’s first networking mixer at the W Hotel.

This is a great opportunity to meet some of San Diego’s most dedicated people in the Nonprofit industry, learn more about local causes and build yourself a stronger network. And it’s always more fun to do it over cocktails and food!

Specials include 50% off appetizers and $3 brews, $5 well drinks, and $8 select wine!

Whether you are currently a member of YNPN, or simply looking to get involved in nonprofit, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what the YNPN has to offer. Representatives from each of the YNPN committees will talk about their specific committee and what it’s like to be involved.

If you’re lucky you may even bring home more than just some business cards, enter the raffle and win some fantastic prizes! Business and cocktail wear is suggested.

YNPN San Diego services are free to the San Diego nonprofit community. Please consider making a donation of any size at our event. To learn more about our mission, programs, and opportunities, visit www.ynpnsandiego.org.

Bring a friend and REGISTER TODAY at YNPNSD Facebook or on our website at www.ynpnsandiego.org! Be sure mark your calendars and stay tuned for our more event details!

*Photo Courtesy USA Today 2010

November 9th is the Day to See Rosetta Thurman!

Please note the new date...

YNPN San Diego presents:
How to Build a Strong Professional Network (from scratch)
with Top Nonprofit Blogger and Author Rosetta Thurman
Sponsored by The Leichtag Foundation

You’ve heard this many times before. The key to getting your dream nonprofit job or moving up in the sector is to network, network, and network some more. You’ve heard it so many times because it’s true. But how do you network if you don't have much of a "network?" Well, back in the day, before Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, nonprofit leaders actually made connections face to face most of the time. These days, technology has made communication much less time-consuming, however the old-fashioned methods of networking still hold true. This interactive presentation will reveal nine practical ways to build your network from scratch - both on and offline.

Registration includes light appetizers and beverages. Join us on November 9th at 6:00 p.m. Registration is only $10 and the Powerhouse Community Center!

About Rosetta Thurman

Rosetta Thurman grew up in the public housing projects of Cleveland, Ohio, and if it weren’t for the nonprofits in her community who helped her family in times of need, she doesn’t know where she would be today. She currently works and lives in Washington, DC. After working in the nonprofit community for eight years within the fields of historic preservation, youth development and capacity building, Rosetta decided to branch out into consulting to contribute to the nonprofit sector as a whole. As a writer, speaker, trainer and coach, Rosetta is passionate about sharing resources, career advice and fresh ideas to educate and inspire young professionals and people of color in doing the work of social change.

Rosetta Thurman writes about nonprofits, leadership and social change on her popular blog rosettathurman.com and her mission is to empower a new generation of leaders. She is the co-author of How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar, 50 Ways to Accelerate Your Career, an accessible, do-it-yourself map of how to build a successful career in the nonprofit sector. Rosetta also blogs for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and hosts All Nonprofits Considered, an internet radio show featuring live discussions with social change leaders. Rosetta holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Trinity University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also completed advanced training programs at The Fundraising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Institute for Nonprofit Management at Columbia Business School.

Rosetta is an active member of the Organizational Development Network and serves on the Advisory Council for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of DC. Rosetta has also taught nonprofit management and leadership as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Professional Studies at Trinity Washington University.In 2008, she was named a “New Leader in Philanthropy” by Greater DC Cares. In her free time, she writes poetry, cooks fancy food and listens to old school jams. She also tweets. A lot.

The Nonprofit Rockstar Tour

The Nonprofit Rockstar Book Tour begins in November 2010 with stops in Washington DC, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and San Diego.

Top nonprofit bloggers Rosetta Thurman and Trista Harris have co-authored the first book of its kind to offer career advice beyond just getting your foot in the door of a nonprofit organization. How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar provides an accessible, do-it-yourself map of how to build a successful career in the nonprofit sector. As a result of reading this book, young professionals will be able to develop valuable nonprofit expertise, practice authentic leadership, and establish a strong personal brand.

Register here!

Start Voting Today!

YNPN San Diego is one of the TOP FIVE finalists for a Classy Award in the category of Most Innovative Use of Social Media. We need all of our members and their networks to vote for us before October 22. YNPN San Diego has spent the last few years building a network for the San Diego nonprofit community and now is the time you can give back! Help recognize our volunteer efforts to lead YNPN San Diego and provide you with all kinds of good information. We need your support today... please join us in recognizing YNPN San Diego's efforts!

VOTE TODAY!!

Outstanding Young Nonprofit Leader Nomination

Do you know a young nonprofit professional in San Diego (under the age of 40) that goes above and beyond the call of duty? Now is your chance to nominate them for recognition at the 2nd Annual Classy Awards to be held on November 7th, 2010. The recipient of this recognition will be announced on stage at the Classy Awards in front of the more than 1000 award ceremony attendees.

All you have to do is complete a simple, three-question nomination form at by Sunday, October 10th at 5:00pm. Please keep each answer to 150 words or less. The survey includes the following information:

• Nominator Name
• Nominator Email
• Nominator Phone
• Nominee Name
• Nominee Email
• Nominee Phone
• Please describe the nominee's involvement in the San Diego nonprofit community.
• Please describe the nominee's achievements over the past year.
• Share a personal story about how this person has impacted your life, or the life of someone else in the community.

To complete the survey and nominate someone, please click here!

The Process: YNPN San Diego will be responsible for determining the finalists and recipient of this recognitions.

• YNPN San Diego accepts nominations which will be reviewed and scored by the YNPN San Diego Partnership Committee.
• The Partnership Committee will select three top nominees based on the selection criteria.
• The YNPN San Diego Advisory Board will review top three nominees and at their October 19th board meeting and make a final selection.
• The Partnership Committee will contact the finalist for final review.

Recognition: The honored recipient will be asked to provide a photo to share in the 2nd Annual Classy Awards montage and will be recognized on stage at the Classy Awards on November 7th.

Thank you to everyone who nominates an outstanding young nonprofit leader!! This is great way to honor and support the next generation of amazing leaders in the San Diego nonprofit community - join the movement today!

To complete the survey and nominate someone, please click here!

In case you missed September's Meet and Greet...

Highlights from the September Meet and Greet from Erin Miller, YNPN San Diego Committee Member

Young nonprofit professionals from all over San Diego convened at the Bamboo Lounge Sept. 16 to enjoy each other’s company, learn about one another’s work and explore leadership opportunities for young professionals in San Diego. Many thanks to Bamboo Lounge for hosting us!

With the theme of the meet and greet, “Developing local leadership in San Diego’s civic and service communities”, YNPN San Diego brought together local leaders from within YNPN San Diego, New Leaders Council, Stay Classy and Mama’s Kitchen to inspire the attendees to become leaders in the community.

Megan Lim, board member for YNPN San Diego as well as NLC opened the program and talked about her experience as a part of both YNPN San Diego and NLC.

After Megan, Pat Walsh of Stay Classy encouraged the crowd to nominate their favorite nonprofit charity for the second annual Stay Classy Awards. Described as the Academy Awards of nonprofit work the Classy Awards recognize the top philanthropic achievement in eight cities across the country. While the nomination period is closed stay tuned for the Nov. 7 announcement of finalists and voting.

Carlos Marquez, Co-Director of NLC began by flattering the audience; praising the intelligence and leadership within the room. Marquez then spoke of the importance of San Diego’s young professionals in forwarding the progressive agenda. He encouraged all in the room to apply for the 2011 NLC Institute.

Alberto Cortes, Executive Director of Mama’s Kitchen shared his passion for civic involvement by reminding the attendees “Society is measured by its ability to serve those less fortunate.” Cortes also reminded participants that involvement no matter how small is impactful in a big way.

Thanks to all who came out and contributed to the event’s success. We are looking forward to carrying the momentum from this event to our October 21 Back to School Book Swap Meet and Greet! Watch our Facebook Page for more pictures from the event!

YNPNSD Final '10 Meet and Greet: Fall Book Swap Night

Announcing this year’s final Young Nonprofit Professionals Network San Diego (YNPNSD) Meet and Greet! Mark your calendars as we celebrate the coming of fall and the opportunity to network with San Diego nonprofit professionals.

This Meet and Greet will be taking place on Thursday, October 21st on the private outdoor deck of the fabulous Starlite located on India Street. As we welcome back all new and returning professionals, enjoy Starlite’s exclusive happy hour including food specials and discounted drinks, such as the renowned Starlite Mule, $3 beers, and $3 well drinks until 7:00pm.

• When: October 21st, 2010 6:00-8:00pm
• Where: Starlite, 3175 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
• Cost: FREE
• RSVP HERE!
  

YNPNSD will also be hosting a “book swap” throughout the event as a fun way to share valuable resources with each other. Just bring a book focused on nonprofit issues that you’d be willing to part with, and make an exchange for one that you’d like to check out! As always, all YNPNSD members and non-members are welcome whether or not you bring a book, so please spread the word to all your friends and join us! The fun starts at 6:00pm so arrive early for the best parking.

This will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with other nonprofit professionals in the San Diego community.

YNPN San Diego services are free to the San Diego nonprofit community. Please consider making a donation of any size at our event. To learn more about our mission, programs, and opportunities, visit www.ynpnsandiego.org.

We hope to see you there!

*Starlite is 21+ venue

Nominate for StayClassy Awards Today!

The CLASSY Awards is an awards competition recognizing the top philanthropic achievements by charities, businesses, and individuals in eight major cities nationwide: Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

The CLASSY Awards isn't just a popularity contest - it's focused on tangible action and results. We're looking to recognize and highlight the greatest achievements - large and small - by individuals and organizations giving back to the community. Last year's award winners rappelled off buildings to raise money, started orphanages for abused and neglected children in Tijuana, and built giant structures out of tens of thousands of cans to collect food donations. We're looking forward to seeing how this year's nominees are giving back!

Beginning August 1, America is invited to nominate praiseworthy charities, business and individuals for ten (10) awards categories. Based on those nominations, a panel of judges in each city will determine the nominees who have the most compelling stories, the most "out of the box" ideas and have made the greatest impact on their communities. The top five (5) nominees in each category, in each city will be deemed City Finalists and will then be voted on by the public. The City Finalists with the most online votes in each category will be crowned the City Award Winners, and automatically entered into online voting for a National CLASSY Award.

The competition will culminate at a red-carpet awards ceremony on Sunday, November 7 in Downtown San Diego, CA featuring a host of celebrity presenters, chart-topping music talent, nonprofit industry leaders, social media gurus, and hundreds (if not thousands) of CLASSY Awards supporters. More than $100,000 in the form of cash and in-kind services will be donated to support the charitable efforts of the ten (10) National CLASSY Awards Winners. All City Award Winners will be given two (2) complimentary tickets to attend the CLASSY Awards ceremony.

With the help of our 2nd Annual CLASSY Awards partners, the event is sure to dazzle and inspire all who attend.

Nominate YNPN San Diego!

YNPN San Diego needs your help! We are asking our members to take a few minutes to nominate us for the award, Most Innovative Use of Social Media, through the Stay Classy Awards. Share with Stay Classy how the online network and community YNPN San Diego provides helps you and makes a difference. The winner of this category will receive a $10,000 donation! YNPN San Diego could certainly use this to keep our services going.

While YNPN San Diego is run primarily by volunteers, we need funding to keep services and programming available for our membership. A lot goes into maintaining our online communications. Nominating us for a Stay Classy Award is a great way to support our efforts without spending a dime... although we would love that too!

All you need to do is complete a simple, short online form and let them know why YNPN San Diego should be nominated. Thanks in advance for taking the time to support your network of emerging nonprofit leaders!

Learn About YNPNSD's Meet and Greet Committee

After joining YNPN San Diego in early 2010, I wanted to discover more about the organization and meet some of its members. I decided to go to my first Meet & Greet (The YNPNSD Birthday Bash in April 2010) where I hoped to meet other nonprofit enthusiasts. As soon as I arrived, the members of the Meet & Greet Committee welcomed me and even introduced me to other YNPNSD members. Everyone was very warm, friendly, and I immediately felt part of the group. I found the La Jolla Karl Strauss to be a great venue because of the outdoor patio and the mellow, happy hour atmosphere. I felt really comfortable meeting other people who are passionate about nonprofits, and I found the networking experience to be very rewarding. I highly encourage all YNPNSD Members and Non-Members to take advantage of other Meet & Greet events in the future. Have thoughts or questions? Leave them here!

-Natacha Tullier

Notes from Career Building Workshop

Last week, YNPN San Diego was joined by Laura Gassner Otting from Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group at USD to talk about career advice in the nonprofit sector. Below you will find some great nuggets of information for you to use and share. Many thanks to Laura for her incredible time and dedication to the topic!

Starting the search for your career means being fearless. Share your dreams and fears. Ask yourself where you want to be in the next ten years. Here are some specific steps that Laura recommends:

Get a Full Toolbox

Focus on things you can do right now:

• Recognize if you are at the right place at the right time
• Fake it till you make it
• Recognize your interests and skill set
• Strategic reflection – don’t just take any job
• Use your platform to pivot
• How to translate your skill set
• Put yourself where you want to be
• Dream big!
• What’s holding you back – recognize trigger points

Recognize the Eight Motivating Factors:

• Skill acquisition/Development
• Money
• New challenges
• Colleagues and community
• Mission/Cause
• Scope of impact
• Leadership skills
• Geography

Address in your cover letter any gaps in your experience or resume. If you can’t cover your gaps then get the experience. If you don’t have the academic experience you can build that experience in other places.


Get on a Board
Boards will provide you with scaffolding for your experience. It should be a mutually beneficial experience. Know what you are bringing to the table before you join; know the expectations. Join boards that are strategic for you. Build your skill set, grow your network, and develop a platform. If you offer certain skills ask for others in return. Boards consist of givers, influencers, and doers. Boards often look for young, charismatic leaders. Consider joining a committee of an org’s board before joining a board.

Get Mentored
For-profits have management tracks, etc. Young people move around a lot and there isn’t enough money to invest in individuals so seek out mentorship opportunities. Look outside of what you do or analogous to what you do. Find different mentors for different purposes. Be interesting. Force yourself to think like a businessperson. What do you want to make? What is your strategic plan for 5 years? Mentors can be excited about your whole life and who you are not just your profession. Find people who are doing what you want to do and ask them for other people that you should talk to.

Get Noticed
Decide that you are the expert. We all have a pulpit to work from with social media so use it. Think about your personal/professional brand. Use social media to make “Frolleagues = friend-colleagues”. Is your goal to be a “thought leader”? Use social media to get to your goals, position yourself professionally.

Get Head-hunted
If there is a search that is right for you and them, call the search firm. Don’t worry about being annoying, be persistent. Be prepared with your elevator speech for their voicemail. Explain why you are right for the position. Look for people who do searches in your field. Pass along information to the network that is relevant – mention that you are looking for a job. Do something for them and they will do something for you. Open up the conversation. Create a network and connection with people who are the hubs of information.

Leadership Skills that we look for: ( CompassPoint and the Meyer Foundation, 2006)

• Leadership and influence: How do you influence people without monetary rewards. It’s a tough place to work in the nonprofit work. So how do you keep people energized about it?
  
• Managing up, down, and sideways – we are made up of teams, not individuals trailblazers. Managing a board, the team, with stakeholders, with funders - do you know how to do this? Anyone within the sphere of influence.
• Delegating with kindness and accountability – how are you measuring results, making sure you are getting results, asking partners and staff to be accountable?
• Communications – know how to talk with all different kinds of people in the organization - everyone is motivated by different things
• People who can manage lots of balls in the air - can you multitask?
• Knowing how to get to you “yes” – how do you stalk a prospect? What to ask for and when you ask for it?
• Managing dotted line relationships as well – make nice with friends, enemies, etc. How do you figure out how to create collaborations? Need to start with trust.
• Delivering impressive results – need that actual numbers and results (scope, breadth, and depth). What wouldn’t have happened if you were there?
• Long term view – npos move slower in change and need to have a longer term view
• Have a distinct passion – passion will drive fundraising.
• Learn how to spin your skills and passion - be the spin doctor
  

Service of Oneself – A Holistic View to Creating and Living Within Your Care Circle

YNPN San Diego Professional Development Workshop
Facilitated by Dave Macek, Executive Director Red Lotus Society

While you may have heard it first on an airplane, the rule still applies out of the air: please put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Stated another way - only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Easier said then done, right?

Join YNPN San Diego and leaders from the San Diego nonprofit community in a unique dialogue on the importance of self care; breaking through any obstacles preventing you to creating a healthier and happier YOU; and small steps to take you in that direction while sharing resources and tips of successful self care practices.

During our July Professional Development workshop, you will leave the workshop with:

• An expanded awareness of practices and tools of self care
• Easy practices to implement in your own life
• A declaration of your personal self care
• Tips and resources of self care practices

REGISTER HERE!

About the facilitator, Dave Macek

Dave's goal is simply, To Serve, and Red Lotus Society is the perfect vehicle for him to carry out that mission. He has been the Executive Director of RLS since June of 2009. Dave is a native of Massachusetts and has been living in San Diego for the past 5 years. During his 'pre-yoga' college days, he played football and weighed 90 pounds more than his present weight. After encountering some back problems from years of power lifting, Dave decided to give yoga a try thanks to the encouragement of his dear friend, Melissa. After taking just one class, Dave knew he was home. Although the initial benefits he experienced were mainly physical, the mental, emotional, and spiritual transformations that followed are beyond words. Upon returning from backpacking Europe last summer, where he worked on an organic farm/yoga retreat center in Greece, Dave knew his next step was to enroll in teacher training. Dave's focus when teaching is to help students experience in their yoga practice what we each look for in every moment of our lives: Joy, Peace, and Love. Having the opportunity to instruct yoga students and be part of Red Lotus Society has been one of the most precious joys of his life.

About Red Lotus Society:

Red Lotus Society, a 501c3 educational non-profit organization founded in 2006, promotes peace by creating environments for education in mindfulness, community, and cultural awareness. RLS envisions a more peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable world in which mindfulness is a common practice of everyday life. The organization restored the nearly-condemned, historic Ideal Hotel (Est. 1912) in downtown San Diego into a vibrant community center with a meditation and yoga studio, tea room, and communal residency program. Visit www.redlotussociety.org for more information and a schedule of classes and events.

Details

When: Thursday, July 15, 2010
Where: Red Lotus Society (540 3rd Ave, San Diego CA 92101)
Free Parking Options:

• Free (3 hr) Parking at Horton Plaza (Make sure you validate ticket in mall BEFORE coming to workshop). Lot is just one block away (2 minute walk) at 3rd Avenue and G Street
• Anytime after 6 PM street parking is FREE (meters/yellow/green). You can even park in yellow commercial zones. Red/Blue curbs however are not acceptable.
  

Paid Parking Options:

• There is a large ‘5 Star’ parking lot on the corner of 2nd Avenue & J Street. It charges a $5 flat rate after 5pm Sun – Thur.
• You may also opt for the 6th & K Parkade, a 4 story structure with 1000 spaces. It is open 24/7. The flat evening rate is $3 Sun – Thur.
  

Fee: $10
Who: YNPN San Diego community - members and nonmembers of all ages
Schedule:

• 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Sign-In and Networking
• 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Program
• 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Intro to Meditation (Red Lotus Society)
• 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Tea Room Open and Networking

REGISTER HERE!

Career Advice for You on June 16th

I hear more and more everyday about young nonprofit professionals who are either looking for a job in the nonprofit sector or who are looking to advance their careers. YNPN San Diego is excited to have an expert on the topic who is going to be available to share her expertise with our membership on June 16th. Join Laura Otting Gassner from Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group to talk about how to advance your career and build the career you want. Register here and we hope to see you there!

Continuing Education Resources on June 17th

There are only a few weeks left to register for the upcoming YNPN San Diego Meet and Greet on June 17th. It's a graduation theme which means that we will have organizations at the event who provide continuing education opportunities in the nonprofit community. These organizations include:

• Nonprofit Management Solutions
• USD SOLES
• UCSD Extension
• The San Diego Foundation Fundraising School
  

It's going to be a great networking event where you can gather information and even invite a recent grad who might be interested in the nonprofit community. Register today!