Extreme Make-Over: New Brand, New Unity

On June 1, 2011 the nonprofit I co-founded and have served with for the past 6 years–ME³–got a face lift. We revamped our look, launched a new website (which the organization had been in dire need of, thanks to my own NON-uber l33t web skills). Oh yeah, and we also changed our name to Activate Good. On June 1, when our new name, brand, look, and website went live, the board of directors breathed a sigh...

Adventures in Founder’s Syndrome: Like having a baby

At some point a year or two ago, I stopped calling it “my” nonprofit. In conversation I faltered in attempts to come up with new ways of explaining my role with the nonprofit I’d co-founded and led for the past 6 years. “The nonprofit I serve with,” and “The nonprofit I help lead” became new phrases. They were clumsy and a little awkward, still, but the alternative–continuing to call it “my”...

Nonprofit Leadership: 5 Things We Can Learn from Buffy (the Vampire Slayer)

Perhaps like many in my generation, I, too, was a rabid Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan (if you weren’t, you should’ve been. It’s fantastic.). Looking back on how the adventures of this no-nonsense heroine inspired me growing up, I knew I couldn’t avoid blogging my tribute to Buffy. In fact, I think we can learn a lot from The Slayer when it comes to nonprofit leadership. So here it is, my...

The L-Word (Leadership!): It’s a process

Every one supposedly has one of those memorable, life-changing teachers in their lives, and Marshall Butler, my high school choir teacher, was mine. He was hard on me and pushed me to do my best, and saw potential in me I hadn’t even seen yet. During a time I was shy and uncertain and told I could never have what it takes to be a leader, he put me in my first leadership position. As Soprano II Section Leader I...

Case Study: How the Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing everything right

Every once in awhile you stumble upon an organization that blows you away in terms of the way it presents itself, operates, includes others, and succeeds. While I have not yet personally had the opportunity to get involved with The Coalition to Unchain Dogs, I have been an observer of this organization in the community for a few years, ever since I met some of their volunteers at a fundraising walk in Durham,...