Leadership is a set of skills and qualities that needs constant practice, and for many emerging nonprofit leaders, can be an area of limited experience.  I feel guilty for using the word “emerging” to describe young nonprofit leaders, but there is still a sizeable gap to close before today’s young professionals find themselves serving as Executive Directors and senior staff moving the sector forward.  So what does it mean to be a leader if you’re not sitting in the corner office or pondering mission with your board of directors? Your first reaction might be to say that you’re bringing innovative ideas to your workplace. However, ideas are great only when implemented effectively.

Some popular recommendations for enhancing the role of young nonprofit professionals in the sector were outlined in YNPN’s report, “Good in Theory, Problems in Practice,” which examined several ideas around leadership development. The findings of this report suggest three ways that young professionals can bring high-impact ideas that are achievable and sustainable to their workplace. Here are some of my thoughts on how you can get them to work for you and take the next step in developing your leadership skill-set.

1. Understand context before suggesting a solution.  Since consensus building is one of the cornerstones of the nonprofit community, even if you have the best idea, you’re going to need buy-in. A good way to get started is to conduct an informal evaluation before you propose your idea. You might talk with coworkers or board members to gain perspective.
2. Leverage relationships  Your current coworkers are not the only resource at your disposal to test out and help promote your ideas. This is the perfect opportunity to reach out to your personal board of directors and ask their opinion.  The best relationships will give you honest feedback. They will tell you what your ideas may be missing or if you need to hurry up and get a presentation together.
3. Be a partner  None of these actions are achievable without a strong network of peers. And to build a strong network, you’re going to have to go deeper than sharing a beer at happy hour. My colleague, Carissa Giovanni previously posted on the YNPN Chicago blog about how to start your nonprofit career and those tips definitely still apply.  Once you’ve found like-minded professionals, you’ll want to stay in touch.  I’ve found a great way to do this is to reach out when you don’t need anything. Emailing an article with a short message that says “I thought you might find this interesting.” goes a long way.  This technique can show peers and coworkers that you’re interested in their development and thoughts in addition to just getting your work done. Part of being a leader is to keep up on trends and share your findings and thoughts in meaningful ways.

What other tools have you explored to show your value? Do you have any other advice for aspiring leaders? We’d love to hear your comments.

Dan Gould is an At-Large Member of the YNPN Chicago Executive Committee and currently Associate Director for Alumni Relations at Loyola University Chicago. Dan joined the Loyola team in November of 2010 after working for several years in the Chicago nonprofit sector. At Loyola, he works on building relationships with Colleges, Schools, and Centers of Excellence in addition to assisting with communication and marketing strategies, focusing on social media. Dan holds an undergraduate degree in English and Music Performance from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in Education from DePaul University. Dan is also a musician in his spare time, preferring the bassoon and accordion.

Recently YNPN Chicago and YNPN National featured articles about Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Armed with this funding information, and perhaps new year’s resolutions to make some big life changes, you may be considering going back to school. This is a complex, and at times overwhelming, decision. (I empathize; I have been contemplating it for a while now too!) Like all big endeavors the first step is the hardest, so here is some basic information about postgraduate educational opportunities for nonprofit professionals in Chicago.

An advantage of living in Chicago is having a wealth of options in all areas of life, and schooling is no different.  The array of universities in the city allows for various masters and certificate programs.  There are a wide range of degrees for nonprofit advancement (e.g., MPA, MSNM, MPP, MNA, MBA, MNM, LPS).  To narrow the scope, I included only programs that concentrate exclusively on nonprofit careers,  but I encourage you to look into other degrees and schools.  Remember, schools have different options regarding admissions deadlines (e.g., annual, quarterly), requirements (e.g., GRE, writing samples, letters of recommendation), and educational instruction (e.g., full-time, part-time, online) you will want to take into consideration. Deciding to go back to school is a complex choice. I hope that the list below helps you start researching options and find one that works with your life and career goals.

 DePaul University, School of Public Service 

• Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM)
• Nonprofit Leadership certificate

Illinois Institute of Technology, Stuart School of Business

• Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Nonprofit Management specialization
• Nonprofit Management certificate

Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work, Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy Sector

• Certificate of Advanced Study in Philanthropy

Loyola University Chicago, School of Continuing and Professional Studies

• Certificate in Social Services and Nonprofit Management

North Park University, School of Business and Nonprofit Management

• Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA)
• Certificates in Church Administration; Fundraising Management; Nonprofit Finance; Nonprofit Governance; Nonprofit Management; Nonprofit Marketing Management

Northwestern University, School of Continuing Studies

• Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations certificate

Roosevelt University, Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Managing Nonprofit Organizations concentration

Spertus

• Master of Science in Nonprofit Management (MSNM)

University of Chicago, Graham School of General Studies

• Certificate in Board Leadership

University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, Great Cities Institute

• Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Are there any other programs you think your nonprofit colleagues should look into?  Do you have any personal experience with the programs above that you’d like to share?  If you’ve gone back to school do you have any advice for people determining if this is the right move for them? Post a comment and keep the dialogue going!

Katie Anthony would like to help strengthen Chicago’s nonprofit community by promoting communication between Chicagoland nonprofits, as well as increasing their interaction with local government. She believes collaboration across sectors can be instrumental in supporting communities and strengthening Chicago as a whole. Katie has over six years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, and currently serves as Co-Chair of YNPN Chicago’s Communications Committee.  She works in the Education Department of the American College of Surgeonsand previously worked at the University of California, San Francisco. Katie is an active volunteer with other nonprofits including Woman Made Gallery, the Junior League of Chicago, and her alma mater Carleton College.

When I was five, my mother enrolled me in Kindergarten. My Pocahontas lunch box came to school filled with sticky rice, homemade beef jerky, and sometimes a tomato-based and fish-smelling dipping sauce. None of this was weird to me.

I stepped through those large, metal doors with my chin slightly up and my nerves getting the better of me. I was a painfully shy child.  I was trained from a very young age to be quite obedient. The other kids around me were loud, giggly, and full of energy. It made me uncomfortable.

When the teacher began the attendance roll-call, it became the moment – though I didn’t know at the time – that would set a precedent for the majority of my adolescent life. The attendance was going smoothly, right up to this point. Did I even know my name was coming up? Or that it would create such an imbalance in the rhythm that was the-attendance-calling up to now? Of course not.

“Hmm, this one’s a bit tricky; listen closely!” Had I had known, I would have shot my hand straight up and yelled “Present!” before she could even attempt it.

“SOWKA-PRY-DEH FET-TE-MIZTY?” That was the first time I had ever heard someone not in my family pronounce my real name. It was a horrible experience for a five year old.

I raised my hand.

“Great! Did I pronounce that right?” I shook my head no and she asked me to say it for her.

“SOOK-PREE-DUH PET-MISSY,” I sheepishly whispered.

“Is there something else you go by?” I thought for a moment and nodded my head.

“Victoria,” I looked down at my table. “It’s my middle name.”

That was 1993. From that moment on, Victoria became my persona.  Throughout my high school and even into my college years, Victoria was helping me become confident and successful. My teachers adored her, praised her, and even recommended her for top-tier schools around the country. Soukprida was a shadow of my childhood and rarely did I ever let her resurface.

But this began to bother me for the last two years of college. I started questioning why it was such an outlandish idea, the idea of wanting people to pronounce my birth name correctly. Why should I supply them with an alternative?

That was 2008. During the same year, I questioned my identity and my name again, but in a different and rather subtle way. I was a part of NPR’s Next Generation Radio project. My piece was called “Accents and Identity: A Personal Journey.” (You can only imagine what that was about.)

When I returned from that “personal journey,” I had a long talk with one of my professors who told me to embrace my uncommon name. “Use your minority status for all its worth.” Was he joking? “You shouldn’t have to go by your middle name just because a few people are too lazy to work on pronouncing your first name right. It’s your name. It makes you unique. It makes you, you.”

When I moved to Chicago (in 2010), I decided to finally accept my birthright and it’s been a refreshing ride ever since. The Chicago’s diverse nonprofit sector has received it with open arms and I continue to be thankful and ferocious in the ways I strive to define myself (name and all) within it.

As a young Laotian woman trying to make it in the nonprofit world, I see where my real name is a benefit. I see all my differences now and instead of being embarrassed by them, I am starting to embrace them more fully. After all, what’s in a name, but the person behind it who defines it and gives it meaning?

*********************************************************************************

Soukprida Phetmisy, Student Engagement Manager, Center for Community Arts Partnerships, graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2010, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing and Arts Administration. She has worked extensively in radio journalism, new media and youth development and has since been seeking avenues to merge these interests into one.Since moving to Chicago in 2010, she has been an active member in the nonprofit and arts communities, and hopes to continue working in these sectors expansively.

Lowering Your Monthly Loan Payments
If you’re still in school (undergrad or graduate!), the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that as many of your loans as possible are from the federal government. These are generally called “Direct Loans” and can cover most to all of what you need to go to school. It’s important to note that CCRAA does not apply to private loans, which will generally require you to pay them back at the terms agreed upon when you started (though there are usually some options for graduated repayment, etc.). Talk to your school’s financial aid department about ensuring that your loans are some form of Direct Loans to remain eligible for the program.

If you are about to start repayment, you need to do two things. First, consolidate all of your eligible loans into one single loan through the Department of Education’s Federal Direct Consolidation Loan. Doing so makes your loan payments much simpler to track, after their consolidated, at least, and it also allows some loans like Perkins that are not eligible for PSLF to be rolled into the consolidated loan and become eligible. Second, during consolidation, be sure to select the Income-Based Repayment plan. IMPORTANT: Do not select the Income-Contingent Repayment plan, as it does not qualify you for loan forgiveness. Income-Based Repayment (IBR) estimates your monthly repayment amount at 15% of your disposable income. You can calculate your payments here.

Qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
To qualify for loan forgiveness, you must make 120 payments while you work full-time for a registered 501(c)(3), a government agency, or in a “public service” position, which includes public health and public education jobs, military, and legal aid positions. You don’t need to make the payments consecutively, so you could switch sectors and then come back, but be aware that this reduces the benefits of both programs. More specifics, along with lots of other details, can be found here and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

Other Noteworthy Items
Are those who started working for a non-profit or in a public service job before this law took effect eligible? It depends on the state of your loans now. If you consolidated your federal loans, then you can switch to the IBR plan, which will almost definitely lower your monthly payments. Any payments you made (under any repayment plan) while working full-time at a public service job since October 1, 2007 will count toward PSFL.

It’s also important to know that even if you do not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program but instead only have a relatively low-paying job in non-qualifying sector (e.g. private sector), you can still get your loans forgiven. It takes 25 years and you have to be on either Income-Based Repayment or Income-Contingent Repayment, but it can be done.

There’s a lot of information about the College Cost Reduction and Access Act out there, but many people don’t know about it – so tell your friends! And find out more information here and here.

Melanie Hoekstra is the Operations Manager at The Plant, a vertical farm and food-business incubator.  She is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and the University of Michigan. She cooks, reads, bikes, and sees her friends whenever she can.

Part of my job at the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign (CAIC), a project of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, is to promote immunizations to communities with low immunization rates. That means targeting the “hard to reach” populations. So how exactly do you reach the hard to reach? Well, it depends on who you are targeting, e.g., adolescents, diabetic Asians, or uninsured African Americans. However, there are some general tips that the CAIC promotes in our immunization trainings that may help.

Understanding the community that you serve is an ongoing learning process. What works for one person may not work for the next. I have learned numerous things through trial and error, and it always helped to maintain a positive and friendly approach.  I have learned that certain cultures do not believe in handshakes, that drinking coffee for some religious entities goes against their beliefs, and that while some women may not be able to look at me in the eye, it does not mean that they are not paying attention to me.

You also need to be careful, and avoid focusing on your preconcieved notions, which may not be accurate. Maintain a non-judgmental attitude at all times. Just because I am Latina does not mean that my thoughts and attitudes are representative of all the Latino community.  We all know what can happen when you make assumptions. Look beyond your own biases and look for other possibilities and solutions.

Thinking outside of the box, will help you get out of your comfort zone. For instance, if you prefer to do correspondence through email or phone, but the population you are trying to reach prefers face to face interaction then it is time to put on some comfortable shoes and hit the pavement. Try to reach everyone but also accept that you are not going to reach everyone.

Materials distributed to the community should be easy to read and understand. When I create any materials, I have a second or even a third pair of eyes review my work. How I may interpret something may not be how the population I am trying to reach may interpret it. If possible, have the materials translated into the language of your targeted population. Even if the whole document cannot be translated, try to at least translate the key points.

Overall, having an understanding, respect, and compassion for the people you serve will go a long way.

Melissa Ponce is the Senior Project Coordinator for the Chicago Area Immunization Campaign, a project of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition. She works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by promoting the delivery of safe, effective, and timely immunizations. She has over seven years of experience working in the non-profit sector to improve the well-being of communities. Previously, Melissa worked for the Albany Park Community Center, educating and providing services to families in order for them to live in a healthy community.  She has a BA from Northwestern University in psychology.

In the January 6 edition of the Gazette, a community newspaper serving Near South and Near West-side neighborhoods, it was reported that the City of Chicago would begin charging nonprofits for water – something that hasn’t been done in years.  The money collected from this tax “would be used to rebuild the city’s aging water infrastructure,” the article reports.

This new tax could create monumental problems and budgeting difficulties for the city’s numerous nonprofits, the article writes.  For one organization featured in the article, this could mean an extra $10,000 – $30,000/year they would have to plan for. Even though the program will be set up to allow nonprofits to gradually start paying the tax with discounts over the next three years, it is still not certain if organizations will actually be able to cover even a lowered rate.

So, what does this mean for nonprofits like the ones at which YNPN Chicago members work and volunteer?  It may mean that programs will be eliminated, altered operating hours, and as a last resort, the doors being closed.

However, shutting down is just not an option for those in the nonprofit sector.  We are vigilant, dedicated, and compassionate people determined to continue to make a difference for those in need.  But a water tax will certainly mean, for most nonprofits, an increase in fundraising and finding resources to cover this new budget line item.

A look back at charitable giving in 2011, however, doesn’t shed a bright light at the end of the tunnel.  The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that in 2011, the top 50 philanthropists donated $3.3 billion; a hefty amount, but actually the lowest in The Chronicle’s reporting history.  Also noted was that the top 400 charities across the United States had extreme difficulties raising crucial funds in 2011.

If fundraising and giving, across the board, was down in 2011, a water tax for Chicago nonprofits in 2012 will only cause more budgeting difficulties and perhaps the shrinking of numerous programs.

For more information about this tax and how it may affect the nonprofit you work or volunteer at, reach out to your alderman.  Use the website below to learn how to locate your alderman:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/about/council.html

Ashley Mouldon is a Fundraising Co-Chair for YNPN Chicago. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Roosevelt University and Master of Arts degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She currently work as the Manager of Data and Communications at BUILD which is a nonprofit dedicated to serving at-hope youth in Chicago. Ultimately, Ashley wants to work in the nonprofit sector in the development department and/or direct service and programming with youth. She enjoys living and working in a big city and after five years, is still learning more of what it has to offer.

The unemployment rates, at first glance, tell a different story.  As of November 2011, unemployment of people age 25-34% was above the national average with 9.2% and unemployment amongst job seekers 55+ was well below with 6.4%.  Whether the level of discrimination described to me is actual or perceived, the bottom line is that once unemployed, older job seekers stay unemployed much longer than their younger counterparts—and have since the beginning of the recession.  This statistic reveals a cycle of issues that shouldn’t be ignored.

First the obvious issue- the longer any workers are out of work the less employable they become.  Meanwhile, health care costs go up, home values go down, and retirement savings are lost.  Then there’s the issue I would like to highlight—the older job seeker psyche.

Workforce development is my specialty, and I can tell you one of the most important skills for any job seeker is not to get discouraged by being told “no”—or in the world of online applications never even being acknowledged by employers.

I’ve also witnessed the breakdown of the job seekers psyche in my friends coming out of grad school with way too many loans and way too few job options, which I don’t take lightly.  Nevertheless, it’s often more difficult with older job seekers.

The thousands of low-income older workers I work with have “barriers” to employment identified by the Department of Labor which might include being homeless, having a criminal background, having no employment experience, having low literacy, not speaking English, etc.  However, when the greatest soft skill in regards to employment is not stopping with a no, lack of confidence often winds up being the greatest hurdle to overcome.

In my experience, this lack of self-confidence happens as the job seekers are systematically made to feel invisible within the workforce specifically, and dismissed within society generally.   This feeling of invisibility is a deep hole — we all play a part in making different people part of our community visible.

Until I got this job, this group of people were never once on my radar.  I ask you to think about the experience of older job seekers you know, acknowledge and validate their experience, and realize that will be you one day.  And if you have the power to influence hiring decisions, please critically analyze the role your perceptions on age may play in those decisions.

I have used these activities with students in WillPower and at other events, in other youth programs. I know them to be great team builders – because everyone in the group is doing something new and challenging. Below are some of my favorites!

Backwards Racing
Have students line up on a marked start line. Indict the finish line. Racers are to run with the intention of losing so the last person across the finish line is the winner. No one can stand still or stop moving. Alternative version-racers are to race backwards towards the finish line.

Physical Telephone
Students stand in a circle, facing each other. Everyone watches someone but no two people can watch the same person. This way everyone is watching someone and is watched by someone else. There are two rules: do nothing, and if the person you are watching moves, you imitate their movement but exaggerate it a bit. The process goes around the circle and escalates. Despite the rule of “do nothing” the group ends up with extremes of behavior.

Snapshot!
Students spread out so everyone has a couple feet of space around them. Then the facilitator instructs everyone to use their body to express whatever noun or verb the facilitator calls out. It is easier to start with pretty physical cues like basketball, running, horror film, baseball or driving. Eventually the facilitator calls out cues that are closer to the issue the group will be discussing such as leadership, teamwork, shame, bullying, and anticipation.

Sarah Cummings is a Program Coordinator at the MGR Foundation. She coordinates the CareTeam, dedicated to alleviating the effects of poverty through engaged and innovative service, and WillPower, teen pregnancy prevention program that utilizes peer theatre, supported by sexual education and parental involvement, to encourage students to think critically about their sexual and reproductive choices. She tweets @2ndcityslicker and blogs daily at secondcityslicker.blogspot.com.

Sound familiar? You’re frustrated by the reality you’re facing as a young professional in the field.  You have good ideas that could improve your organization but feel that you aren’t being heard or taken seriously.  In spite of this, you are still committed to working in the nonprofit sector!  You’re not alone.  Many emerging nonprofit leaders feel the same way as confirmed by some of the findings in YNPN’s latest research report, Good in Theory, Problems in Practice: Young Professionals’ Views on Popular Leadership Development Strategies.

There is a lot of popular wisdom out there about how to develop leaders and in what ways to use young professionals to strengthen organizations.  At its worst this kind of thinking can stereotype young professionals as social media servants and nothing more, for example.  But young nonprofit professionals will eventually be the future leaders of this sector, and require serious consideration, training and development.  Young nonprofit professionals also require a seat at the table; a chance to be a part of the decisions that will affect our organizations and the future and the sector overall.

In many ways, this is a well-worn topic of conversation for the nonprofit sector and essentially it’s about engaging stakeholders and making decisions based on as much information from as many voices as possible.  I’m reminded of the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations publication: Do Nothing About Me Without Me.  When stakeholders are included meaningfully, results are better.  Period.  And meaningful dialogue that leads to good decisions and better outcomes only occurs when relationships are sound.  You have to know and trust someone before you feel safe enough to say what you really think and work together toward a solution that benefits everyone.

So what does YNPN’s new research suggest for emerging leaders?  Don’t stop bringing your ideas to the table.  “If you have an idea that you believe will improve your organization, do not sit on it.”  Here are a few tips on how to stay engaged:  Get networked.  Stay networked.  Membership in YNPN Chicago is a great way to stay engaged, meet and talk with like-minded folks, and learn about new ideas and perspectives.  YNPN members connect online, in person and at work.  And it’s not all small talk chit chat.  YNPN Chicago members are curious, interesting individuals with a variety of strengths.  Be part of the dialogue by participating in the network.  Your network can also help you think through possible solutions to an organizational problem. Understand your environment and context before speaking up.  And be a partner in the process of organizational improvement.  Invest enough to roll up your sleeves and help see a possible solution through to the end.  You’ll earn your stripes and the respect of senior leaders, as well as your peers.

Marissa Filippo is an Executive Co-Chair of YNPN Chicago and currently serves as an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), an organization which provides credentialing services to the dental community. Marissa has nearly ten years of experience working in nonprofits in Chicago and has been involved in programs related to public education, nonprofit management support and professional development training. Marissa maintains an interest in film and the arts and has taught Humanities at Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. Marissa earned a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Arizona State University.

As one of two full-time employees, my boss and I are pretty overworked, definitely underpaid, and nearly constantly stressed out. Yet, I work with a group of staff, tenants, and volunteers that are some of the most intellectually curious, fun, humble, and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Plus, the building will soon be full of people who brew beer, bake bread, and cook great food.

But, as my grandmother is quick to point out: I have a law degree. Why am I not busy being a lawyer and suing the pants off polluters, like I’d planned pre-law school?

The truth is that the law is generally reactive. Environmental law is no exception: it deals mostly with regulations that control pollution or what to do about a violation. But addressing pollution is itself a backward-looking task. The problem already exists and now it must be addressed. But what if we had processes that didn’t produce pollution in the first place?

It sounds far-fetched, I know.

Still, this is exactly what attracted me to The Plant. Basically, we’re conducting a giant experiment to see if we can create over 125 green jobs without using fossil fuel to do so. By closing as many resource loops as we can, we are reducing the amount of pollution to nearly nothing while putting out lots of good food. Our renewable energy system looks like this: a combined heat and power system (i.e., a big generator) burns methane, which produces heat and electricity. The heat goes to the beer brewing process to make the kettles boil and the electricity goes to the lights over the farm.

Even our farm is a nearly closed-loop model. We’re using an aquaponic design where we raise tilapia and use their waste to feed hydroponically-grown plants. The plants filter the water for the fish and the fish feed the plants.

Could I have done this kind of thing as an environmental lawyer? Possibly, but mostly indirectly.  What I couldn’t do is work for an organization that is trying a big experiment and that plans to give out the blue prints and results for free to the public. We want other people to see what we’re doing and replicate and improve upon our model. This is exactly the kind of work I love: it’s complex, meaningful, and fun!

So, no, I’m not a lawyer. And, no, I probably won’t ever be paid “big law bucks.” I’ll always have to watch my spending and work late hours. But the government doesn’t tax what my organization does precisely because it benefits the world. I’m proud of that – and that’s worth a whole lot.

Melanie Hoekstra is the Operations Manager at The Plant, a vertical farm and food-business incubator.  She is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and the University of Michigan. She cooks, reads, bikes, and sees her friends whenever she can.