Nonprofit organizations - Now is the time to condemn the attack on our democracy

As a nonprofit communications leader, consultant, and volunteer, I've had several conversations about the attack on Capitol Hill yesterday, and what the response from mission-driven organizations should look like.

What we witnessed yesterday is an attack on our democracy, and stain on our history. No matter what your nonprofit mission is, you owe it to your staff, your supporters, and the people you serve to condemn it publicly and call for accountability.

And if you're thinking, "But I'm a nonpartisan organization!" or "What happened yesterday doesn't have anything to do with our nonprofit's focus!", stop what you're doing and read the National Audubon Society's statement on the Capitol attack. If an organization that works to PROTECT BIRDS can issue a clear and enlightening statement on this attack on our democracy, there's nothing stopping your organization from publicly condemning what happened AND calling for accountability like the Audubon folks did.

It IS possible to be in relationship with people of different political ideologies and hold them accountable for their participation in this. That's what love is - calling someone in so they know they made a mistake and caused harm, and so they can avoid doing it again.

If that's not enough to convince you, I'll share that, in ten years, your donor base will be comprised primarily of Millennials, the people who lived through this event. Will they want to support you in the future if you didn't take a strong enough stance to condemn the violence that's happening right now?

Hope this helps. Go forth and make your stance known, my fellow do-gooders!

[Image description: An illustrated white dove flies across a blue background, with the following words in the foreground: Love thy neighbor and hold them accountable." The Marta Rusek logo appears in the lower righthand corner.]