It's Possible: Measurement for Nonprofits

“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” –Milton Friedman

Maintaining good relationships is critical to any organization, but these relationships take on even greater importance in the not-for-profit world. The biggest reason why these relationships matter to nonprofits is the very nature of the operation relies on goodwill and volunteerism. The foundation of the reputation is made up of these relationships and awareness of your PR and other marketing efforts. Strong communal relationships with your constituencies is the only way to keep your organization alive. This is also why continuous measurement of the nature and efficacy of your relations is so critical.

In the nonprofit sector, measurement and accountability have become more important than ever due to three reasons:

1. Social Media: Social media has brought many new ways of reaching out to your community stakeholders. Without measurement, there is no way for you to judge which will be most effective. Social groupware applications have further complicated this environment by providing nonprofits with easy no-cost or low-cost tools to create their own communities and staying in touch with their stakeholders. The good news is not only are the varieties of communities growing, but so is our ability to measure them.
2. Metrics: The difficult financial environment nonprofits face today seeing a need to act more like for-profits in terms of measurement. Increasingly, executive directors and board members are being recruited from the for-profit sector, bringing with them expectations of available metrics. Trustees are requiring detailed evaluation of programs and initiatives. There is greater competition among nonprofits for share of wallet, all of which increases pressure to measure results.
3. Accountability: Even in our financially cautious world, donors and contributors are increasingly demanding accountability for their gifts. Trustees require detailed evaluation of programs and initiatives.

          -"Measure What Matters" by Katie Paine

There is often a perception that only the biggest nonprofits have the necessary funds for the manpower of real evaluation. This is not the case. Measurement is possible for all nonprofits, big and small.

What I Wish I Would Have Known

I was recently required to write a short paper discussing what I wish I would have known as a freshman here at Ohio Northern University. Instead of sharing my spiel about only focusing on a few organizations you are truly passionate about and allowing yourself to strengthen your talents, I want to talk about some other things I wish I would’ve known as a freshman:

1. Don’t be afraid to meet new people. I have always been an introverted person and it’s often difficult for me to open up and get to know new people. I wish I would have known that meeting new people would require me to step outside of my comfort zone and take the first steps as a freshman. I often sat back and did not introduce myself or make an effort to get to know people. I know I missed out on some great friendships by doing this. Now, I am still introverted. The difference is I force myself to get to know people because I value relationships with others, regardless of how uncomfortable it might make me during the first introduction.
2. It’s OK to not get an A. I knew college would be more challenging than high school, but I was not prepared for the harsh grading. When I got my first C back on an assignment, I cried. I thought I was a failure and I was going to have to drop the class. That was freshman year. Now in my junior year, I know I am extremely lucky to even get a C in some of my difficult classes. It’s OK and normal not to get straight A’s in college. Don’t get too hung up on the lower grades. They do not mean you are insufficient or a bad student. These grades either mean study harder next time OR your professor is crazy difficult and the only thing you can do is suck it up and do your very best.
3. People will judge you. If you thought high school was bad, you are in for a real treat! If you didn’t catch the sarcasm in my last comment, then prepare yourself for disappointing maturity levels and caddy people who only care about themselves. Don’t get me wrong, I have made plenty of friends who do not fit this explanation at all. It’s important for you to find these kind of friends because they are the ones who will help you get through the rest of the drama you desperately tried to avoid. Some people will not like you. Some people will lie and make rumors up about you. People will do whatever they can to tear you down and humiliate you. Be the better person and show them you came to college to grow and learn. Show your maturity level is higher. Don’t let the lies and judgments get to you because at the end of the day, you know who you are and that’s the most important.
4. Take time for yourself. College is stressful and exhausting. Don’t let the constant homework, studying and activities keep you from enjoying your time here. A bit of free time for yourself is absolutely necessary in order to survive your college years. You have a paper due next week? Do a little bit at a time. Take some of the day to relax and watch Netflix. Take a walk outside or go to an event on campus with your friends. God forbid you have some fun during the best days of your life! Go have a drink at the bar with friends (if you’re 21). Watch a movie with your roommate you hardly ever see. Take a road trip to Lima to get real food with a group of your friends from your major! The paper you have due next week can wait; time for yourself cannot.
5. Loss is a constant. I’m not talking about actually losing someone who has died, although this is something I have had to deal with during my time here at ONU. What I really am talking about is the constant stream of your friends graduating and moving on to bigger and better things in life. I have always been someone who befriends the upperclassmen. It might be the maturity level, but I find myself getting along better with them. When graduation comes around each year, it’s extremely difficult for me. I’m extremely happy for my friends. They are graduating and growing up, but it’s hard to see them leaving me behind. I wonder if I will ever see them again or if our friendship will fade after our time together at ONU. This loss is hard to deal with, so try to stay in contact with the friends you have made. If you show you want to be a part in their life even after they have graduated, then they are sure to do the same.

These are just a few things I wish I would have known as a freshman. Everyone says college is hard. Yes, the classes are hard. Yes, it’s hard to force yourself to get out of bed and go to class each day. It’s hard to turn Netflix off and do your homework. What people tend to leave out is it’s hard to form these close relationships with new friends at such an important time in your life and learning to let them go and accomplish their own dreams after graduation is not easy.

Psychology of Typography

A recent article on PRdaily entitled What Your Organization’s Font Choices Say About Your Brand caught my attention. We all know colors can influence a consumer’s purchasing decision, but I never really considered typography as another factor. The fonts used have an influence on the feelings customers associate with the brand.

The fonts organizations choose to use on their websites and in their logos have the potential to persuade or even dissuade someone to do business with them. People tend to judge your business by the fonts used because there are feelings associated with certain typefaces and other elements of typography. This information is available from RCM Website Design’s recent infographic. I have included this infographic in my blog to give you an idea of the psychology involved in typography.

According to the infographic, these are the typical views people have for certain fonts:

• Serif fonts: These fonts are best for print and are considered warm, old, expensive and beautiful.
• Sans-serif fonts: People typically see these fonts as informal, playful, cool and youthful. Sans-serif fonts are best suited for digital use.
• Script fonts (resemble handwriting): People often use these fonts for formal invitation. These fonts seem delicate, feminine and happy.

I found the psychology that accompanies typography very interesting. What organizations do you think of that uphold these typical views of fonts?

Thankful for Thanksgiving

My family gathered in Troy, Ohio for our Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday. I don’t think I have ever seen so much food! After eating dinner, we played football. It was too cold for us to stay outside for long, but at least I got a chance to win the game again. Bragging rights for the car ride home.

We went to the Christmas tree farm on Saturday to cut down our unique tree. I’ve shared my family’s tradition to choose the imperfect tree. This year was fun because we had plenty of time to enjoy the farm and look at many of the trees.

My Thanksgiving wasn’t much of a break because I worked every single day except for Thanksgiving and Saturday when I had family over. I needed a chance to relax, but I didn’t really get the opportunity to take a break. I’m too short on money to not work my entire break.

Even though I worked the majority of my break, I enjoyed spending at least a couple of days with my family. Those short breaks were exactly what I needed to help recharge me and get me through my upcoming finals. I’m eager to finish my final papers and projects so I can go home for a long Christmas break!