If you want your organization to not just succeed, but to thrive, in the non-profit world your organization needs to be unique. In some way, shape, or form the mission of all non-profits is to affect change (hopefully positive) in a persons life. If your organization is going to be successful at affecting change in situations where no one else has been able to do it, you will need to do things no other organization is doing.
At Connor’s House we will provide a constant source of support for the family from their child’s diagnosis (or onset of a complex health condition) throughout their life no matter how the child’s symptoms, condition, or situation changes. No one else is doing that.
How will you reach your target market?
Is bigger really better?
Conventional wisdom tells us that when facing a really big task or project we need to recruit a big team in order to tackle it effectively. However, I have read two different things over the past two days (Deuteronomy Chapter 20 and Seth Godin’s book Tribes) that suggest that what is more important than the size of your team is the commitment and focus of your team. A small group of committed and focused people is going to accomplish far more than a large group who are just showing up for a pay check, out of obligation, or for any other reason other than because they are committed to your purpose.
Why Not?
Have you ever noticed how often people ask ‘Why’ questions?
‘Why’ questions are usually asked under the guise of research, or information gathering, but I think often times there is some sort of underlying judgment being made by the questioner. They may be asking ‘Why did you do that’ but what they are really saying is ‘I wouldn’t have done it that way’.
If you want to encourage people to grow and help them succeed, instead of asking ‘Why’ start asking Why not?…Why can’t we?…What if we try it this way?
You would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you are willing to question the status quo. Sometimes you might struggle or fail, we certainly have (and I’m sure we will again), but don’t be afraid to try.
In our journey with Connor we were forced to break a lot of new ground and sometimes we felt like working with the medical, governmental, and social service communities to get the support we needed to take care of our son ourselves, at home, in as natural a setting as possible, was like trying to roll a large rock up a steep hill. How different it would have been if instead of asking ‘Why’ more of the professionals we worked with said ‘Why Not’…’You can do it’…’What if we tried it this way’… ‘What can we do to help you’.
Those are the questions we will ask at Connor’s House.
‘Why’ questions are usually asked under the guise of research, or information gathering, but I think often times there is some sort of underlying judgment being made by the questioner. They may be asking ‘Why did you do that’ but what they are really saying is ‘I wouldn’t have done it that way’.
If you want to encourage people to grow and help them succeed, instead of asking ‘Why’ start asking Why not?…Why can’t we?…What if we try it this way?
You would be amazed at what you can accomplish if you are willing to question the status quo. Sometimes you might struggle or fail, we certainly have (and I’m sure we will again), but don’t be afraid to try.
In our journey with Connor we were forced to break a lot of new ground and sometimes we felt like working with the medical, governmental, and social service communities to get the support we needed to take care of our son ourselves, at home, in as natural a setting as possible, was like trying to roll a large rock up a steep hill. How different it would have been if instead of asking ‘Why’ more of the professionals we worked with said ‘Why Not’…’You can do it’…’What if we tried it this way’… ‘What can we do to help you’.
Those are the questions we will ask at Connor’s House.
On My Way Home
How do you feel when you are on your way home?
Do you anticipate it with excitement or perhaps sometimes with dread? Is it a quick trip around the corner or a long commute in lots of traffic? Do you call before you leave so your arrival is anticipated or do you just show up and try and sneak in?
I am on my way to a new home. Consider this my call to tell you I am on my way. After all, the anticipation is often the best part. It will likely be a long trip on unfamiliar roads. There will be some easy wide open stretches when the miles seem to fly by and some steep hills to climb that will feel like they will never end. While it may take awhile to get there I expect to learn a lot along the way, which I will make a feeble attempt at sharing with you here.
Long trips are always more fun with friends so I invite you to join me. Climb aboard, fasten your seat, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times. Next Stop…Connor’s House
Do you anticipate it with excitement or perhaps sometimes with dread? Is it a quick trip around the corner or a long commute in lots of traffic? Do you call before you leave so your arrival is anticipated or do you just show up and try and sneak in?
I am on my way to a new home. Consider this my call to tell you I am on my way. After all, the anticipation is often the best part. It will likely be a long trip on unfamiliar roads. There will be some easy wide open stretches when the miles seem to fly by and some steep hills to climb that will feel like they will never end. While it may take awhile to get there I expect to learn a lot along the way, which I will make a feeble attempt at sharing with you here.
Long trips are always more fun with friends so I invite you to join me. Climb aboard, fasten your seat, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times. Next Stop…Connor’s House
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