300 young professionals from 26 local businesses and organizations will volunteer at nonprofits during BVU‘s “Summer of Service” event on July 20, 2011.  These volunteers will plant urban gardens, organize medical donations for humanitarian aid shipments, paint shelters, interact with seniors and much more at 16 local nonprofits.

We wanted to take this opportunity to share a story from one of these young professionals about her commitment to serving the Cleveland community.

Megan Klingshirn

Today’s young professionals are highly motivated to make a difference in their community.  Megan Klingshirn, intern at Hyland Software and participant in BVU’s Summer of Service, explains that “young people find a passion and want to volunteer to make a difference.”  Growing up in Westlake, the importance of volunteering was instilled in Megan at a very young age.  She has volunteered with youth groups, the Key Club, her church, and in organizations at her alma mater, Ohio University. 

Her experience is typical of many young professionals.   They are not just looking for a job, but a place through which they can better the world.  Megan loves to make an impact, especially in Cleveland where people have a deep pride for the community.  Hyland’s commitment to the community and its organizational values are attractive to her as a potential employee.  From Megan’s perspective, businesses reach out to the community to help others and in return can also help the business succeed.  Through events like Summer of Service, BVU links businesses and nonprofits to foster excellence in the nonprofit sector.  This link makes the nonprofits, community, and the businesses stronger.

300 young professionals from 26 local businesses and organizations will volunteer at nonprofits during BVU‘s “Summer of Service” event on July 20, 2011.  These volunteers will plant urban gardens, organize medical donations for humanitarian aid shipments, paint shelters, interact with seniors and much more at 16 local nonprofits.

We wanted to take this opportunity to share a story from one of these young professionals  and her committment to serving the Cleveland community.

Deborah O’Neal

Growing up in public housing in Cleveland, Deborah O’Neal felt like “people did not pay much attention” to her or her classmates and in general no one expected anything from them.  No one, except for Deborah’s mother who “struggled and worked hard to make sure we had exposure to summer camps and different programs, so we knew a different perspective from where we grew up.”  Inspired by her own opportunities, Deborah began volunteering to help others at the age of 13. 

 Working in the community has been central to Deborah’s life.  As a high school student she volunteered at an afterschool program, homeless shelter, rape crisis center, and the Boys and Girls Club.  Now as a student at Miami University, she tutors at an inner-city Cincinnati school. 

Deborah is a Cleveland Foundation summer intern placed at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cleveland and will be participating in BVU’s Summer of Service by working to remodel Martin Luther King High School.  BVU’s Summer of Service connects young professionals and interns from BVU business members and partner organizations like the Cleveland Foundation to make a powerful impact in Cleveland.  “I have to come back” to Cleveland is Deborah’s comment about why she gives so much of her time volunteering on her own and through events like BVU’s Summer of Service. 

Deborah believes her experiences allow her to connect with children from her background and she can make a huge difference in their lives.  “They look up to me and I can be a big sister for them.”  Her career aspiration is to become a lawyer and work for those who usually can not afford legal counsel.  Deborah is an inspiring example of how interns and young professionals are making a difference in Cleveland.

Ann Kent, Vice President, Services to Nonprofits

A few impressions and points from the BVU/Weston Hurd LLP forum featuring Ed FitzGerald, Cuyahoga County’s first Executive.  Close to 200 nonprofit and community leaders listened, responded, and interacted with FitzGerald and one another on May 19, 2011.

Ethical.  Honest.  Focused on establishing culture of best practices and ridding Cuyahoga County of its decades of corruption.  Independent thinker and observer.  Striving for efficiency in order to invest savings in priorities.  Cognizant that “efficiencies” are not the answer in all situations.  Priorities:  Economic development – create $100 million Economic Development Fund to grow businesses.  Early childhood education – no wiser investment for the future than children birth to 5 years.  Law Enforcement – community policing in “hot spots” throughout County.  Collaboration between County and its 59 cities – define and act on small and intermediate steps to ensure successes.

This is one of many events brought by BVU to area nonprofits.  Every year BVU presents over 25 seminars packed with useful and practical knowledge.  Our seminars focus on nonprofit governance and management topics, including board roles, board leadership, public policy, HR, finance, and marketing.  Additionally, BVU offers several events celebrating and promoting volunteerism.  Our full calendar is always updated and online on our website at www.businessvolunteers.org

Brian Broadbent, President & CEO

We have long known that the business community in Northeast Ohio is strongly committed to giving back, and now we have the data to prove it.  Last fall, in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, we surveyed businesses about community involvement, and this week the findings were released. 

97 percent of respondents indicated that they have maintained or increased employee volunteerism during the recession, and more than four out of five encourage employees to serve on boards in the community.  Respondents shared that their employees gain skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and problem solving while serving on a nonprofit board. 

Northeast Ohio ranks right up there with regard to community involvement.  A Chronicle of Philanthropy survey on corporate giving showed that 54 percent of businesses nationally encouraged employees to volunteer more.  The survey of Northeast Ohio businesses had 93 percent encouraging and supporting employees’ volunteerism. 

The Northeast Ohio corporate community is on par with companies across the country with regard to financial contributions.  Nearly four out of five (77 percent) companies in Greater Cleveland maintained or increased financial support for community involvement during the recession, while 73 percent of businesses in The Chronicle’s survey said they expected their cash and product giving to remain the same as in previous years.

[click here for full survey results]

From our vantage point at the intersection of businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, we have witnessed tremendous determination and innovation as organizations and individuals struggled to weather the challenging economy.  The nonprofits have been buoyed by the corporate community’s generosity and willingness to serve where needed.  We appreciate the commitment of our Northeast Ohio businesses as they help nonprofits at all times but especially when it mattered most. Business professionals using their expertise as board members or volunteer consultants, as well as direct service volunteers, are vital to nonprofits and our community. The impact and importance of this community involvement cannot be overstated.

Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) and the Cleveland Indians today announced the return of the successful community outreach program – Indians Volunteer Challenge.  Through this unique partnership between BVU and the Cleveland Indians, volunteers performed 26,376 hours of service in the Northeast Ohio community during 2010, the inaugural year of the program.  Based on Independent Sector’s value of a volunteer hour, these volunteers contributed $530,949 of service to local nonprofits!  

Northeast Ohio volunteers can continue to “step up to the plate” and volunteer during the 2011 Volunteer Challenge from March 11 until August 31, 2011.   The Cleveland Indians are working with BVU to assist participants in signing up for the Challenge and finding volunteer opportunities at participating nonprofits.  BVU oversees the Volunteer Center, Northeast Ohio’s clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities.  This online resource allows volunteers to search, find, and directly connect with hundreds of nonprofits with volunteer needs.  

Volunteers who sign up for the Indians Volunteer Challenge through BVU’s Volunteer Center and log a minimum of four (4) hours with a registered organization will receive a ticket voucher for two (2) Upper Box or two (2) Mezzanine tickets to a 2011 Cleveland Indians game.  Nearly 8,000 tickets were awarded as a result of last year’s Indians Volunteer Challenge.  Volunteer, then go and cheer for the Tribe!  

Eligible 2011 Cleveland Indians Game Dates for Ticket Voucher

Ann Kent, Vice President, Services to Nonprofits

Last week, Ohio Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder spoke with 100 nonprofit leaders at the Union Club in downtown Cleveland at the invitation of BVU and Weston Hurd LLP.  The forum was an opportunity to learn of Batchelder’s perspectives in his new role as Speaker, after serving in the House for 30 plus years.  Perhaps more importantly, many in the audience spoke with him personally immediately following the program.  BVU is pleased to help facilitate opportunities to speak with elected officials.

Batchelder spoke candidly about the serious financial situation that the State of Ohio faces in meeting the needs of Ohioans, especially with the commitment to not raise taxes.  Although unable to provide any specifics on the budget, which has not yet been presented by Governor Kasich, he was supportive of programs which he believes have demonstrated effectiveness with cost efficiencies, such as charter schools and school vouchers.  In response to a question from Tom Schorgl, CEO of CPAC (Community Partnership for Arts & Culture), he acknowledged the deep cuts that the Ohio Arts Council has experienced and expressed support for restoring funding to the arts.  Batchelder stated his desire for the estate tax to be repealed, as a way to keep high wealth individuals in Ohio.

Special thanks go to Bill Joseph, Partner at Weston Hurd LLP, and to Speaker William G. Batchelder for the commitment to connecting with the Northeast Ohio nonprofit community.

In this photo (from left): Brian Broadbent, Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) - Ohio Speaker of the House, William G. Batchtelder - William Joseph, Weston Hurd LLP

Elizabeth Voudouris, Executive Vice President

“The value of an advisory board is that it allows the students to see that adults outside of their family and the school staff care about their success and are willing to invest their knowledge, time, and money to help them be successful. It motivates them to be successful.”

                          Erin Frew, Principal, New Tech @ Garrett Morgan

Strengthening public school education is a top priority in the City of Cleveland.  The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) has created a portfolio of Innovative Schools, designed to achieve outstanding results by engaging students as scholars, providing principals with greater autonomy, and inspiring faculty by giving them access to resources that promote academic achievement.  This portfolio of Innovative Schools includes five single-gender academies, two New Tech high schools, and five specialized high schools.  Some of these schools have established proven track records of student success, and some are brand-new educational opportunities in the district.

BVU is teaming up with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to support the District’s transformation plan by building and strengthening advisory boards for thirteen Innovative Schools.  At the recommendation of and with the support of The Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation, BVU staff is working with the principals at each school to strengthen or launch an advisory board that will support the unique mission of the school, including providing strategic leadership, creative insights, relevant opportunities and experiences, and financial support as needed.  These advisory boards offer professionals from the broader community the opportunity to connect with the schools and be part of the transformation plan.

In partnership with incredibly driven and focused principals, four advisory boards have already been launched at schools where such a body did not already exist.  The principals are working with their advisory board members to support innovative aspects of the curriculum, overcome obstacles to success, and leverage external resources to achieve the unique mission of each school.

At New Tech @ Garrett Morgan High School, the Advisory Board members have been active in introducing real world business projects to student teams.  The New Tech education model is designed around preparing students to have 21^st century work skills, including teamwork and active learning through the completion of complex and relevant tasks.  Mark Wagner, Senior Director, Claims University, Progressive Insurance, is one of the founding members of the school’s advisory board.  He recently engaged several Progressive colleagues to help students with a project.  “We helped judge the Biology project that the kids put together.  The idea was to use technology and media to ‘sell’ eco-tours to prospective customers.  The kids had to research the ecosystem and put together the presentation.”  Principal Erin Frew commented on the impact of Mark’s involvement.  “The group that Mark sent from Progressive was great — they were so helpful in providing quality feedback to the students and the teachers.  The best part was seeing how excited the students were to present for real business people.  It focused them and made them want to act as if they were in the business world.  They were so proud of their efforts.” 

BVU has referred five members to the advisory board at New Tech @ Garrett Morgan, and 49 professionals to a total of eight Innovative Schools to date.  Advisory board members see this as an opportunity to give back and help strengthen education in the Cleveland Public Schools by focusing their energy on one specific school.  By partnering with the principals to understand the obstacles to success, advisory board members can leverage additional resources, partnerships and expertise to help the principals strengthen the experience and outcomes at their school. 

To find out more about this unique opportunity and how your business can be part of the Cleveland Schools’ transformation, contact Elizabeth Voudouris at BVU.

Elizabeth Voudouris, Executive Vice President

As nonprofits face growing complexities and challenges, getting the governance right has never been more important.  Well-meaning nonprofit board members can bring relevant skills, expertise and networks to the organization, but without a clear understanding of what their job is as a board member (and what it’s not), it can be difficult to engage them in appropriate board-level work.  In addition to a thorough orientation to the specific nonprofit organization, training on the role of the nonprofit board member is an effective way to inform board members about their roles and engage them in meaningful work.

Training can be delivered in many ways. 

• Some organizations invite a local governance expert to provide training to the full board at a regularly scheduled board meeting.  The board benefits from the collective experience of learning and discussing its role and how the board overall might improve its performance.  Topics can address the board member’s role in fundraising, outreach, oversight or even explore potential conflicts of interest. 
• Another option is to provide board members with articles or information to inform them about the fundamental responsibilities of nonprofit board members.   BoardSource publishes a number of useful booklets outlining board responsibilities, including the general overview,  Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards.   
• A third option is to send board members to a high quality training offered in the community.  Such trainings can be presented by local nonprofit support organizations, colleges and universities or law or accounting firms that have expertise in the nonprofit sector.  Leaders will want to attend any potential training session to ensure quality, professionalism and relevance before encouraging busy board members to attend.

Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) trains and prepares over 350 board members in Greater Cleveland each year at the quarterly Role of the Board seminar.  Business professionals, nonprofit executives and board leaders attend this 3-hour seminar to learn about trends in the nonprofit sector and best practices in governance.  An overview of the legal and fiduciary responsibilities, often presented by William R. Joseph, Partner, Weston Hurd, informs attendees that “the buck stops with the board,” yet is reassuring to those who are unfamiliar with nonprofit board responsibilities.  A panel of nonprofit leaders describes the real work of nonprofit boards and how it gets done, using relevant and often colorful examples and experiences. 

Board members who understand their role will feel confident and are more likely to become engaged at the board and committee level.   Board leaders can use training as a way to inspire board members to leverage their expertise and networks on behalf of the nonprofit organization.  Ensuring a clear understanding of the basic responsibility of the nonprofit board is one way to foster board engagement and effectiveness.

Brian Broadbent, President & CEO

This is a question that we don’t hear enough from board and management at nonprofits.  Ironically, when things are going great, you may be at the greatest risk.  Results are usually good because you have outstanding leadership, a supportive group of funders and an energized staff.  What happens when your charismatic leader leaves?  With this turning point, we at BVU have seen nonprofits experience drops in funding and inevitable staff turnover.  What used to be smooth sailing becomes very rough seas.

A process that is often over looked is succession planning.  Many nonprofits are currently led by Baby Boomers who will be retiring in the next five to ten years.  As the stock market rebounds (and we just enjoyed a very good month), the potential for retirement accelerates.  Every organization in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors needs to prepare for both resignations and short term absences.  Providing current staff with ongoing development increases job satisfaction and retention, as well as enables staff to step up into leadership roles.  Successful organizations make rapid and thoughtful transition of leadership.  With a plan, you can have a roadmap that can be implemented when the inevitable transitions – planned or unplanned – occur.

An interesting fact is that, in corporations, 60 to 65 percent of CEO transitions are filled from within according to Stanford Social Innovation Review.  Not so with nonprofit leaders.  Over 60 percent of new chief executives are hired externally.  Why? 

At BVU, we have seen that internal candidates for the top job either have not worked with finances or have not had enough board exposure to give the board confidence that they are ready to ascend to the top job.  Boards would like to give the job to an internal candidate, but when the decision needs to be made, the majority of boards hire externally.  What happens next is a ripple effect of departures of long time managers.  You don’t just lose your chief executive, others follow.

Through our Nonprofit Consulting Center, BVU has helped a number of nonprofits, ranging from 5 employees to 800, create successions plans for their key staff.  No matter your size, it is good to be ready for leadership change.   The key is to have a plan that is comprehensive, clear to understand and easy to implement.  If you are a board member or a chief executive, talk to your board about your plans (or your need for one!).  Develop a roadmap, and get ready for a transition that will be inevitable at some point.