Collaboration begins at home

My daughter had a birthday sleepover recently and she invited four friends — three were classmates at her school and the remaining girl attended a school across town — to join us. She was excited about the festivities but was also concerned about the well being of the fourth girl. "Do you think she will feel comfortable with my other friends? She doesn't know anyone but me," she asked. "I don't want her to feel left out."

In mom-speak, my response was, "She'll be fine. Once you all get together, you'll figure it out and will be playing like you've always been friends. You can help her get to know the other girls." My hope was that I could help her see that it was a great opportunity for everyone to gain a new friend and that she could help in that process by ensuring that all of their activities were relaxing, fun, and inclusive.

Then, it hit me. Is this what I do when a new volunteer, new donor, new board member, or new person joins "the group?" Am I practicing what I preach?

A common buzzword in the nonprofit sector is collaboration, and it usually refers to the points of contact where two or more agencies can join together for even greater impact in carrying out their missions. For example, a soup kitchen with a need for fresh vegetables may partner with a farming agency to provide a weekly supply of fresh produce.

But what about a nonprofit's internal collaboration with its family of volunteers, donors, trustees, supporters and constituents? Are you being inclusive, respectful, professional and collaborative with your own internal audiences? If your nonprofit is suffering from internal conflict, can you even dare imagine that internal collaboration is possible?

Most of us can remember a time when we would walk up to a group of kids on the playground and just play. We didn't ask for permission and we didn't judge. On the playground, the simple rules of fairness and fun were, for the most part, the guides for play.

As kids age, they learn more about the types of games they like to play and the people they enjoy being around. When kids become adults, other factors may cause additional discernment of whom they choose to be around.

In a nonprofit, however, you can't guarantee or always predict who will join your mission. What happens when you are confronted with a new and significant donor who wants to try radical ideas, or the new volunteer with a lot of enthusiasm but few skills, or the new board member with expert knowledge of your field but limited social skills? How can you foster an atmosphere of internal collaboration and acceptance, yet at the same time provide the direction needed to carry out your mission? Here are a few guidelines that may help you to accomplish good collaboration within your team:

• Set clear expectations for volunteers, board and staff. This group of individuals forms the three-legged stool of your human resources team. When there are clear expectations of the roles and responsibilities of your team, there is less uncertainty about how the work will be accomplished.

• Engage your nominating committee for new board members. This is one of the most powerful (yet many times under-utilized) committees on your board. A nominating committee and a concise board application process will help to screen candidates. This creates a more thoughtful process to identify gaps in leadership or places where you may need more expertise.

• Listen carefully to all viewpoints. The new volunteer may have unique life experiences that can benefit your organization. As much as possible, have an open mind toward the person.

• Respect the role of the other members of the team. In the most general terms, board members set policy, vision, and direction for the organization and staff members implement day-to-day operations of the organization. Recognize the challenges of each other's roles and strive to do the best job possible.

Even if you do all of the above, chances are you'll still have a few hurdles. In that case, let the mission of your organization provide you with inspiration and remember to keep in mind the old

saying: "It's not who's right, it's what's

right."

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has been supporting the communities of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties through endowed funds for 33 years and during that time has provided more than $39.5 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves. For more information, please call 274-5900, or visit our Web site at www.floridacommunity.com.