Joan Garry — a nonprofit consultant, blogger, podcaster, and now author — will discuss her new book Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership at Montclair Public Library on March 6. The event is hosted by Watchung Booksellers.
Below Garry shares what she feels is the strength of nonprofits and the future of these organizations:
We tend to divide folks by collar. Collar, not color (well that too, sadly) There are the white collars and the blue collars. But the collars that inspire, enrich, educate, advocate and are the bedrock of this community we all care so deeply about are the nonprofit collars. These come in all colors, shapes, sizes and ideologies.
When we consider what make a community special – what makes Montclair special, it’s the people right? Who they are, What they do. What they care about. You or someone you know or love wears a nonprofit collar. And our town is better for it. Way better. Special in fact.
In our own town, we have the staff and board of Montclair Film Festival, those who teach or volunteer at our schools, our faith leaders and those who serve on boards of our houses of worship, Tony’s Kitchen, Human Needs Pantry, PAWS – we all know the list goes on.
We all need to begin to think about nonprofits like small but mighty boats. And since Election Day, everyone on board is uncertain at best and panic stricken in the extreme.
Every nonprofit in America, regardless of ideology, should be bracing itself not only for unchartered waters but also for squalls.
What can you do? Lead, don’t follow. Join a board. Don’t applaud the folks on the field; get out of the stands. Write bigger checks. Learn how to fundraise. Answer the door when canvassers knock – donate and thank them. Double your gift to the annual appeal at school or during the High Holidays.
Nonprofit leaders need to lead, they need to raise their voices and they need to stop and plan. How should you diversify revenue? Go grab someone who’s been marching and invite her/him to know more and do more with your organization. Ensure that your organization is steady and well run.
The strength of our community and the civility of our society rest in our hands – we, the people.
Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership at MPL
Monday, March 6 at 7 pm
Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042
RSVP to events@watchungbooksellers.com