“We’ll see what happens in the next election.  Talk to me after November.” “It’s probably best if we wait until the spring.  I’m just not sure what will happen before then.” Maybe you’ve gotten responses like these during conversations with donors or perhaps when your team comes together to plan your next steps.  These are […]

“an imaginary mischievous sprite regarded as responsible for an unexplained problem or fault” “a small imaginary creature that is blamed when something does not work properly” These words describe a gremlin. A gremlin is also that little voice in your head saying, “I can’t do this, who do I think I am?” or “I’m not […]

Guest post: Kathy Wright, COO for the Institute of Conversational Fundraising and Certified Professional Coach “an imaginary mischievous sprite regarded as responsible for an unexplained problem or fault” “a small imaginary creature that is blamed when something does not work properly” These words describe a gremlin. A gremlin is also that little voice in your […]

Most of the time we think about energy as our “get up and go”. Or maybe we look at energy in terms of the number of calories we need to go about our daily business or to exercise without hitting the wall. But, there is another way to look at energy: What is your level […]

Recently, my son, Aaron, published his newest book Volunteer Leadership Training: For Youth Ministry.  As is our custom when a member achieves their goal, our family celebrated with Aaron on his big accomplishment. Marva and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see Aaron share his wisdom with the world. It isn’t difficult for me to […]

As the new school year kicks off across the country this month, I have spent some time reflecting on my teaching experience.  One student in particular stands out to me for many reasons.  Her name was Mary Ruth Miller. When I joined the faculty at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in the mid 1970s, Mary Ruth Miller […]

And…she has some exciting opportunities for you! I’m thrilled to announce that my COO, Kathy Wright, has been working diligently for 9 months completing the rigorous training offered through   The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. While she has been “coaching” for years (and yes, I have had the good fortune to benefit from her insightful […]

A feasibility study is an important first step when considering whether or not to launch a campaign or substantially increase your fundraising.  Chances are you’re familiar with them and have perhaps even been involved in the feasibility study process.  I’ve worked on many such studies, sometimes in the form of a marketplace analysis, and have […]

One Sunday morning not too long ago, my pastor made reference during his sermon to Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win.  I knew I had to check it out.  The title alone causes a guy like me to want to take a second look. Between Amazon and my Kindle, I was reading it […]

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been discussing some tips from a seminar called “Mission, Money, & Management: Keeping Boards and Donors Connected in Difficult Times.” This week’s tip are all about story. I love stories. If you’ve spent any time with me, you know that I enjoy a powerful story and the way […]