Best Practices for Nonprofits Headlines Chamber’s Monthly Roundtable

WAYNE, Pa. – February 20, 2008 – Jane Mack, MS-ODL, Principal, M2 Organizational Consulting LLC, spoke to a group of over 40 people, on Friday, February 15, 2008 at The Main Line Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Roundtable sponsored by St. Edmond’s Federal Savings Bank, Ardmore.

 

 

The topic, “What Do Funders Want?,” covered best practices for nonprofit’s including governance, fiduciary and legality issues. Mack emphasized it is “not the tug of the heartstrings and the good story of yesteryear,” but that “you must prove you are worthy” of funding. Investors want to see a justifiable cause for donating money to a nonprofit organization.

 

 

Mack also touched on the sustainability of a board. An organization needs to have a strong board with structured bylaws, membership, meetings, and resolute policies. Investors want to put their money into the hands of individuals who will then continue to carry out the fundamental mission of the organization.

 

 

During the interactive session, Mack asked the attendees to gather in small groups with those around them to discuss their unique organizations and the situations in which they all share common ground. No matter the size of the nonprofit organization or the cause for which it exists, all face many of the same issues and concerns on a daily basis.

 

 

Mack also focused on the difference between outcomes and outputs. Outcomes are invaluable and demonstrate to funders just what an organization is capable of and has been doing with their current funding.

 

 

Mack of M2 Organizational Consulting LLC spent over twenty years working in the health care industry before beginning her consulting career. As a consultant, Mack specializes in capacity building with nonprofit agencies and boards, with a concentration in nonprofit governance. She has a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership providing a unique perspective for looking not only at board and organizational functions, but also their interrelationship. She has first hand experience serving in multiple board roles, including as Board Chair leading a board through conversion from a programmatic to a strategic focus. For more information visit www.m2orgconsulting.com.

 

 

The next nonprofit roundtable session will feature Joe Morrison, CEO, InSource SPR, Inc. “The Nonprofit Jigsaw Puzzle: Seeing the whole picture when you’re missing a few pieces” on Friday, March 14, 2008. The free session will meet at The Main Line Chamber of Commerce Conference Center at 175 Strafford Ave., Wayne, Pa. Registration begins at 8 am. To register visit www.mlcc.org or call Marycarole Goodrich, member services representative and organizer of the roundtable at 610.687.6232 x107.

 

The Main Line Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of its 1,800 member base, spans nine boroughs and townships constituting the region known as the Main Line. As the Main Line’s business advocate, The Main Line Chamber of Commerce is committed to enabling members to succeed, promoting economic growth in the region, developing an informed business community and enhancing the quality of life on the Main Line. In its 88th year of service as the area’s go-to chamber of commerce, The Main Line Chamber is the second largest chamber operating in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties and the fifth largest in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. The Main Line Chamber is the first Chamber recognized in the state of Pennsylvania with a 5-Star Accreditation rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 

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