Tuesday Thoughts | 14 November 2023 | Planning for Kindness and Generosity

A few months ago, I heard an adage “Nice is not always kind” and it really struck a chord; I aspire to be nice to people, but at the end of the day, I also believe there is an important intersection between authenticity and honesty and the idea that ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’.

Over the last few years, I have consciously looked for opportunities to say something nice to each person I encounter, sometimes its easy, other times – not so much; like any practice, it has gotten easier with time, and somewhere along the way I shifted from trying to be “nice” to everyone, to being brave enough to say the really gooey stuff when it comes to mind.

As we marked World Kindness Day yesterday I began to think about where this idea of kindness, and by extension generosity, meets the human compulsion to be of service and impact on our community and on our world. For me this idea of impact is baked into many of my conscious actions – particularly since earlier this year when I set a mission statement for myself to: To Change The World, By Inspiring Actions, That Amplify My Impact.

I like to think that one of the small ways I can inspire those actions, is by simply being encouraging of the positive actions people are already taking; telling someone about why I admire something they are doing, or a strength they are demonstrating, even when it all seems a bit ‘personal’ is the risk I have decided I am willing to take to further my mission and work.

Just last week, I told a virtual stranger that I admire their leadership style – this might have been a bit self serving as I was highlighting a trait I also work hard to demonstrate; I told a long time colleague that I admire their parenting style – which is a bit more ‘out there’ when one considers my only real experience with parenting was in having been parented; and encouraged a close friend to stretch their comfort zone in an area where I already have all the confidence in the world in their inevitable success.

This idea of planning and practicing kindness, I believe extends to planning and practicing generosity; first and foremost, the generosity of being willing to risk looking a bit silly in our kindness practice, but also in the broader context of more traditional generosity.

Last week I attended my first CSAE conference as a past-board member and found this was an interesting launching point into discussions with other Not-for-Profit industry professionals about how we choose where and how to give of our time and talents as volunteers. Just a couple of days ago I was advised of my appointment to the Board of the Alumni Association at my Alma Mater , and with that, I think I have a nicely rounded grouping of opportunities to make impact using my particular set of skills, and experiences, and leveraging my interests and what matters to me.

In anticipation of #GivingTuesday2023 being marked on the 28th of this month, I have prepared a guide to planning end-of-year financial and in-kind donations: Thoughts on Giving Tuesday: Your Generosity Pre-Planning Guide For Aspiring Impact Makers (now available for download on my website ); its all of my thoughts and wisdom on how donors might think about selecting and assessing charities to support during this winter season of giving.

In two weeks, to mark Giving Tuesday, I’ll be doing a deeper dive into my charities of choice and why I give where I do; next week I’ll be hosting an AMA on LinkedIn Audio (make sure we’re connected or you’re following my profile for all the details) to help answer any additional questions that you might have arising from reviewing the guide or starting to do your own research.

Until then, I’d like to tell you dear reader about some of the insights I found myself sharing with my fellow Association Industry leaders, about the important act of volunteerism. While we might be ‘insiders’ in the space, I know – because I get asked all the time – that figuring out what to do with your most precious resource (your time) is a concern beyond the paid workforce of the sector.

Should I Jump On (the) Board? Here’s the harsh truth, not everyone is cut out for being a board member, in fact – despite how it might look from the outside – being on the board is the most boring work of an organization (unless you are either a finance or governance nerd).

There are learned skills and training that everyone will need at some point in their volunteer journey in order to be an effective board member, but its ok if you’d rather get your hands into the work – one of the most popular refrains about the appropriate work of board is ‘nose in, fingers out’ if that’s not your style there is still much work for many hands to make lighter.

What Do You (Danielle) Look for In a Board to Join? Here’s another hard truth, being a board member is risky, not just to your emotional well-being (there is nothing worse than being obligated to do something you care little to nothing about), but also financially, legally and reputationally.

First, and foremost, you need to be asking about insurance – D&O (Directors and Officers) and E&O (Errors and Omissions) right up front, in the very first conversation – as a board member who is partially liable for all actions of the organization, you’ll also want to ensure that the organization has general liability coverage where appropriate, and likely cyber coverage as well. If you are unsure, you can ask to speak to the organization’s Insurance Broker.

I also look for a trust trifecta, the cause, the staff, and my (prospective) peers on the board. I ask myself, is this an issue or cause I care about more than those I will need to say ‘no’ to because I said ‘yes’ to this one? Do I like and respect the staff, and have confidence that the advice and information they are providing to the board will allow me to make informed decisions? And, most importantly, do I like and respect the other board members, because we become a single unit in our responsibility to the organization?

What Else Can Go Wrong? Its important – which is why the trust trifecta is something I look for – to give yourself the best possible chance to avoid the ‘individual and several’ liability that may be experienced by all board members in carrying out their duties. If something goes wrong you may be personally responsible for a portion of the costs associated with rectifying outstanding payroll, paying fines, or closing/bankruptcy costs, etc.

At this point, in addition to recommending you speak to an insurance professional, I need to remind you dear reader that I am not a lawyer – nor have I ever played one on TV – a corporate lawyer, particularly one with expertise in Not-for-Profit law is someone you want to consult if you are not comfortable making these assessments on your own.

There is an added layer of responsibility for those who choose to volunteer their time as directors of organizations with Charitable Status (at least here in Canada, where I am familiar with our system), and extra care should be taken to be aware of reporting obligations and filing requirements.

So Why Volunteer to Be on A Board? The board is responsible for the overall strategy and sustainability of an organization, and while it is a big responsibility, it is also the place where you have the best chance of making organization wide impact.

Don’t forget there are many ways to give, and matching your available, time, talents and resources to the opportunities is a bit of an art – one I will be exploring in a Podcast Series (that I keep promising publicly to hold myself accountable).

This week’s call to action is simple: its time to set the intention to freely and generously give of yourself during this winter season of giving, to make a plan for your generosity.

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Have you ever wanted to give the penultimate gift as a living donor?

Virve Aljas needs a new Liver, please take a moment to watch her video , and consider if you would be a good match for this significant opportunity at generosity.

I was first introduced to Virve after she volunteered to lead the fundraising efforts of a small charity where a mutual friend is the chair of the board; when we met, she was as concerned that her health challenges would impact her ability to keep fundraising for this cause, as anything else. It was a truly selfless expression of concern and made a huge impact. Helping her, will pay dividends in terms of amplifying your impact, consider making this very special gift this season.

New and Noteworthy is a collection of things readers of #TuesdayThoughts might find interesting, important, or informative;

??Other Stuff I Did This Week (shameless self promotion): I was honoured to present on 'Association Minimalism' at this year's CSAE Conference, from which one of my slides was made into a meme by the very talented Nat Wallace | I was officially appointed to the Board of Directors of the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association - read my thoughts here | Today I released my first ever #GivingTuesday guide: Thoughts on Giving Tuesday: Your Generosity Pre-Planning Guide for Aspiring Impact Makers (available for free download on my website )

???Hold These Dates: Tuesday 14 November , 2023 - Danielle's Giving Tuesday Guide (sign up to be the first to receive a free digital copy ) | Tuesday 21 November, 2023 - LinkedIn Audio AMA on Generosity Planning for #GivingTuesday and beyond | Tuesday, 5 December 2023 - 100th Edition of Tuesday Thoughts | Monday, 15 January 2024 - the #TuesdayThoughtsBook volume 2 release date | Tuesday, 26 March 2024 - Speaker Slam on the topic of Human Connection

?? What to Read: One more time for those in the back - my #GivingTuesday Guide - Thoughts on Giving Tuesday: Your Generosity Pre-Planning Guide for Aspiring Impact Makers (available for free download on my website ) | The First Social-Media Babies Are Growing Up—And They’re Horrified from The Atlantic, which made me think of all the awareness work Denise Brunsdon has been trying to do for years

?? What to Watch: How to Be "Opportunity Ready" for Your Personal Brand featuring Cher Jones | Freelance Roles in Research, Communications and Graphic Design @ Real North Strategies h/t Matthew T.

?What to Do: Support Marie-Chantal (MC) Thibault 's Tremblant 24h Relay Challenge (which I incorrectly cited last year) | Mark you calendars for this year's Comedy Night in support of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario on December 13, 2023

????♀? Cool Jobs (Paid and Volunteer): Manager, Member Services & Communications @ Ontario Dairy Council h/t Jack Shand

??Take Note: The Planaday meet the team feature with Kian Janamian | Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 CSAE Association Centre of Excellence Awards - and a huge shout out to Patrick Massad and Mike Chopowick, CAE who did an excellent job on the presentations

I am a Certified Association Executive with over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions across Canada’s Not-for-Profit Sector, with deep ties in the Meetings and Events Industry. I use the art of storytelling in speech and writing to explain ideas, and to inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics. Learn more about how we can collaborate;

???Consulting Services : I offer a suite of consulting services for Associations and Charities, and am interested in working with likeminded organizations on projects that contribute to better governance, leadership and the overall growth and health of Canada’s Association and Not-for-Profit Industries.

????Speaker/Facilitator : I have spoken to standing room only crowds in the Association and Events sectors, connecting ideas and people; topics include, The Introvert Experience, Imposter Syndrome and Mentorship, EDI: Lived Experience as a BIPOC Woman in Leadership, Minimalism and Essentialism, Finding Your Voice and Building Your Unique Brand, Making and Impact, and the?#TuesdayThoughtsFormula .

????Contributing Writer : I have written for Industry Publications and Blogs with a focus on the role of Associations, Volunteerism, and the Intersection of Not-for-Profit Management and many current social and economic trends. My inclination towards storytelling lends itself well to the style of Creative Non-Fiction.

???The Tuesday Thoughts Formula : I am on a mission to inspire actions that amplify my impact, each week I follow the?#TuesdayThoughtsForumla ?to deliver a call to action inspired by relevant stories; new this year, I’m bringing live demonstrations of the formula to the stage to help conference, event and meeting attendees tell their own stories that amplify their ROI of in-person attendance.

?? Check out my website?daniellerussell.ca ?or email me: [email protected]

?? I’m on a?Mission ?to?Change The World, By Inspiring Actions That Amplify My Impact! Despite my Introverted tendencies, if I have any hope of success this cannot be a solo affair. Join my community where I Connect People and Ideas;

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?? Let’s Be Friends: LinkedIn:?Danielle S. Russell, CAE (she/her) ?| Instagram:?@danielle.s.russell