A Message from our President

Spring 2016

Hello Friend!

Spring is well on its way to summer around here, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. There is so much happening, even the ground is sending forth new growth. I know it may be a bit cliché, but this new energy is visible everywhere, not just in the garden. But, that did get me thinking…read about my garden musings in the article below.

While you are here, please review our position posting for Executive Director with North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and join us in congratulating Megan Roberts, the new volunteer coordinator at Postpartum Education and Support. Spread the word - these organizations are growing, too!

In the meantime, stop by your local farmer’s market for some fresh veggies and berries, dig your toes in the cool grass, and enjoy the sun (and rain) that refreshes our surroundings. And, when you come back inside and have a minute free at your desk, drop me a note to let me know how you are doing.

Always,
Sherry

________________________________________________

Current Searches

North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NCAFCC)

• Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer - Winston-Salem, NC

________________________________________________

Article of the Month

Word count: 300
Approximate Reading Time: 2 Minutes

From Seeds to Harvest

by Sherry Heuser

This time of year is garden time. Vegetables that were started weeks ago in greenhouses have been transplanted to fields and are now being harvested. Berries are coming into season. Even if you never get your hands dirty, you can’t escape the photos of fresh-from-the-garden deliciousness tempting us from every social media site, magazine cover, and restaurant menu.

As I scan these images and savor the results of my own work, I am reminded of the adage: You reap what you sow. Personally, whether it's the soul-warming happiness gained from giving someone a special gift or the karmic slap of realizing poor planning has resulted in a missed opportunity, consequences of our actions can be a powerful influence. We hope to learn from our experiences.

Professionally, too, we need to carefully consider what goes into our "garden", if we hope to have a bountiful harvest. We recognize this when building community connections, cultivating donors, or advancing our mission. Comparing it with gardening, I came up with these thoughts:

• Choose your seeds: Not all plants are likely to succeed in all climates, and not all donors will become legacy givers. Every partner and idea may be worth considering, but only those with the right fit will move forward successfully. Do your research before you begin.
• Prepare your soil: Plants don’t grow well in rocky terrain. Donors who aren’t provided with a foundation and connection to your mission won’t thrive. New endeavors and programs without evidence-based structure won’t succeed. Be sure to provide solid grounding on which to hang your strategies.
• Nourish your seedlings: Water, sunshine, warmth, nutrients, and air are critical to develop seedlings into full-sized plants. Continued cultivation through multiple opportunities keeps donors and colleagues involved, interested, and growing. Ongoing support and attention will allow you to enhance, extend, and evolve your services.

In the end, we all know it takes work to make a program successful, much like the effort needed to grow a crop from seed to harvest.

Bottom Line: With the right selection, proper preparation, and regular care, your organization’s relationships and mission will grow.

Sherry Heuser is president of Capability Company Consulting, a Raleigh, N.C.-based firm supporting nonprofit organizations' searches for key hires.

Back to Top

________________________________________________

Event Calendar

Visit the current calendar of events on our website.

________________________________________________