The Virtuous Circle

Every business has a circle of virtue,  that seemingly magical business wheel that, when all goes well, all is well.

Not all wheels are of fortune.  Some spin too fast, some too slow, some lump and bump along while others deflate like a tenor with poor breath control at the end of a very long opera

 Of course there is the much ballyhooed, and often watched “Spiral Of Death” or S.O. D, which is what your organization ends up underneath if it doesn’t pay attention.

In the non-profit business world, the virtuous circle starts no differently then for many for- profit businesses.  It begins with a clear vision of the world we want to see, a well-defined mission (or our role in making that happen),  a 3 year work plan (what it is we are going to do and who is going to do it)  and an unrelenting focus on the beneficiary of the services being provided.  Because of this focus, a franchise, or audience base develops, loyalists are created, (who properly "developed" become donors), and eventually Board members who tend to the mission, vision. Shampoo rinse and repeat.

So here’s a simple test I like to do with Board members to check their virtue.

Right now.. on a piece of paper.. without looking or peeking, (yes this means you)

Write down your organization’s vision and mission

Right now.

 Yup 

 Right now

Because if you can’t, it is likely that your audiences aren’t, your donors don’t and your Board is missing members. If you can,  ask others.  When you find someone, anyone that can't, have " the conversation."