Yep. The recession is real. As most leaders of non profit organizations I have been sitting quietly and hoping/praying the recession would fly over us and not touch down. Sort of like home owners when tornadoes blow into their neighborhood.
We expected gas prices to go up, but not from $1.85 to $4.20 overnight. Wow! I was on an overnight bike cruise with some other "Wild Hogs" last week. We rode 850 miles in a day and a half. Along the coast near Big Sur, we filled up at $5.40 per gallon. What a sense of savings we enjoyed at the next station when it was back down to $4.40.
We expected inflated housing prices would correct. But not by 20% in a year. The building boom and all industries related to it seem to have hit the skids.
Add in the presidential elections, a protracted war in Iraq, increasing college tuition, a couple of unprecedented natural disasters overseas, to say nothing of the price of Cold Stone ice cream and we have ourselves a good old recession.
As mentioned, I work in the non- profit world (and we prove it every day). What should religous, humanitarian, and social service providers do?
I'll share some commitments I want to make:
1) We will not become stingy. There are too many hurts and needs which must be met. If required, the dollar amount may go down, but the percentages will not. Note: I'm quite concerned the fuel prices are going to challenge our ability to do as much good overseas. Might drive some creative alternatives.
2) We will seriously evaluate where we get the most bang for the buck. This means, of course, as we prioritize, we will also de-prioritize some things we might otherwise wish to do.
3) We will look for and give high commitment to other organizations who share our values and vision and come to the table of service as sharing partners. I'm learning most organizations can be divided into two categories. Those who are taking and those who are giving. In lean times, we must find those who can offer parity. Synergy between two giving entities is powerful.
4) We will live within our means. Simply we will not spend what we do not have.
5) We will accept that survivorship is a worthy goal during difficult times. Recessions are not pleasant. Like you, I wish they did not come. But they do. They will force us to evaluate what is necessary to achieve our goals or calling and what is dispensable. When the recession ends, and it will, we will be prepared and structured for even more effective service and growth.
Would enjoy hearing from some of you if you have a list of your own for such times. What would you add? Found any articles on this topic?
We expected gas prices to go up, but not from $1.85 to $4.20 overnight. Wow! I was on an overnight bike cruise with some other "Wild Hogs" last week. We rode 850 miles in a day and a half. Along the coast near Big Sur, we filled up at $5.40 per gallon. What a sense of savings we enjoyed at the next station when it was back down to $4.40.
We expected inflated housing prices would correct. But not by 20% in a year. The building boom and all industries related to it seem to have hit the skids.
Add in the presidential elections, a protracted war in Iraq, increasing college tuition, a couple of unprecedented natural disasters overseas, to say nothing of the price of Cold Stone ice cream and we have ourselves a good old recession.
As mentioned, I work in the non- profit world (and we prove it every day). What should religous, humanitarian, and social service providers do?
I'll share some commitments I want to make:
1) We will not become stingy. There are too many hurts and needs which must be met. If required, the dollar amount may go down, but the percentages will not. Note: I'm quite concerned the fuel prices are going to challenge our ability to do as much good overseas. Might drive some creative alternatives.
2) We will seriously evaluate where we get the most bang for the buck. This means, of course, as we prioritize, we will also de-prioritize some things we might otherwise wish to do.
3) We will look for and give high commitment to other organizations who share our values and vision and come to the table of service as sharing partners. I'm learning most organizations can be divided into two categories. Those who are taking and those who are giving. In lean times, we must find those who can offer parity. Synergy between two giving entities is powerful.
4) We will live within our means. Simply we will not spend what we do not have.
5) We will accept that survivorship is a worthy goal during difficult times. Recessions are not pleasant. Like you, I wish they did not come. But they do. They will force us to evaluate what is necessary to achieve our goals or calling and what is dispensable. When the recession ends, and it will, we will be prepared and structured for even more effective service and growth.
Would enjoy hearing from some of you if you have a list of your own for such times. What would you add? Found any articles on this topic?
