A Guide for the First-Time Executive Director

The Nonprofiteer: The biggest shock is the change in constituency.  You've managed up--that is, managed your boss--before; if you hadn't done it successfully, you wouldn't be here.  Likewise with managing down.  So the skills are already in place.  The challenge is applying them to the multiple people on the Board of Directors.

Giving back helps advance your career

Giving Back: One of the great things about giving back to your community is that it really is a win/win situation. You may be giving your “time, talent, and treasure” out of the kindness of your bleeding heart, asking for nothing in return, but chances are, like it or not, you are going to receive some personal benefit as a result of your charitable ways.