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Author: nonprofitchapin

How To Be the Best Hire Your Boss Ever Made

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I know, I know. You’re looking at that title like, wow. Really? Did she just go there? Isn’t that a little much? My boss would never think that of me or anyone else. Come on now, that’s a little dramatic.

Well, I’m here to tell you something. It’s possible. How do I know? My boss told me that on Monday.

I’m not lying. Those words left his mouth. But first he said with a smile, “don’t tell your direct supervisor” (he is her boss, and he hired her as well!). And – let me clarify exactly what he said.

“I’ve never hired anyone who has worked out as well as you are.”

It’s important to note that I have worked out well. I’m not just amazing – I have grown into amazing. And you can, too.

Here are some tips to grow into the best hire your boss (or even your boss’ boss) ever made.

  • Take the initiative. Deja vu. I’ve blogged about this topic before (see: How To Take the Initiative). But there’s a reason I keep coming back to it. Don’t just show up and do the minimum asked. Go above and beyond what’s expected. No, I don’t want you to start doing other people’s jobs… I want you to take your job and expand it. Did your boss ask for a certain report from the donor database? Provide it, but also explain what she’s looking at and make suggestions for how it could be better. Put yourself in your supervisor’s shoes, and provide her with what she wants, which is not necessarily what she’s asking for (quite frankly it’s usually not). You’re the expert on what you’re doing – so go for it!
  • Be professional but compassionate. The smallest details – responding cordially to a donor, ensuring thank you letters go out promptly – get me the biggest praise. It sounds so basic, but check your voicemail when you have a new message, respond to emails the same day you receive them, and always treat donors with the utmost respect (even when they personally might get under your skin). The smallest details mean so much.
  • Manage. Not just people. Manage your work load, your projects, and your life! Always be aware of what’s a priority for your boss, and more importantly, what’s not. I can’t tell you how long my list of “when I get to it” tasks is. Often your boss will unload a list of projects that would be nice to have done, but if you were to actually work on them, you’d better have all those thank you letters done. Be aware of your boss’ priorities and your own. The other part to this is to manage your life! You think my boss told me that because I’m here until 6:30 every night? Nope. I leave promptly after I’ve put in my eight hours. My good work/life balance helps me focus on work when I’m there – I’m not emotionally drained after putting in long hours every day.

So, for all you skeptics out there – you can do it! You can be the best hire your boss ever made. Or, at the very least, you can channel some amazing qualities which will get you that second look and who knows, maybe even a promotion.

-N.C.

Your Nonprofit is Making You Crazy

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…and mine is, too!!

Now, we all know that I’ve worked in the nonprofit sector for years and don’t plan to leave anytime soon (I’m even getting my Masters in Nonprofit Administration from USF)! But as much as I love the work I do, I’ve recently come to a realization…

My nonprofit is making me crazy!

The vast majority of people working in nonprofits are selfless, caring, passionate people. And when I say passionate, I mean passionate. We’re committed to the cause – mostly underpaid, working long hours, caring wholeheartedly about the work we do.

But when it comes to the day to day work we do… this passion can go overboard. Because we care so much, we believe so strongly in the work we’re doing, we fight for our opinions, programs, and priorities. They mean something to us. They matter.

Well, shoot. If you get too many people like that in a room… they’re bound to make anyone go a little crazy.

The next time you’re in your office, take a second to look around. There’s probably someone making copies, someone frantically getting ready for a committee meeting, someone on the phone with a potential volunteer. And I’d guess the hustle and bustle doesn’t exactly slow down at any point.

So, here’s the thing: this type of constant, passionate work is great in small doses, but in the long term, it’ll make you burn out. And that’s not OK unless you’re inching toward retirement. (Even then it’s not really OK!)

So, what to do? I’m not advising you to up and quit. Not telling you to go find a mindless administrative job that you don’t care about. Instead – accept that your nonprofit is making you crazy. Embrace the fact that everyone cares in excess about their work. The next time you’re in a meeting with someone who seems to be going on about her program, remember that she really believes in this project.

Be understanding, but also realize that it doesn’t have to be this way. The next time your colleagues are gearing up to stay in the office until 6:30, politely leave at 5:00. When noon rolls around, take 20 minutes for a break in the lunchroom. At your desk, remember to breathe and live peacefully. After a little bit of this, you’ll realize you’ve done something:

You’ve taken back the crazy.

-N.C.

Our Increasing Voice in the Nonprofit Sector

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The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently published a list of 10 nonprofits to watch in 2012. While they are all great groups that I encourage you to read about, I want to call special attention to number 10 – Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN). If you’ve never heard of YNPN and you’re involved the nonprofit sector, you need to look them up (You can find their national information here and if you’re in the bay area, the local chapter’s website is here). YNPN provides training, resources, networking, and more. It’s traditionally been completely volunteer run and it’s free to be on their incredibly helpful listserv which has a plethora of job openings, local events, and advice. Whenever people tell me they’re interested in finding a job in the sector, that’s the first place I point them to.

As the article notes, YNPN has hired its first full-time employee in its fifteen year life. This is huge. Going from an all volunteer run agency to hiring staff is one of the biggest jumps a nonprofit can take. It’s truly a testament to the need for the work the group is doing – there really is a ton of possibility for the group – for advocacy, to enhance educational opportunities, to expand other resources… and the list goes on and on.

This is an exciting moment for us Millenials. The value of our voice in the nonprofit sector is continuing to increase and it’s gotten so big that we’re moving forward in a big way. The article eludes to her next steps, and I’m very excited to see where she and the agency go. Because the sky’s the limit when it comes to the young voice in the nonprofit sector.

-N.C.

Living Peacefully

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Happy 2012! I hope you had a nice holiday celebrating with loved ones and spent the end of the year reflecting on what went well the past year and what you’re looking forward to in this one.

As opposed to making a New Year’s Resolution this year (as I did last year with stopping our TV service – which was a great decision, I might add!), I decided to adopt a 2012 mantra. My theme for 2012 is hereby:

Living Peacefully.

2011, while wonderful, was a stressful year for me. It was full of change, new beginnings, and the unknown… and consequently, I got stressed out. Not just annoyed once in a while… really stressed. I felt anxious much of the time. I was unhappy often. It was a difficult adjustment.

Now that it’s been a few months since all the big changes, I’ve gotten a handle on that anxiety. I’ve been proactive about making adjustments to my life and the way I approach stress. For 2012, I want to continue on that path in a big way.

To me, living peacefully means always approaching my life in a calm, balanced way. It means living in line with my values. It means living my life the way I want to, doing the best I can, and knowing that’s perfect.

Whenever I find myself getting worried or stressed, I think about one way I’m living peacefully, or, if I’m not, a way I could in that moment. And then I tweet it. I find telling others about how I’m living out my mantra helps me actually embody the saying. So, the next time you see me tweet how I’m living peacefully, I encourage you to think about if you’re living your life the same way, and retweeting if you agree. Because we could all use a little more peace in our lives.

– N.C.

31 Day Reset: Day 31 – My Vision Board

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

This is the final challenge for the 31 Day Reset! It’s a very bittersweet feeling. It has been amazing dedicating so much time and energy to these challenges… it has helped me focus my vision for my ideal life and understand how I can get there. But most of all, it’s helped me see that how I live my life each day makes a big difference. My attitude, approach, and mentality are what frame my future. I am in control of my destiny – and that feels good.

The last activity was to create a vision board, a collage of images and phrases that will help reemphasize the work I’ve done in this program. I wrote out my top ten values, parts of my personal mission statement, and my personal mantra to add to the collage of images I found from magazines. I mostly chose images that were soothing and encouraging statements about being stress-free… because through this journey I have learned I want to focus on living a more peaceful and zen life.

Here’s my board, now hanging in my bedroom:

 

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Thank you for reading along through my reset. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and it has prompted you to think about your life in a new way!

-N.C.

31 Day Reset: Day 30 – My Eulogy

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

Yes, it’s as it reads: Rosetta has asked us to write our eulogy. Not as though we died tomorrow – as if we died at 77, leading a full life. She’s asked us to write what we’d like our eulogy to sound like.

I keep going back to my personal mission statement for these challenges. I have the feeling this statement is going to make a big difference in my life.

Here’s my eulogy! Sorry it’s on the long side!

Chapin was born in the bay area and grew up in Palo Alto, California. She moved to San Diego to attend UC San Diego, graduating with two B.A.s in Literature/Writing and Sociology. Chapin was one of the founding students of the Alternative Breaks @ UCSD program. The program is an opportunity for UCSD students to travel nationally or internationally to do volunteer work and cultural immersion on their spring or summer break.  The program grew exponentially in its early years, from one trip, to two, to five, to ten, and there are currently more than ten trips that go out each year. Hundreds of students go through the program each year. Her involvement in this program and others at UCSD led to her receiving the Alexis Montevirgin Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service, an accolade she held very close to her heart.

After spending nine years in San Diego, Chapin moved back to the bay area. She received her Masters in Nonprofit Administration at University of San Francisco. She worked in the nonprofit sector in various capacities, as a development staff member at many agencies and even a CEO. After working for nonprofit organizations for years, Chapin put her experience to use in her consulting business, where she provided services for nonprofits and those who work at them. Chapin is survived by a large family, including her husband, children, and grandchildren. Chapin’s passion for empowering others, helping those less fortunate, and always encouraging others will be sorely missed. She was very open-minded, empathetic, and kind. She was a role model by acting with integrity, being compassionate and generous, and showing quiet conviction. Chapin has left a lasting legacy the way she wanted to – through her work with people.

-N.C.

31 Day Reset: Day 29 – Beginnings of a Side Hustle

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

The Day 29 exercise is to start a side hustle. A side hustle is exactly what it sounds like – a second job, a consulting gig, anything you can do outside of your 9 to 5 job to generate revenue, and something that should make you happy! This often turns into something full time, too – which really is a win/win.

I have a few ideas for a good side hustle, but Rosetta’s video about finding your sweet spot for your side hustle helped me hone my ideas. She encouraged us to think about our passions, what we’re good at/have an expertise in, and a possible target market. Then, look at your lists and see what could go together.

General themes of mine are personal and professional development and empowering others, and I think I’d like to focus on the Millenial target market. I’ve actually been brainstorming new ideas for my tag line, etc for my 1 year birthday for my blog (coming in March!) that include that. But another side hustle idea came to me out of left field, and probably is the one there’s the biggest demand for and could possibly generate the most revenue. I’d like to create something to connect with other young people who have my medical condition. Whether that means speaking for national associations, blogging, and even counseling services and groups, I see a big opportunity here – there aren’t really many resources for people my age, and it’s most commonly diagnosed in women between 20 and 30. Where is everyone?

Anyway, I’m glad I thought of this new idea. I’m definitely going to let it stew a little longer. It’s not like I have tons of time to start something up right now anyway, with both work and school… but it’s something that I could definitely work on soon… I hope! Hmm…

-N.C.

31 Day Reset: Day 28 – My Self-Care Plan

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

In the spirit of focusing on happiness and well-being as we have this past month, Rosetta has asked us to develop a self-care plan of things we will do this next week. It’s a time to sit down and reflect on our mental and physical health.

Here’s what I’ve put together, mostly inspired by what I’ve reflected on through this challenge.

  • go to bed before 11:00 each night
  • be mindful of time spent on social media
  • research cognitive behavioral therapy and make an appointment if it’s a fit
  • make a dentist appointment
  • write one Nonprofit Chapin blog post (sorry for the slew of 31 Day Reset posts, but I hope you’ve enjoyed taking this journey with me!)
  • work on my Reset Project
  • do one nice surprising thing for my boyfriend, like I did on Day 19
  • read for pleasure
  • unfollow negative people on Twitter

I really hope I make the time to focus on these things this week. If not, I know these are some of my highest priority projects in general. It’s good to at least mention them (and even write them out) to help myself be accountable. You have my permission to ask me if I’ve worked on these things, too!

-N.C.

31 Day Reset: Day 27 – Date for One

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

The exercise for Day 27 is to take yourself out on a date. We were to think about the things that make us happy and do them, no matter what anyone said!

I cheated and did this one before I developed my list of 100 things I love. I saw the email (as I am a bit behind on my challenges) and got excited! I knew today would be the perfect day to do something, too, because it’s my last day of break (besides the new years weekend) when my boyfriend was still working, so I knew I’d be able to be in complete control of what happened.

It sounds like no big deal, but I went to a movie by myself. I’ve actually never been to a movie by myself before. Going to a movie feels like a luxury and I’ve never taken that initiative to do it without someone else… but I loved it. Not only did I go to the movie, I bought an icee, popcorn, and candy! I can’t remember the last time I bought popcorn at the movie theater. And I loved it.

This is not necessarily something I’m going to do monthly or anything. But it’s definitely something I had a great time doing and wouldn’t mind doing again. Now I’m going to remember the good time I had doing it and keep it in mind as an option when I need to get away from everything.

-N.C.

P.S. I saw Young Adult – it was better than I thought it would be! It was pretty cute. Nothing groundbreaking, and without having TV I pretty much know nothing about movies that are out right now… but I thought it was worth it! And the $6.50 price for a matinee during the week wasn’t bad, either 🙂

31 Day Reset: Day 26 – List of 100 Things I Love

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I’m participating in the 31 Days to Reset Your Life program at Happy Black Woman. The program is designed to help you evaluate your goals and priorities and think of them in the context of your life today and how you might be able to refocus on what’s important. Read on to learn about my experience with the challenge!

Well, the title of this post is pretty self explanatory! We were to write a list of 100 things we love. There were times when the ideas were flowing and times when it felt impossible. But I’m happy to say I’m done! And, I’m happy to share my list with you! In no particular order…

  1. My boyfriend
  2. My mom
  3. My sister
  4. My family
  5. Dancing
  6. Romantic comedies
  7. Movies that make you think
  8. Sushi
  9. Dark chocolate
  10. Extraordinary Desserts
  11. chocolate and raspberries together
  12. Reese’s pieces
  13. Mariah Carey
  14. Ella Fitzgerald
  15. Billie Holiday
  16. Peppermint white mocha
  17. The smell of Starbucks
  18. Sleeping in
  19. Reading
  20. Cupcakes
  21. The beach
  22. Introspection
  23. Massages
  24. Teriyaki chicken
  25. Christmas
  26. Chocolate chip cookies
  27. Express
  28. Queen
  29. Singing (poorly)
  30. Watching reality TV
  31. Watching the Food Network
  32. Blogging
  33. Writing poetry
  34. Getting a pedicure & manicure
  35. Hillcrest
  36. Mint chocolate chip ice cream
  37. Reading Rosetta Thurman’s writing
  38. Seeing donors connect with nonprofits
  39. Seeing donors happy with what their donation has done
  40. Seeing a boss happy with my work
  41. Ahi tuna
  42. Filet mignon
  43. Beef with broccoli
  44. Strictly Ballroom
  45. I <3 Huckabees
  46. Stranger Than Fiction
  47. Three day weekends
  48. Friday nights
  49. Saturday mornngs
  50. Cherry coke
  51. Glee
  52. Someone doing my hair
  53. Plum wine
  54. Bookstores
  55. Being inside while it’s raining
  56. Gray skies
  57. Farmer’s markets
  58. Corn
  59. Albondigas
  60. Convenient public transportation
  61. Riding a bike
  62. Lift off on a plane ride
  63. Being up high and looking down
  64. Firewords
  65. Wedding ceremonies
  66. Christmas Eve midnight church service
  67. Hearing other people laugh
  68. Finishing a project I’m proud of
  69. Hearing from people who read my blog
  70. Empowering others
  71. When others share their insecurities
  72. Making others think about things from a difference point of view
  73. Peanut butter M&Ms
  74. Giving someone a gift their love
  75. Bowling
  76. White daisies
  77. My sister’s peanut butter chocolate bars
  78. Peppermint bark
  79. Traditions
  80. Writing thank you cards
  81. Sending personal mail
  82. Getting my hair cut
  83. Property Virgins
  84. Being driven around
  85. San Francisco
  86. Ghirardelli Foghorn sundae
  87. Watching my boyfriend karaoke
  88. Alternative Breaks
  89. Cole Higgins Lifelong Service Award
  90. Wine Country burger from Jack’s Prime
  91. When I’m done cleaning the kitchen
  92. Getting a batch of thank you letters out
  93. Getting a good review
  94. Getting a raise
  95. 80s music
  96. Documentaries
  97. Surprising someone
  98. Christmas tree smell
  99. Reading leadership articles
  100. T-shirts

Mind you, that’s in no particular order! So you’ll see random junk food next to heavy work stuff. But it doesn’t matter – it all makes me happy!! I love it all!

-N.C.