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  • Bill Musick

    Tower Hill Resources
    1050 Bishop St. #542
    Honolulu, HI 96813
    808.942.0405
      

    Bill Musick has a special interest in working with chief executives and boards to achieve new levels of integrity and effectiveness in the governance of public benefit organizations.  He is a licensed consultant with the Standards for Excellence Institute, certified in Healthcare Compliance and Healthcare Privacy Compliance, and certified as a Governance Trainer by BoardSource.  He is a Guest Lecturer for the University of Hawaii Graduate Nonprofit Management Program.  Bill has presented nationally, and is a contributing author to: YOU and Your Nonprofit Board: Advice and Tips from the Field’s Top Practitioners, Researchers, and Provocateurs (Charity Channel Press, June 2013).

    Bill is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He has completed additional graduate studies as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.  He has served on the boards of St. Luke’s Hospital (San Francisco), Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation; and as an appointee to the California State HIV/AIDS Planning Group.

    Bill works with clients throughout the United States and is adept at managing long-distance relationships and travels regularly to points across the country.

  • Chronicle of Philanthropy Adds Standards for Excellence Checklist to Toolbox

    The Chronicle of Philanthropy has added the Standards for Excellence Self-Assessment Checklist to the Resources and Tools section of their website. The tool can be accessed under the Management and Leadership, and Government and Regulation categories.

    “Chief executives, chief operating officers, and board presidents can use this tool to identify their organization’s strengths and weaknesses in such areas as board practices and executive leadership. The checklist is based on the Standards for Excellence Code, a guide to nonprofit governance and management benchmarks,” says the Chronicle’s Eden Stiffman.

    Read the Chronicle’s announcement and download the checklist here (subscription required).

    Members of the Standards for Excellence Institute can download the checklist from themember portal of our website.

    Not a member? Learn about the benefits of membership with the Standards for Excellence Institute or one of our Replication Partners, and join today!

  • Sealholder Spotlight: Prince George’s Child Resource Center

    Sealholder Spotlight: Prince George’s Child Resource Center

    PGCRC Logo vertical

    Prince George’s Child Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that offers child and family support services in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 2015, Prince George’s Child Resource Center completed their third renewal of their Standards for Excellence accreditation. I recently had the opportunity to speak with founder and Executive Director Marti Worshtil about the organization’s history, programs and experiences as a Standards for Excellence sealholder.

    What follows is a condensed transcript of that conversation.

    Tell me a little about the history of Prince George’s Child Resource Center.

    We are a 24 year old nonprofit and operate two centers that provide services to Prince George’s County. In Largo we offer childcare training and early childhood education training, and in Adelphi we have a family support center where we operate the Healthy Families Prince George’s (HFPG) program.

    The Family Support Center at Adelphi, MD The Family Support Center at Adelphi, MD

    Can you describe some of the services you provide to your community?

    Both our in-home and Center-based family support services use the strength-based model. We believe that every family has its strengths and we are here to build on those strengths by offering parenting education and supportive services that include literacy, job training, nutrition and health education. We also link families to community based services. In early childhood education, everything we do is to improve the quality of early childhood education, so we offer training, mentoring, and on site consultation. We also help people get credentialed as early childhood educators and caregivers in the state of Maryland.

    Your organization has been accredited since 2001, and you just renewed your accreditation this year. Can you describe how the Standards has helped your organization over the last 15 years?

    Prince George’s Child Resource Center has a long history with Maryland Nonprofits, the sponsor of the Standards for Excellence program. I served on the board for 6 years, and I remember being featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy talking about how wonderful the Standards were. Fifteen years ago Prince George’s nonprofit organizations weren’t on anyone’s radar, but being the first charity to earn accreditation in the county put us on everyone’s radar. Foundations were especially impressed when we attained this status. It benefitted us greatly!

    Healthy Families Prince George's (HFPG) program Healthy Families Prince George’s (HFPG) program

    Can you describe a recent situation your organization turned to the Standards for guidance?

    When we received the observations from our recent renewal they were right on target. We are presently starting a formal volunteer program. One of our board members who is an attorney asked about being properly insured, and that was addressed in the observations! So basically, I feel very confident that participating in the accreditation program keeps us right on target.

    In addition to your recent renewal, are there any other accomplishments you’d like to highlight?

    We’ve started a diaper bank! In Adelphi where we provide direct services to parents, we identified that the high cost of diapers represented a significant challenge to the region’s families and there was a fundamental need for support. We’ve partnered with Walmart, got free storage, and kicked off the program a few months ago and have far exceeded our goals. Some of the area’s companies and associations have even organized diaper drives! This service is really fulfilling a need for the families and the response has been great.

    Prince George’s Child Resource Center’s mission is to help create healthy and nurturing environments for children by supporting their families and educating their caregivers. If you’d like to donate to their diaper bank, volunteer, or learn more about their organization you can visit their website at childresource.org.

    Prince George’s Child Resource Center Locations:

    Largo
    9475 Lottsford Road, Suite 202
    Largo, MD 20774
    301.772.8420

    Adelphi
    8908 Riggs Road
    Adelphi, MD 20783
    301.431.6210

  • Watch the Video! ABC27 Harrisburg Features PANO’s Standards 2.0

    Watch the Video! ABC27 Harrisburg Features PANO’s Standards 2.0

    PANO replicationlogo

    Standards for Excellence Replication Partner Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations was recently featured on ABC27 in Harrisburg for their Standards 2.0 rollout. Read all about it and watch the report here.

    If you’re in Pennsylvania, be sure to checkout their upcoming rollout events happening throughout the state.

    Congrats PANO!

  • David Bugher

    Owings Mills, MD

    904.307.8008
    dbugher@gmail.com

    David came to the nonprofit sector after two other successful careers. He opened and grew commercial lending offices in the Baltimore-Washington area, then became an entrepreneur and helped others do the same. In the early 90’s David sold his businesses and began his nonprofit career as a Director of Development. Since then he has served as CEO of two other organizations (each with budgets exceeding $5MM and 50+ employees) before deciding to pursue a consulting career.
    With over 21 years in nonprofit leadership, David has coached boards to understand and embrace their responsibilities, then establish policies and practices to fulfill them with excellence. Involving all stakeholders, he successfully facilitated and implemented strategic planning processes, then coached all involved to align resources to reach the goals they just created.
    Because he has been in your shoes, he understands most of the struggles you face. He can ask the right questions to help you bring your team together around the goals you have set. David can also help you see if decisions are being made and resources allocated to align with your Mission and Vision…then determine if proper metrics are in place.

  • Sylvia Ramirez Benatti

    8539 Bertsky Lane
    Lorton, VA 22079
    703 217-5710
      

    Sylvia Ramirez Benatti brings more than twenty years experience in the nonprofit sector as a trainer/consultant and university professor in nonprofit management. She is the producer and host of the Nonprofit Edge, a weekly interview show on the University’s cable station. She codeveloped and successfully delivered the Mentoring Partnership Model as a program for the ASTD DC Metro Chapter. Sylva co-presented “Sustaining Engagement &Succession Planning through Intergenerational Conversations” at ASTD ICE 2009. As the Director of Training for the Support Center of Washington, DC she planned, scheduled, published, and managed a full time public training program with an average of 60 workshops per quarter. She holds a doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership in Nonprofits from Nova Southeastern University, and a master’s degree in Training & Professional Development from Mount Vernon College, an affiliate school of the George Washington University.

  • Erma Barron

    Empowerment Associates

    Lanham, MD

    301.552.1968

    ebarron.empowerment@gmail.com

    The company provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations in such areas as starting a nonprofit, capacity building and organizational development, strategic planning, fund development, board development and project design and evaluation. Ms. Barron has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She was the founding president of the Ivy Community Charities of Prince George’s County, Inc., a nonprofit organization that advances the educational, cultural, health, economic and social status of disadvantaged youth and families. She later served as its Executive Director for 10 years. During that she guided the organization in board development, operating procedures and staff development, securing government and foundation grants for service projects as well as capital bond funds from the state for the Ivy Youth and Family Center.
    Ms. Barron has served on numerous boards such as the Family Crisis Center that serves women victims of domestic violence, the Prince George’s Department of Social Service, the Prince George’s Minority Business Opportunity Commission, Women Business Owners of Prince George’s County. She served on the Policy Committee of the Human Services Coalition. She currently serves on the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority Board and the Harlem Remembrance Foundation.
    Ms. Barron began her career as a mathematical statistician for the Federal government. She served as the Director of Disability Policy Studies for the Social Security Administration and Congressional Liaison for the Department of Health and Human Services. She was a Fellow of the Excellence in Government Program.
    Ms. Barron has been honored professionally and for her community service. She was honored as Prince Georgian of the Year, Prince George’s Woman of Achievement and Who’s Who of American Women.
     

  • John D. Baker, CFRE, MPA, Registered Lobbyist

    Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA)
    Executive Vice President of Policy and Programs
    100 West 10th Street, Suite 1012
    Wilmington, DE 19801
    302.777.5500
    jbaker@delawarenonprofit.org

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    John D. Baker, CFRE, MPA, Registered Lobbyist, is currently the Executive Vice President for Policy & Programs of the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA): “Strengthening, Enhancing, and Advancing the Nonprofit Sector”.

    John has worked with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (a 27 year old state association of nonprofits) for four years supporting their regeneration and the introduction of the Standards for Excellence in Delaware. DANA is Delaware’s Replication Partner. John attended the Standards for Excellence Institute’s Licensed Consultant training in 2009. He has trained many of Delaware’s nonprofits in the Standards and has coached them through implementation.

    Over the past sixteen plus years John has worked in the non-profit sector in Delaware, networking to the extent that he has connected with most of our states many and diverse non-profit organizations. John has served in many nonprofit leadership positions on Boards and committees. He has also achieved and maintained his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) status since 2003.

    Nearly 16 years ago, John focused his commercial banking, non-profit volunteer experience, and Business Administration & Public Policy and Administration education on AIDS Delaware, now one of Delaware’s premier agencies. As Executive Director, John more than doubled the revenues and programs of the agency as well as earning statewide visibility and respect. These hard won improvements have resulted in increased funding from individual, corporate, government, and foundation funding sources.

    In addition, John has been the President of the Community Service Building (CSB) Tenant Council (3 terms), On the Board of the CSB, a board member of the Association of Fundraising ProfessionalsBrandywine Chapter (AFP), Philanthropy Day Education Committee Chair, Hearts and Minds Community Advisory Board, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). He has formerly served as Co-Chair of the United Way of Delaware’s Campaign Cabinet for the Agency Sector and as a member of the Steering Committee of the United Way of Delaware COAE. He is also involved in his church and various other charitable activities. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rider University, and Master of Public Policy & Administration from Rutgers University. John is an avid marathoner, gardener, and fiction and non-fiction reader.

  • Donald Baker

    Baker Brown Consulting
    37 Pear Drive Bear, DE 19701
    302-575-9325 
    don.baker@bakerbrownconsulting.com 

    For 20 years Don, as he is affectionately known, has enthusiastically invested his time and energy to serve the non-profit sector as a diligent leader and volunteer in and around Delaware. Before founding Baker Brown Consulting, Inc. in 2009, he built a reputation for tackling the root causes of social issues including hunger, poverty, social/racial justice, and education. The arts also became an important passion. He served as a change agent for several organizations including Wilmington 2000, The Food Bank of Delaware, The Christina Cultural Arts Center, and Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering Inc. for which he continues to serve in an executive capacity. Locally and nationally Don maintains multiple volunteer roles including serving as a member of the New Castle County Diversity Commission, the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Brandywine Chapter, is member of both the AFP’s national Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee, is a former member of the Next Generation of the Delaware Community Foundation (TNG), supports the efforts of the Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League, young professionals, and recently was nominated to join the Leadership Delaware Alumni Advisory Council in 2013. Staying true to his Delaware roots, he continues to serve as a valuable thought partner for organizations like the United Way of Delaware, the Rodel Foundation, The Delaware Community Foundation, Delaware Alliance for Non-Profit Advancement, Delaware Grant Makers Association and several other organizations. Don Baker received his formal training at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia as a Political Science Pre-law major. After receiving a Bachelors Degree he returned to Delaware and began working to complete a Master’s of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration from Wilmington University. In 2002 Baker completed his studies and received his M.S., MPA. Don is an AFP Certified Master Trainer and enjoys working to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, diversity/inclusion, and the longevity of organizations.

  • Leadership: Staff

    The following post was written by Issela Sono, Nonprofit Management and Governance Intern at the Standards for Excellence Institute®. Issela has volunteered in various nonprofit organizations in the Maryland and Washington, DC area while pursuing her undergraduate studies in Global Business and Public Policy. Issela is certified in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and is currently pursuing a M.B.A., with a concentration in Public Management, at Hood College.

    Thriving and surviving in the nonprofit sector requires human resources and we all strive to bring the most talented individuals into our organizations.  Setting high standards from top to bottom during the staff  hiring and evaluation process, helps ensure that your organization attracts the most competitive pool of applicants poised to move your organization in the right direction.

    The hiring process begins by developing well-written, clear job description and postings, where all the requirements of the position are outlined. The clearer the job descriptions, the lower the chances are for misunderstandings. Setting a competitive salary will also help your organization stay in line with the market trends and successfully compete for outstanding candidates. Similarly, upon hiring, all staff members must receive training so that they can understand their roles and responsibilities. It is also  important for staff members to be evaluated on a regular basis, at least annually. As part of the publishing of our 2.0 version of the Standards for Excellence® educational material, the second section of the code regarding Leadership includes three educational resource packets around the subject of hiring, evaluating, and setting salaries for staff, in addition to succession planning. These three educational resource packets focus on the following areas:

    Personnel Policies, Employee Orientation, Compensation and Evaluation (updated April 2015)

    • Model Employee Handbook
    • Telecommuting Policies and Checklists
    • Staff roles; Hiring the executive director; Setting the executive director’s salary; Evaluating the executive director’s performance; Maintaining staff other than the executive director; Salary structure and the broader market
    • Featured attachments include: Model Employee Handbook, Telecommuting Policies, Annual Review of Executive Director Form, Executive Director Evaluation Form, Annual Employee Evaluation Form, Compensation Philosophy Statements, Model Review of Organization’s Salary Structure, Compensation Policy

    Board and Executive Partnership (updated September 2014)

    • Defining roles of the board and the chief executive; Sorting out board and staff roles and responsibilities; Understanding the line between management and governance; Executive roles and responsibilities; Evaluating the chief executive; Chief executive termination and removal
    • Featured attachments include: Leadership Roles in Management and Governance Diagram, Sample Position Description: Executive Director, Sample Executive Director Evaluation Process Resource Tool

    Succession Planning (updated July 2014)

    • Types of succession planning; Preparing for succession, leadership and staff development; Key elements of succession plans and procedures; Hiring a new executive director; Succession planning for board leadership
    • Featured attachments include: Sample Leadership Development and Succession Plan, Board Room Quick Tip, Strategies for Successful Succession

    As is the case with all our updated educational resource packets, the documents include sample policies, procedures, tips and other materials (as outlined above) that will guide your organization through the process of developing and implementing essential policies for your nonprofit.

    The new educational resource packets are available, free of charge, to all our Standards for Excellence Institute members and can be accessed at this link: http://www.standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org/dnn/Education/Resources.aspx

    If you are not a member yet, sign up now to have full access to these educational materials and plentiful others!