Servant leadership is a style of leadership that makes the primary goal of leadership to serve those around oneself. A servant leader is one who is focused on serving one’s colleagues and organization. The question in this episode is whether or not servant leadership is the best form of leadership for today’s nonprofits.

Rob’s guest today is Dan Berger, an author, economist, and the President and CEO of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). You probably didn’t know this, but the NAFCU is actually a nonprofit organization. In fact, all credit unions are nonprofits and separate themselves from banks, in that the members of the credit union own the institution. Credit unions are cooperatives. Whether it’s for-profit or nonprofit organizations, Dan is a firm believer that servant leadership is the right way to go regardless of the sector.

As a servant leader himself, Dan works for his staff, making sure that they have everything they need to make their job as simple as possible. Over the years, he has learned that one of the best ways to do this is to ensure that he never under-communicates with his staff. Lately, COVID has been especially difficult for servant leaders like Dan who fuel great company culture through face-to-face interactions. At the end of the day, leaders like Dan know that the better you treat your colleague’s in the work environment, the better they will treat the customer.

Links to Resources:

Dan Berger: NAFCU | LinkedIn | Twitter

If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org

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Nonprofits are always facing unique challenges, but since COVID-19 hit the world, they are facing financial challenges like never before.

Rob’s guest today is David O’Brien, the author of Building Smart Nonprofits: A Roadmap for Mission Success. In his book, David interviews over 60 leaders in the nonprofit industry, gathering input from leaders, funders, service providers, and more. David has seen first-hand that nonprofit leaders are facing financial challenges unlike any that they’ve faced before. He knows that it’s time for the entire sector to make a change with how it structures its funding model.

As the trends of charity-giving have steadily dropped over the last few years, the nonprofit sector has hit a point where it needs to be restructured, and David believes it has already started. Many of the problems that nonprofits face today require input from multiple perspectives in order to find the right solution. All that being said, as a result of his research, David is very confident that the nonprofit sector will find its way through these challenges to success.

Links to Resources:

Roca (Nonprofit)

The Last Mile (Nonprofit)

David O’Brien: Book | Email

If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org

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Maybe the most unfortunate part about COVID-19 has been its reach. This pandemic is a global one and because of that, people all over the world are feeling the effects.

Rob’s guest today is Dr. Mohamed Ashmawey, the CEO of Human Appeal, a humanitarian development charity that is working to provide aid to those who need it all over the world. With a background in corporations all over the world, Dr. Ashmawey can see from a plethora of different perspectives which helps him when working with a wide variety of different cultures. He knows that both the corporate and nonprofit sectors can learn from each other and that the need for effective and efficient leadership skills is more important than ever. If Dr. Ashmawey could teach leadership around the world one lesson, it would be that change is inevitable, so do not fear it. Instead, adapt to that change.

Launching in 1991, Human Appeal is an international humanitarian and development charity that started in Manchester, England. With 29 years’ of experience, working in 17 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East to alleviate poverty, they have become highly respected for working in some of the most dangerous and hostile places in the world; from Yemen, to Syria and Somalia. They also provide services in Macedonia, Sri Lanka and South East Asian, Myanmar, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, Palestine, Kashmeer, Lebanon and Turkey.

Links to Resources:
Human Appeal

If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org

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COVID-19 has wrecked the main source of donations for many nonprofits, that being, in-person fundraising events. How are nonprofit leaders meeting this challenge head-on?

Rob’s guest today is Doug Ulman, the President and CEO of Pelotonia, a 3-day cycling event that aims to raise funds for cancer research. Doug was diagnosed with cancer when he was in college, and like most, he was caught off-guard. That life shift led him to aim his efforts at making a difference for those affected by cancer because everyone is in one way or another. Just like other nonprofits and businesses around the world, COVID-19 has brought new challenges to Pelotonia that Doug is currently working to battle right now.

Founded back in 2008, Pelotonia has been able to raise over $207M in only it’s first 11 rides. This event gives communities a chance to mobilize, volunteer, and fight cancer together. Right now, Pelotonia is working on transferring its fundraiser to an online one while simultaneously planning for an in-person event next year. Now more than ever, leaders in the nonprofit sector must become innovative with how they plan their traditionally in-person fundraising events to continue to help those in need!

Links to Resources:

Pelotonia: Website Instagram

Doug Ulman: Twitter Instagram Facebook

If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at rob@ccofpc.org
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Ask yourself this question: do I consider a company’s stance on various issues before I decide to purchase its product or service?

Rob’s guest today is Chris Marquis, the professor of Global Sustainable Enterprise at Cornell University and author of Better Business. In his book, Chris outlines how B Corporations are remaking capitalism before our very eyes. B Corps believe in a new triple bottom line: people, planet, and profits. Through a nonprofit called The B Lab, these corporations are verified all over the world in an attempt to shift the business landscape into one that is more socially responsible.

B Corps are defined as companies that balance profit and purpose through social and environmental performance. These verified corporations work to be managed as responsibly as possible to achieve a social mission through business. Right now, over 90% of millennials and 64% of consumers overall consider themselves to be belief-driven buyers. In a time when social consciousness is at an all-time high, it is more important than ever for industry leaders to use their positions of power to change the world for the better!

Links to Resources:

She Geeks Out

Practice Makes Perfect

B Corporation

Chris Marquis: Website Book

If you have questions or want to come on the show, email Rob at: rob@ccofpc.org

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