Know why you want to change your name, image and logo. What is the new image you want to portray? Youth? Movement? Freedom? Are there any negative perceptions that you want to overcome? How do you dispel the perceptions that
Clarify and agree — in writing!
Back in the 1980s, when I was a very young manager of a new Center in Kansas, the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s regional office brought in a speaker named John Conway to talk to centers and other RSA funded entities about
Tips for Boards — Evaluating the Executive Director
There are several elements to a good evaluation. Let me mention those first. I like to see evaluations which: Make sure that the evaluation is a good match for the job description. You may even want to go through job
New Executive Director? Do you really want to change that?
Every new executive director wants to make their mark. Take the time, though, to make sure that the change is what is really needed at this time. Here are some radical changes that Executive Directors sometimes make, and my comments
Do your bylaws include these fifteen important elements?
From time to time I get requests for sample bylaws or bylaws content for CILs. I don’t have any samples, mainly because there are no hard and fast national rules and the state requirements vary somewhat state to state. I
A few basics about planning
There isn’t a single way to write a strategic plan. We suggest that the CIL set goals and objectives that are measurable, and result in measurable outcomes. If you search for “outcomes” on our website at http://www.ilru.org you will find
Business Agility – how to approach your operations in a flexible, responsive manner.
Business agility is closely related to something called “agile project management”, an approach to constantly reassess and adjust priorities and being flexible as the circumstances change, so that you maximize your desired outcomes.Think about it — we live in a
How to have an effective relationship between the Board Chair and the Executive Director
There are specific dynamics to every relationship. There are people in your life who make you bristle just by coming into the room. Others make you smile when you think of them. Some share your sense of humor and you
If “Lean” is your dream – How can you grow your center with minimal staff and funding?
We provide considerable information on how to raise money, develop fee for service projects, and partner with funders for other than Independent Living funds. The struggle is getting it done. Everyone is already busy. Who has time to plan and
What is in a name?
If your center staff and board have worked on your mission and vision lately, you probably had this conversation. “The community doesn’t understand what a Center for Independent Living is. They want to drop off their elderly relative and have