Are you ready to learn about another amazing organization where you can make a difference? Good! Today's service opportunity is Better World Books.
In short: Better World Books is a U.S. based online book seller. The Better World Books mission statement is “to capitalize on the value of the book to fund and support literacy initiatives locally, nationally, and around the world.” They raise funding for over 80 non-profit literacy programs. They have collected over 24 million books, raised over US$6.4 million for non-profit literacy programs, US$1.2 million for libraries and US$850,000 for student groups. BWB's primary literay partners are Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, the National Center for Family Literacy, and Invisible Children. By operating as a social venture, BWB provides its non-profit partners with a consistent and stable source of unrestricted funding, so they can focus on inplementing programs in literacy and education, rather than spending all of their time raising funds.
So, what can an individual do? First, you can buy books from BWB. The money from books that are sold creates a stream of funding to help the non-profit partners. Second, you can run a book drive! Many donated books are passed directly to the partners, while some are sold. BWB finds the best possible use for each book. Any books deemed unsuitable for sale or partner use are recycled.
For more information or to purchase books, go to www.betterworldbooks.com. To get more information on how you can organize a book drive on campus, go to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/Info-Get-Started-m-27.aspx. You can also find more information about donating books by clicking on the "reuse first" link at the top of the main screen.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Summary of Chronicle of Philanthropy Live Discussion: Breaking Into a Career in the Non-Profit World
Today, I participated in an hour long chat about ways in which people (recent college graduates and working professionals alike) can break into the non-profit sector. Below are a few key points of interest, along with my personal commentary.
Point 1- How do you go about obtaining a job in NYC or D.C. if you are not from the East Coast?
Answer: Word of mouth will be a great way to get your foot in the door. Another suggestion is to find a long weekend and some friends in the city so that you can head out for a few days to do informational interviews or office visits just so that they have the opportunity to meet you. Personal connections are key! Also, highlight your passion for the organization, and how your passion for this cause is so great that you would move to a new city.
Thoughts: As is often the case, networking is key. If you don't have any connections in those larger cities, you have a few options. First, if your cause is national or international, just getting more involved in the organization could be helpful. Let's take March of Dimes as an example. If you are involved in your local chapter, perhaps you can work with the chapter to organize a larger scale project or fundraiser. If you are successful and other chapters start to take notice, this might give you a leg up when job hunting in this larger cities, as the chapter directors can give you excellent letters of recommendation, and contact chapter directors in larger cities on your behalf. At the very least, it's a great accomplishment to put on your resume.
If your exact organization doesn't exist at that large level, still work to carry out a fundriasing campaign or program for a cause you are passionate about, as it can translate to similar organizations.
Point 2- If you are fortunate enough to land a entry-level job in the non-profit sector, what steps can you take to make it a career?
Answer: Keep educating yourself by reading and participating in professional development, document what you're accomplishing, build strong ties to your local professional community through networking, keep looking for new skills to build and hone, ask for honest feedback from the people you work with, and set goals.
The most important thing is to do a rackstar job in your current position, even if it involves a lot of "grunt work." Be as productive, creative and innovative as you can in the projects you’re responsible for. Then take it up even one more notch. If you do the kind of work that people can’t help but remember, it will reap benefits for you over and over when you need recommendations for other jobs, or are looking for other opportunities.
Another way to make new contacts is to volunteer with other organizations in your field. I once volunteered to staff the registration table at an event just so I could meet the organization's CEO and mingle with the staff so I could have a better chance of getting a job there. It was a great way to build relationships with the right people so that when my resume crossed their desk, they already would know who I was.
Start a YNPN in your area, if one doesn't already exist. That would be a great way to gain experience, grow your network, and have an incredible opportunity to build the network.
Thoughts: This was a lengthy segment of the chat, but one that provided a lot of good insights. A lot of people have the misconception that non-profit work is easy, and doesn't require much thought or a developed skill set. Nothing could be further from the truth; you really have to put a lot of time and energy into your work! Another piece of advice thatr came up was joining the Board of Directors for an Organization- this is a volunteer position, but gives those involved the opportunity to learn new skills (such as fundraising and grantwriting), and demonstrate leadership skills.
Point 3- Since many applicants have volunteer experience, leadership skills, advanced degrees, etc, what is the best way for young people just entering the non-proit sector to stand out from the competition?
Answer: Here again is where word of mouth and personal recommendations are key. Make networking a priority (through volunteering, board service, events) so that you can develop those relationships that will help move your resume from the masses to the top of the pile.
Nonprofits look to their pools of volunteers and interns and then to pools of volunteers and interns at partner organizations when they are looking to fill positions. So, if you want to play the number, get out there and get involved. This will be the single-most effective way to "stand out".
There is a ton of competition with recent grads that have stellar education and experiences as you described. But most of them don't frame it well and get tossed out with the others. Specifically regarding volunteer experience, if you have volunteered at a nonprofit similar to the one you're applying to or for a related cause, by all means list it on your resume. It shows that you have a passion for that particular arena and that you're already familiar with the kind of work the organization does. When listing your volunteer experiences, be sure to highlight any leadership role you played. On your resume you should mention that you coordinated all of the other volunteers, or started a project from the ground up in an unpaid capacity. These kinds of examples show the organization what you'd be capable of doing if they were to hire you.
Thoughts: This was my question, and it really made me think about the kind of work I do with non-profits. I do volunteer A LOT (as anyone who knows me will attest), but while I take on leadership positions in CKI, I don't necessarily take on leadership roles in the organizations with which I volunteer. So, I think the key points here are 1). Volunteer with a variety of organizations to get your name out, 2). Intern, and 3). Pick at least one (but not more than a few) organizations in areas you are very passionate about, and get more involved. If you like working with Boy or Girl Scouts for instance, volunteer regularly with their programs, create your own program or presentation that you can present to troops, or become an assistant troop leader.
Also, if you are interning- make sure that you do more than just fulfill administrative tasks! The point of an internship is to give you experience at a variety of levels within a particular organization. You should be able to develop programs, sit in on meetings to see how the organization is governed, learn grantwriting/fundraising techniques, and anything else that could be useful when looking for a job in the non-profit sector.
Point 4- Should you get a Master's, or not?
Answer: For the kinds of entry-level positions in which recent college grads are usually placed, a Master's degree is not required. But if you want to move up in the nonprofit field quickly and earn a higher salary, explore going back to school for a Master's degree.
Especially for young nonprofit professionals in particular, a lack of extensive work experience can keep you from obtaining positions of leadership in the nonprofit field. Organizations that are concerned that you haven't "paid your dues" may in fact respect your advanced education enough to offer you an upper management position. While you may not learn everything through a graduate degree program, the prestige affords you the kind of legitimacy that as a nonprofit professional it would normally take years to attain.
Thoughts: I think it's especially important for young people who haven't worked much to get a Master's. Depending on your undergraduate major, you may not have much experience with fundraising, PR, management, budgeting, web design, grantwriting, programming, and the like. You may not have extensively volunteered or interned. In this case, a Master's will help- IF you do it for the right reasons. If you pursue a Master's to avoid the "real world" for a few more years or because you can't find a job and are bored, you will most likely be dissatisfied, and it will be a waste of time and money. Evaluate why you want a Master's before you apply to the program.
To view the complete transcript of the chat, check out http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/10/career_in_nonprofit/
Point 1- How do you go about obtaining a job in NYC or D.C. if you are not from the East Coast?
Answer: Word of mouth will be a great way to get your foot in the door. Another suggestion is to find a long weekend and some friends in the city so that you can head out for a few days to do informational interviews or office visits just so that they have the opportunity to meet you. Personal connections are key! Also, highlight your passion for the organization, and how your passion for this cause is so great that you would move to a new city.
Thoughts: As is often the case, networking is key. If you don't have any connections in those larger cities, you have a few options. First, if your cause is national or international, just getting more involved in the organization could be helpful. Let's take March of Dimes as an example. If you are involved in your local chapter, perhaps you can work with the chapter to organize a larger scale project or fundraiser. If you are successful and other chapters start to take notice, this might give you a leg up when job hunting in this larger cities, as the chapter directors can give you excellent letters of recommendation, and contact chapter directors in larger cities on your behalf. At the very least, it's a great accomplishment to put on your resume.
If your exact organization doesn't exist at that large level, still work to carry out a fundriasing campaign or program for a cause you are passionate about, as it can translate to similar organizations.
Point 2- If you are fortunate enough to land a entry-level job in the non-profit sector, what steps can you take to make it a career?
Answer: Keep educating yourself by reading and participating in professional development, document what you're accomplishing, build strong ties to your local professional community through networking, keep looking for new skills to build and hone, ask for honest feedback from the people you work with, and set goals.
The most important thing is to do a rackstar job in your current position, even if it involves a lot of "grunt work." Be as productive, creative and innovative as you can in the projects you’re responsible for. Then take it up even one more notch. If you do the kind of work that people can’t help but remember, it will reap benefits for you over and over when you need recommendations for other jobs, or are looking for other opportunities.
Another way to make new contacts is to volunteer with other organizations in your field. I once volunteered to staff the registration table at an event just so I could meet the organization's CEO and mingle with the staff so I could have a better chance of getting a job there. It was a great way to build relationships with the right people so that when my resume crossed their desk, they already would know who I was.
Start a YNPN in your area, if one doesn't already exist. That would be a great way to gain experience, grow your network, and have an incredible opportunity to build the network.
Thoughts: This was a lengthy segment of the chat, but one that provided a lot of good insights. A lot of people have the misconception that non-profit work is easy, and doesn't require much thought or a developed skill set. Nothing could be further from the truth; you really have to put a lot of time and energy into your work! Another piece of advice thatr came up was joining the Board of Directors for an Organization- this is a volunteer position, but gives those involved the opportunity to learn new skills (such as fundraising and grantwriting), and demonstrate leadership skills.
Point 3- Since many applicants have volunteer experience, leadership skills, advanced degrees, etc, what is the best way for young people just entering the non-proit sector to stand out from the competition?
Answer: Here again is where word of mouth and personal recommendations are key. Make networking a priority (through volunteering, board service, events) so that you can develop those relationships that will help move your resume from the masses to the top of the pile.
Nonprofits look to their pools of volunteers and interns and then to pools of volunteers and interns at partner organizations when they are looking to fill positions. So, if you want to play the number, get out there and get involved. This will be the single-most effective way to "stand out".
There is a ton of competition with recent grads that have stellar education and experiences as you described. But most of them don't frame it well and get tossed out with the others. Specifically regarding volunteer experience, if you have volunteered at a nonprofit similar to the one you're applying to or for a related cause, by all means list it on your resume. It shows that you have a passion for that particular arena and that you're already familiar with the kind of work the organization does. When listing your volunteer experiences, be sure to highlight any leadership role you played. On your resume you should mention that you coordinated all of the other volunteers, or started a project from the ground up in an unpaid capacity. These kinds of examples show the organization what you'd be capable of doing if they were to hire you.
Thoughts: This was my question, and it really made me think about the kind of work I do with non-profits. I do volunteer A LOT (as anyone who knows me will attest), but while I take on leadership positions in CKI, I don't necessarily take on leadership roles in the organizations with which I volunteer. So, I think the key points here are 1). Volunteer with a variety of organizations to get your name out, 2). Intern, and 3). Pick at least one (but not more than a few) organizations in areas you are very passionate about, and get more involved. If you like working with Boy or Girl Scouts for instance, volunteer regularly with their programs, create your own program or presentation that you can present to troops, or become an assistant troop leader.
Also, if you are interning- make sure that you do more than just fulfill administrative tasks! The point of an internship is to give you experience at a variety of levels within a particular organization. You should be able to develop programs, sit in on meetings to see how the organization is governed, learn grantwriting/fundraising techniques, and anything else that could be useful when looking for a job in the non-profit sector.
Point 4- Should you get a Master's, or not?
Answer: For the kinds of entry-level positions in which recent college grads are usually placed, a Master's degree is not required. But if you want to move up in the nonprofit field quickly and earn a higher salary, explore going back to school for a Master's degree.
Especially for young nonprofit professionals in particular, a lack of extensive work experience can keep you from obtaining positions of leadership in the nonprofit field. Organizations that are concerned that you haven't "paid your dues" may in fact respect your advanced education enough to offer you an upper management position. While you may not learn everything through a graduate degree program, the prestige affords you the kind of legitimacy that as a nonprofit professional it would normally take years to attain.
Thoughts: I think it's especially important for young people who haven't worked much to get a Master's. Depending on your undergraduate major, you may not have much experience with fundraising, PR, management, budgeting, web design, grantwriting, programming, and the like. You may not have extensively volunteered or interned. In this case, a Master's will help- IF you do it for the right reasons. If you pursue a Master's to avoid the "real world" for a few more years or because you can't find a job and are bored, you will most likely be dissatisfied, and it will be a waste of time and money. Evaluate why you want a Master's before you apply to the program.
To view the complete transcript of the chat, check out http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/10/career_in_nonprofit/
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Importance of Direct Action
Recently, I came across two very different, yet equally interesting articles about blogging. The first post by Nisha Chittal (http://politicoholic.com/2009/03/02/25-ways-to-use-your-blog-and-social-media-to-create-change/ ) gives readers twenty-five suggestions about different ways one can use blogs and social media to create change. All of these suggestions are certainly useful for those entering the world of professional blogging for the first time. After reading the blog post, I scrolled through the comments section, and found one to be rather intriguing. The poster, DemiOrator, commented that perhaps a rewrite of the suggestions was in order, and posted a link to his list of suggestions at http://demiorator.blogspot.com/2009/04/25-ways-to-change-society.html. While I don't agree with all of his specific suggestions, I must say that his emphasis on action is extremely important, and one with which I can agree completely.
In our modern world, few can deny the importance of the written word, especially in the non-profit sector. People write letters asking for donations to a charitable organization. They circulate petitions, post advice, and link to websites about all sorts of charitable causes. You can even join facebook groups dedicated to particular causes. None of this is bad, of course. However, it is important to remember that reading about a cause or reading posts about an issue isn't the same as doing something about the issue. Yes, it's a good way to become more informed. Yes, it can assuage your conscience and make you feel that you are doing something valuable. However, there is no substitute for direct action. To take an extremely obvious example, lets examine the issue of hunger. Is it more productive to read an article about hunger in the world, or should you spend your time in a local soup kitchen working to alleviate hunger?
There will always be some people who dislike direct action, for a number of reasons. It's far easier, safer, and more comfortable to read posts and articles online than to go out into the world and face problems head on. When one is removed from the reality of the situation, these pressing issues somehow become less urgent, and it is easy to lose focus and get distracted by petty matters. Others simply feel uncomfortable volunteering; they prefer to remain behind the scenes, and not directly work with the people whom they serve. Others might argue that they have no time in which to volunteer, so blogging is as much as they can do.
Again, I would like to reiterate that it is not wrong to research, blog about issues, or work behind the scenes, and all of the above are useful and good in their own right. However, one can't lose focus on the key point of non-profits: serving others. Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Whether you are involved in research, administration, fundraising, or some other aspect of an organization, make sure to take the time to go out and physically help others, whether through building a home, mentoring, packaging meals, or anything else. You don't need to stage a radical protest (as the author of the self-proclaimed radical/activist blog stated), but you do need to be willing to have an open mind and heart open to others.
Final thought of the night- if, over the weekend, you find yourself thinking about poverty, the problems within inner-city schools, pollution, or any other issue, stop for a minute. Ask yourself, "what can I do to go help alleviate this problem right now?" Then go do it! This can be as simple as going through your cupboards to find canned goods to donate, or taking the time to help a child improve his or her reading skills. It doesn't matter how small and insignificant the action may seem to you; to others, it means a world of difference.
In our modern world, few can deny the importance of the written word, especially in the non-profit sector. People write letters asking for donations to a charitable organization. They circulate petitions, post advice, and link to websites about all sorts of charitable causes. You can even join facebook groups dedicated to particular causes. None of this is bad, of course. However, it is important to remember that reading about a cause or reading posts about an issue isn't the same as doing something about the issue. Yes, it's a good way to become more informed. Yes, it can assuage your conscience and make you feel that you are doing something valuable. However, there is no substitute for direct action. To take an extremely obvious example, lets examine the issue of hunger. Is it more productive to read an article about hunger in the world, or should you spend your time in a local soup kitchen working to alleviate hunger?
There will always be some people who dislike direct action, for a number of reasons. It's far easier, safer, and more comfortable to read posts and articles online than to go out into the world and face problems head on. When one is removed from the reality of the situation, these pressing issues somehow become less urgent, and it is easy to lose focus and get distracted by petty matters. Others simply feel uncomfortable volunteering; they prefer to remain behind the scenes, and not directly work with the people whom they serve. Others might argue that they have no time in which to volunteer, so blogging is as much as they can do.
Again, I would like to reiterate that it is not wrong to research, blog about issues, or work behind the scenes, and all of the above are useful and good in their own right. However, one can't lose focus on the key point of non-profits: serving others. Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Whether you are involved in research, administration, fundraising, or some other aspect of an organization, make sure to take the time to go out and physically help others, whether through building a home, mentoring, packaging meals, or anything else. You don't need to stage a radical protest (as the author of the self-proclaimed radical/activist blog stated), but you do need to be willing to have an open mind and heart open to others.
Final thought of the night- if, over the weekend, you find yourself thinking about poverty, the problems within inner-city schools, pollution, or any other issue, stop for a minute. Ask yourself, "what can I do to go help alleviate this problem right now?" Then go do it! This can be as simple as going through your cupboards to find canned goods to donate, or taking the time to help a child improve his or her reading skills. It doesn't matter how small and insignificant the action may seem to you; to others, it means a world of difference.
Resources
Many years ago when I was in elementary school, I completed several assignments which involved research of some sort: either we had to learn about a country, bats, or some other random topic. In my earliest elementary school years I didn't have access to the world wide web at home (hard to believe, I know). Thus, I limited my research to Grolier and Encarta encyclopedias (the software came with our computer- yet another relic of the past), and the good old-fashioned library. I got the information I needed, but who knows what I could have learned from online resources.
My point in this little anecdote is that although libraries and such are still useful resources for everything, there are a ton of great websites, blogs, and e-books available via the internet for anyone interested in the non-profit sector. Here are just a few of my favorites that I've recently discovered:
http://www.change.org/: has a variety of articles, videos, blogposts, etc dedicated to a variety of social issues, including human trafficking, women's rights, social entrepreneurship, global warming, and more. The site also includes job listings, which is also useful.
www.idealist.org: In the words of the people who run the site, "Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives." On the site you can find links to different groups, volunteer/internship/job opportunities, learn more about the non-profit sector as a whole, and read more insightful blogs. This brings me to...
http://www.idealist.org/en/career/guide/firsttime/fullbook.html: this is a link to idealist.org's Guide to Non-profit Careers for First Time Job Seekers. If you are even remotely interested in going into the field (or heck, getting a job in any field) READ THIS BOOK. It contains advice about resumes, networking and interviews (here geared towards non-profits, but applicable to any field), and also helps you to pinpoint exactly what you want to do in the sector, how to increase your appeal to employers, and how to best go about searching for non-profit job opportunities. It even contains information about starting your own non-profit. It is available to download for free, or you can obtain a physical copy for the cost of binding.
http://rosettathurman.com/: Rosetta is a member of the Millenial generation who is passionate about promoting next generation leadership for social change. She shares nonprofit career advice for young professionals, is a contributer to Jobs for Change (see the first link I listed). Her blog topics range from how to use social media for networking purposes, to developing leadership skills, to issues facing women and minorities in the non-profit sector. This was one of the first sites I stumbled upon when I decided I wanted to go into non-profit work, and I found her posts to be interesting and very helpful.
www.ynpn.org: The Young Non-Profit Professional Group engages and supports future nonprofit leaders through professional development, networking, and social opportunities. Like other young professional groups, this is a great way to network and have the opportunity to pursue professional development events. This is a fairly young organization, so not all areas have a chapter. If you go to the "chapter" tab, you can see if there is one in your area. If there's not and you want to start one, there's an e-mail link for that. For those of you in the Grand Rapids area, good news: a chapter already exists! I haven't joined it yet, but I plan on doing so within the next year.
http://www.gryp.org/: Grand Rapids Young Professionals. While not tailored specifically to those in the non-profit sector, this particular chapter (and probably many others) has a wide variety of professional development programs, volunteer opportunities, and other resources. More general young professional groups are also more widespread than the non-profit groups. Thus, if you're not in GR, try searching for a young professionals organization in your city.
I think it's important to note that there are many more resources than what I've listed here. While I won't list every single blog or every non-profit organization's personal website, I would love to know if you have found any resources that are especially helpful, whether related specifically to non-profit organizations, or simply related to career development in general. If so, feel free to leave a comment.
By the way, I want to give a shout out to the people I know who have read this blog thus far. Thank you! It means a lot to me that you are taking the time to read it, and I definitely appreciate your support and input.
My point in this little anecdote is that although libraries and such are still useful resources for everything, there are a ton of great websites, blogs, and e-books available via the internet for anyone interested in the non-profit sector. Here are just a few of my favorites that I've recently discovered:
http://www.change.org/: has a variety of articles, videos, blogposts, etc dedicated to a variety of social issues, including human trafficking, women's rights, social entrepreneurship, global warming, and more. The site also includes job listings, which is also useful.
www.idealist.org: In the words of the people who run the site, "Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives." On the site you can find links to different groups, volunteer/internship/job opportunities, learn more about the non-profit sector as a whole, and read more insightful blogs. This brings me to...
http://www.idealist.org/en/career/guide/firsttime/fullbook.html: this is a link to idealist.org's Guide to Non-profit Careers for First Time Job Seekers. If you are even remotely interested in going into the field (or heck, getting a job in any field) READ THIS BOOK. It contains advice about resumes, networking and interviews (here geared towards non-profits, but applicable to any field), and also helps you to pinpoint exactly what you want to do in the sector, how to increase your appeal to employers, and how to best go about searching for non-profit job opportunities. It even contains information about starting your own non-profit. It is available to download for free, or you can obtain a physical copy for the cost of binding.
http://rosettathurman.com/: Rosetta is a member of the Millenial generation who is passionate about promoting next generation leadership for social change. She shares nonprofit career advice for young professionals, is a contributer to Jobs for Change (see the first link I listed). Her blog topics range from how to use social media for networking purposes, to developing leadership skills, to issues facing women and minorities in the non-profit sector. This was one of the first sites I stumbled upon when I decided I wanted to go into non-profit work, and I found her posts to be interesting and very helpful.
www.ynpn.org: The Young Non-Profit Professional Group engages and supports future nonprofit leaders through professional development, networking, and social opportunities. Like other young professional groups, this is a great way to network and have the opportunity to pursue professional development events. This is a fairly young organization, so not all areas have a chapter. If you go to the "chapter" tab, you can see if there is one in your area. If there's not and you want to start one, there's an e-mail link for that. For those of you in the Grand Rapids area, good news: a chapter already exists! I haven't joined it yet, but I plan on doing so within the next year.
http://www.gryp.org/: Grand Rapids Young Professionals. While not tailored specifically to those in the non-profit sector, this particular chapter (and probably many others) has a wide variety of professional development programs, volunteer opportunities, and other resources. More general young professional groups are also more widespread than the non-profit groups. Thus, if you're not in GR, try searching for a young professionals organization in your city.
I think it's important to note that there are many more resources than what I've listed here. While I won't list every single blog or every non-profit organization's personal website, I would love to know if you have found any resources that are especially helpful, whether related specifically to non-profit organizations, or simply related to career development in general. If so, feel free to leave a comment.
By the way, I want to give a shout out to the people I know who have read this blog thus far. Thank you! It means a lot to me that you are taking the time to read it, and I definitely appreciate your support and input.
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