Just have to laugh!!!!

What do you do?

You know when you have a client that just like to take their sweet time to get you the information needed in order for you to proceed with their project, don’t get frustrated just laugh and be sure to document the conversation.

Believe me when I tell you that in a few days the client will call ask what is the progress of the project, just refer to your documentend conversation and inform the client that because of their lack of urgency the project is being delayed. Once you’ve told them that watch how fast they begin to get items to you.

Citizens Bank’s Commitment to the D

The “D”

A Commitment to Community

Do you want to be part of something great?

You have the opportunity to be part of the restoration of Detroit, a comeback story that could be powerful enough to become a model for metropolitan revitalization.

Like many great stories, this is one of coming together as a community. The City of Detroit, Mayor Dave Bing’s Detroit Works Project and Citizens Bank are here to be a part in Detroit’s rebirth.

For more information please visit www.myhome.citizensbanking.com

WHY DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS PLAN?

There are several reasons for a business plan. One is to please your funders, who are increasingly interested in seeing business plans with measurable results. a plan provides a way to measure progress toward your goals. It is the base for objective and measurable outcomes that charitable foundations and agencies such as the United Way are now demanding. No measurable outcomes? No money!

One can use a business plan to model the results of the many decisions you have to make in a changing enviroment. What if you add an employee? What will the financial impact be, not just for the hire but also for overhead, effect on the ED, (Executive Director), and other staff, delivery of service, and so on? One could examine the risks of various scenarios. What if giving is down? What if the demand for your services grows more quicckly than expected? What if you move to more expensive facilities to be closer to your clients?

You will find that the planning process teaches you a great deal about running your organization and how to improve its prospects. This alone justifies the time and effort business planning takes.

Board Terms

How long should a board member’s term be? How many consecutive years should a member serve? should former board members be invited to join the board again? If so, how long should they be off the board before rejoing it?

There are no hard and fast rules here. Term limits are intended to provide a smooth turnover of the board. Scheduled turnover is inteded to prevent board stagnation, boards that don’t turn over tend to freeze in predictable patterns. For gradual turnover, start with staggered terms: one, two, or three years.

Three years with one renewal (total of six consecutive years) is common. This allows for some continuity but builds in turnover. Board members who are superannuated can always choose to remain actively involved on committees and advisory boards, though even then they may be well advised to take a sabbatical to refresh. A good rule of thumb is that a board member should take a break from duties for at least one full term in order to rekindle his or her enthusiam and develop new ideas.

Job Description for Board Members

1. Regularly attends board meetings and important related meetings
2. Makes serious commitment to participate actively in committee work.
3. Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time.
4. Stayes informed about committee matters, prepares well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports.
5. Gets to know other committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
6. Participates actively in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts.
7. Participates in fundraising for the organization.

Recruit Board Members

First Meeting of the Board of Directors

New RFPs

Center for Financial Services Innovation Launches New Grant Fund to Promote Financial Capabilities Among Underserved Consumers
Grants of up to $300,000 will be awarded to nonprofits whose projects help consumers better manage their finances and achieve financial prosperity through behavioral changes that improve their credit scores and increase their savings….
Deadline: October 13, 2010
Posted: September 15, 2010

MetLife Foundation Accepting Applications for Museum and Community Connections Program
Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded to individuals and collaborations of organizations working to create programming that helps a large and diverse audience understand and appreciate each other and our world….
Deadline: October 15, 2010
Posted: August 26, 2010

VSA and MetLife Foundation Invite Arts Organizations to Apply for Arts Connect All Program
Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded to nonprofits working to create or enhance inclusive arts education programs in twenty-two metropolitan areas across the country….
Deadline: November 19, 2010
Posted: August 25, 2010

Community Tool Box Announces Global Prize Contest for Community Innovations
Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to any group working to address community health, education, urban or rural development, poverty, the environment, social justice, and other related issues of importance to communities….
Deadline: October 31, 2010
Posted: July 30, 2010

Nike and Oregon Community Foundation Launch Nike Employee Grant Fund
Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofits and schools in Nike communities working on projects that use physical activity to effect change or impact the health and well-being of children and families….
Deadline: November 15, 2010
Posted: June 23, 2010

SEVEN Fund Announces Third Annual Open Enterprise Solutions to Poverty Request for Proposals
Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to think-tanks, economists, professors, and other individuals for their efforts to find a solution to poverty through scientific research….
Deadline: October 15, 2010 (Initial Proposals)
Posted: May 21, 2010

Microsoft Elevate America Announces New Employment Services Grant Initiative
Grants totaling $4 million will be awarded to nonprofits and their partner organizations over a two-year period for efforts to provide employment services, including technology skills training and job placement, in communities across the nation….
Deadline: October 8, 2010
Posted: September 10, 2010

Kresge Foundation Announces New Relief Loan Fund for Human Service Agencies Responding to the Effects of the Economic Crisis
Bridge loans of up to $500,000 will be awarded to human service organizations working to provide food, shelter, and other emergency and front-line services to those in need in their communities…
Deadline: Open
Posted: July 14, 2009

PND – RFPs Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Accepting Applications for K-12 Public School Projects

PND – RFPs Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Accepting Applications for K-12 Public School Projects.

Hello world!

Welcome to MRJ Consulting!

Here you will find new ideas in the world of non profits, whats new at MRJ Consulting, our thoughts, and funny stories from our everyday experiences with clients.

We hope you visit us regulary and we can become very good friends.