Nonprofit Leadership is Vital

While working for a nonprofit for almost four years, it was not unusual to see a revolving door in the Executive Director's position. To many this was normal. I remember asking and being told, "it's not unusual to see a rotation every 2-3 years maximum on some of these positions." I was shocked, but maybe I should not have been. Any leadership position at a nonprofit is held to the standard of amount collected during fundraising, volunteer involvement, and press. Anything a nonprofit does typically falls under these categories.

Leadership is vital, not just in the nonprofit sector, but in any business or organization. Leadership seminars, workshops, conferences, and webinars are abundant, but for nonprofits some of those events are outside the budget and thus the cycle of lackluster leadership continues.

Locally, in San Antonio, TX, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), is offering an amazing nonprofit leadership certification program and takes the lead in helping nonprofits during these tough economic times. I had the opportunity to chat with Molly Cox, the Director for UTSA's Center for Policy Studies. Through her offices she works with nonprofits around the city to inform them of the leadership certification program along with leadership classes that benefit board members as well.

Creating highly effective leaders in a nonprofit as well as the board is the goal of this program and I highly encourage you to check it out if you're in or near the San Antonio area. If you're not, look at your local universities and see what nonprofit certifications and leadership programs they are offering and start your effective leadership today!