The First 90 Days: A
Survival Guide for First-time Executive Directors
Final Project for the Executive Masters of
Not-for-Profit Leadership program
at Seattle University
For more information or to request
permission to reproduce this publication please contact:
Katie Hultquist
4827 S. Brandon St., Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 725-7194 · kghultquist@hotmail.com
Project
Description
Research in the nonprofit sector has shown that Executive Directors of
nonprofit organizations tend to enjoy and value their jobs as a means of
addressing important community needs, but when asked, they do not want to do it
again. In other words, being an
Executive Director is a “one-time event.” Many Executive Directors highlight high
stress, long hours, and concerns over financial stability as major stress
factors, particularly for leaders of small and mid-sized agencies.
While a review of the research does not uncover any studies specifically
done among first-time Executive Directors, one recent study of nonprofit
Executive Directors more generally shows that nearly two-thirds of Executive
Directors are in the role for the first time.
Though most first-time Executive Directors have significant experience
in leadership positions inside and out of the nonprofit sector, they are by
definition treading on new ground. In
particular, first-time Executive Directors bring an optimism and energy to
their position, but often experience a rude awakening in terms of the work and
skills required to perform their jobs effectively. Much of what is required to perform their jobs well will be
learned through time and experience.
However, adequate training, resources, and support can help them adjust
more quickly and smoothly, gain relevant tools and skills, and find the
encouragement and empathy they need to succeed and stay in this profession.
The purpose of The
First 90 Days: A Survival Guide for First-time Executive Directors is to
provide a resource guide and handbook for new EDs, with a focus on small
nonprofit organizations. In addition,
the research and best practices will be useful for Boards of Directors and
training institutions interested in better preparing their community’s leaders.
The handbook is divided into four major sections:
- Introduction. This section explains what makes
first-time Executive Directors unique, why a handbook and resource guide
for first-time Executive Directors is needed, and how this handbook may be
used.
- Research. This section provides a review of
current information on nonprofit management in general and information
specifically designed for first-time Executive Directors. It also includes a survey of local
first-time Executive Directors to discover what areas they identify as the
most critical for success.
- Best Practices. This section reviews four key
management areas: planning, fundraising, financial management, and general
words of wisdom.
- Appendix. Highlights of the
Appendix include a listing of community resources for Executive
Directors and a report of the survey results. It is hoped that future editions will include a training
module for use by training institutions.
Key
Findings
Who are Executive Directors?
·
Women outnumber men
·
Majority in late 40s – early 50s
·
Over 50% have advanced degrees
·
Race varies with geography
·
Budget: 33% with organizations of $100-$500,000
What are EDs saying about their work?
·
EDs enjoy their work because of the mission and impact on community
·
Between 45 and 80% depending on the survey would NOT take another ED
position
·
Reasons for leaving include: burnout, high stress, financial worries,
professional growth
Why focus on first-time EDs?
·
2/3 of all EDs are in first position
·
We must learn through experience, but we can better prepare our leaders
·
While there is a large body of information for nonprofit management
generally, there is very little designed for new EDs
·
New EDs have unique needs: less experience, short timeframe to ramp up,
strained resources = greater need for support
The Research (1999 CompassPoint, 2000 UWKC, 2001
Compasspoint suveys) says:
·
EDs say they need and can’t get: more $ (36%), more capable, supportive
Board (23%), more staff (21%), more networking opportunities (13%), more time
(12%)
·
EDs cite the following key challenges: long hours, stress,
responsibility and isolation (39%); personnel problems (28%); financial stress
(22%); fundraising (20%); Board relations (17%)
·
My informal survey of
first time EDs: lots of resources were cited (included in the full report);
most challenging areas were fundraising, Board relations, planning, and
financial management; most important skills to have were planning, Board
cultivation, financial management, fundraising and staff management.
Best Practices
·
The handbook presents best practices in: planning, fundraising,
financial management. To be added:
working with Boards, working with staff
·
It also presents general words of wisdom about how to succeed as an
Executive Director
·
Focus on what a first-time ED needs to know to get up to speed fast
Next Steps
·
More research is needed
·
Distribution of handbook to new EDs and nonprofits that want to support
their leaders
·
Develop training module that could be offered at local training
institutions