Dec 16, 2025 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Taking action
For many of us, December is a month of abundance—even excess. It’s a period of rich food, crowded social calendars, and endless reminders to buy more things. And that’s just in our personal lives. For many of you reading this newsletter, December is the busiest month...
Nov 14, 2025 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Taking action
When I was a teenager, I went grocery shopping every Sunday with my dad and younger brother. The three of us had the weekly excursion down to an exact science: Each of us would take a third of the list, grab a shopping cart, and meet the others at the checkout line 15...
Oct 30, 2025 | Communication, Leadership, Strategic planning, Writing & Editing
What do grant writing, strategic planning, and impact reporting have in common? A. They are time-intensive but critical activities for any mission-driven organization. B. They work best by engaging stakeholders early and often. C. They benefit from an outside...
Sep 17, 2025 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Taking action
Many organizations I work with are trying to do as much as possible on a shoestring budget. This is especially the case for newly founded groups that must find a way to balance process with mission—that is, to build the airplane while flying it. (You can read more...
Sep 4, 2025 | Capacity-building, Leadership, Taking action
I spent the last two weeks of August redesigning my website. It’s been a humbling, eye-opening experience that has taught me a lot about getting things done with limited resources. I’ve created and maintained websites for other organizations in the past, but on-staff...
Aug 21, 2025 | Connection, Leadership, Meetings
In my last newsletter, I described how getting work done requires more than completing tasks or developing efficient processes. Any undertaking also involves a cultural dimension. Our relationships, shared values, and a common mission are integral to achieving our...
