Paying it Forward: Train Wreck, Sooner or Later?
When your strategy is a train wreck, don't delay the wreck, get past it working of the "right" future. Volunteers and clients deserve a winning plan.
Fifty percent of nonprofits fail in their first five years, just like “for profit” small businesses, reports the Foundation Group.
The five principal pitfalls that derail nonprofit startups are: lack of a plan, unrealistic expectations, lack of leadership, no money, and failure to adapt as listed at https://www.501c3.org/top-5-reasons-why-nonprofits-fail/
When is the best time for the train wreck, sooner or later?
Later, or delaying the “train wreck,” may be less stressful, but the organization continues to invest people, time and money in a failing strategy.
The ongoing daily uphill challenges sap the energy and passion from the team and community. You may lose your best people and supporters to other organizations.
My vote is to refocus your organization and team as soon as possible so that all are engaged with the future. Volunteers, clients, staff and donors all become excited about new ways and new days.
Challenges are engaged with optimism, fresh will and energy. Learn what you don’t know and adapt. Creativity keeps the energy and momentum that attracts others. With new eyes and hands, you’ll be better able to serve your mission refocus.
Crystal Flinn, Coordinator at Heart Gallery Northwest Texas visited Southwest Rotary Club of Wichita Falls to talk about the need for permanent home for children in foster care.
Statewide, 6,000 children are in foster care awaiting adoption. One in four of those or 1,500 children, are over the age of 13 or have mental, or physical limitations. Many will wait multiple years, maybe even age out of the program at 18 without being adopted.
The Heart Gallery of Northwest Texas creates engaging stories and photographs of those needing adoption in area foster or forever homes. Volunteers may donate money, services — such as photography, beauticians, event catering, digital marketing —at heartgallerynwtexas.org. Businesses or organizations can also host a gallery of local children available for forever or foster homes.
Fire prevention week is October 6 – 12. This annual event commemorates the Great Chicago fire which began October 8, 1871. 100,000 people were homeless with over 250 deaths from the fire. 2,000 acres of land with 17,400 structures burned.
Check your fire extinguishers to make sure that are full and ready to go. Also test your smoke alarms to make sure the batteries are good and sensors work.
Finally, make sure all in your home know what to do in a fire.
Leaders make communities better. Our children need good leaders. Please volunteer and serve.
Published Wichita Falls Times Record News, Trends Section, Sunday October 6, 2024.
Jack Browne is a community volunteer and former technology sales and marketing executive who worked 40 years at Motorola, MIPS Technologies and other companies. How are the children doing?