Nonprofit Culture: Celebrate It
- Tom Iselin
- Oct 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Nonprofit Culture: Celebrate It
In this short video provides an overview of the importance of reflecting a culture in the workplace and boardroom, and making time to celebrate a healthy nonprofit culture the organization has worked so hard to adopt.
Hi, Tom Iselin, here . . . and welcome to First Things First.
This is Day 19 of Boot Camp—A Leadership Guide to Building a Gold Standard Nonprofit.
Today, as we wind down this series on building a “Get it Done!” culture, I want to talk with you about two key topics: 1) reflecting your culture, and 2) celebrating your culture.
All right. You’ve written a culture statement that encapsulates your culture. You’ve elected to adopt the culture. You talk about it staff and board meeting. Great! But are you “reflecting” your culture.
For example, let’s say you’ve define a board culture by saying you want to be a culture defined by “work,” “excellence,” “accountability,” and “teamwork.” But how is the board “reflecting” these culture facets in their work, speech, behavior, and policies?
If I walked into a board meeting, how would I be able to “SEE” that the board culture you defined is visible and alive? If a board is serious about adopting a culture, than it needs to be authentic in the ways that “reflect” the culture they define.
Take time to “check in” with your culture and ask yourself, “Are we reflecting the culture we defined?” “How are reflecting the culture we define?” “How could be better reflect the culture we defined.”
We you can consistently “SEE” and “HEAR” the culture you defined manifested in people’s work and words, you know you’re culture is alive and well.
Your culture is just as important as your mission or vision. It defines who you ARE, what you stand for, and what you believe! Defining a culture will take some effort, but nurturing it and keeping it front and center will take work.
This is all the more reason why you should make time on occasion to celebrate your culture. It’s a defining component of your organization and it’s important – for your culture and all those connected with your nonprofit – to express joy for the ethos that binds people together and unites them in a common purpose.
Celebrating your culture does not have to complicated or time-consuming. Simply find time a few times to year to express your pride and appreciation for the beliefs, standards, values, and behaviors that define the great organization you care so much about.
There are lots of things you can do: You can host a party with staff, board, and volunteers. Have an award that acknowledges a team of people who have best modeled your culture. Give out an award for the best idea to celebrate your culture. Or, create a culture appreciation day.
I’m sure you and your team can think of many more ideas.
But whatever you do, make sure you allocate some throughout the year to celebrate the essence of what unifies the hearts and minds and actions of all those connected with the noble mission you’re trying to fulfill.
That’s if for today. In the next episode, the final episode in this series on culture, I’ll wrap things with a summary of some of the most important points I covered. Until then . . . Who-ya!
Tom Iselin
“One of America’s Best Board Retreat and
Strategic Planning Facilitators”
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About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
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If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
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