By Michele Goodrich

The national and international spotlight shines bright on my hometown this week as we prepare to host Super Bowl XLVI.  Accolades citing the warm hospitality, excellent organization and outstanding entertainment are coming from the national media, visiting celebrities and NFL fans.

It all started decades ago with a “Big Vision” that seemed utterly impossible at first.  How could we possibly attract a major event like the Super Bowl to a place referred to as “IndianaNOplace?”

Passionate, determined and persuasive leadership prevailed, and this week the long years of preparation and careful attention to millions of details are paying off.  Indianapolis is being viewed as a world-class city capable of exceeding expectations.

As leaders of not-for-profit organizations, we are called to cast “Big, Transformational Visions” for the communities and people we serve.  Often those visions seem as audacious as Indianapolis hosting a Super Bowl.  However, this week as I watch my fellow Hoosiers burst with pride, I am reminded that infectious passion, strategic focus, determined planning and careful execution can make dreams come true.

Whether your “Big Vision” involves helping a troubled teen graduate from high school, increasing the economic viability of your community or securing a transformational charitable gift, there’s something to learn from this year’s Super Bowl experience.

Accomplishing a truly bold vision requires working in new ways, staying focused, practicing patience and paying attention to the details. It’s not one big move, one big decision or one big fundraising ask.  It’s a thousand well-executed details along the way that support the vision.

When your vision is clear and relevant – and you are willing to put in the hard work – it attracts the support of those who can make your vision a reality.

By Bruce Berglund

I get to spend a lot of time with volunteers and staff at great nonprofits doing critical, life-changing work in their communities.  I marvel at their energy and commitment because, to put it bluntly, it’s really hard work.

Whether it’s the dip in the middle of a capital campaign, the competing needs of operations, leadership and mission, or simply too many long hours and cups of stale coffee, burnout often nips at the heels of even the most passionate nonprofit leaders.

So how do you refill your bucket?  How do you reconnect with the reason you do this important work in the first place?

This is more than just giving your brain a break (although that’s important too). It’s about recharging your engines with the people, the stories, the places where your organization’s mission comes to life for you.

If you’re a staff person, that may mean listening in on a volunteer meeting and being humbled by the energy and passion they bring to your cause after their busy day at work.

If you work in the back office, maybe it’s spending a day on the front lines every now and then.

Maybe it’s time to take one of your agency’s clients out for a cup of coffee to hear about their lives?

Do you know what fill’s your staff’s buckets?  What about the person sitting next to you at the board meeting?  If you know the answer, you can help them recharge before they flame out.

What recharges you?  Sound off in the comments below.  Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire another nonprofit leader!

By Lora Dow

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing Gary Lofquist, co-chair of the Greater Green Bay YMCA’s annual support campaign, give this advice to his fellow volunteers:

“Go out there and hit somebody.”

Those of you who didn’t grow up around hockey may find that a little alarming.  It sounds violent, I know.  And, to be frank, sometimes it’s meant to be violent.  But let me explain what most coaches mean by that.

In hockey, it’s really easy to skate around, waiting for the game to come to you.  But to be an effective player, you’ve got to engage.  You’ve got to get in the middle of things and make your presence felt.  In the context of hockey, that means being willing to go after the puck and make contact in order to make things happen.  You “hit” somebody.

The same goes for a community campaign.  It’s really easy as a volunteer or staff person to play it safe:  send out some letters, leave some voicemail messages, hang a banner.  You can be very busy, but not very effective.  You can “skate around,” avoiding actually asking for a gift.

Instead, head out each day with the intention to engage.  Make contact by asking a question or sharing a story.  Give a potential donor a glimpse of the great work your organization does.  Capture their hearts and imaginations with the power of your mission and your work to help others.  And ask them to join you in supporting the campaign.

In other words:  get out there and hit somebody.

Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets - 1/21/2012