Autism Vision of Colorado

The mission of Autism Vision of Colorado is to educate the community on autism and autism awareness; and to create a safe place for individuals on the spectrum and their families to meet one another, support one another and advocate within the community. Founded in 2019, this all-volunteer organization provides a variety of services and events. 

Support Groups are a significant means for connecting people, and connecting people to resources. Autism Vision of Colorado facilitates groups for Teens, LGBTQIA+, Artist and Crafters, Care Givers, and more. These groups provide a safe place for vulnerability, exploration, support and education. 

Sharon Starkey is the founder and Board President. Her personal connection of supporting family members on the spectrum drove her to want to help others who are struggling. She wishes that more people understood that Autism is not a bad thing. Through education, awareness and exposure, Autism Vision of Colorado is working to create a community where all people feel safe and welcome. 

Like many organizations, raising money is their biggest challenge. The good news is, you can help! If you would like to support this amazing cause with your time, money or connections, go to their website. They even have opportunities to sign up for the Amazon Smile or King Soopers Community Rewards programs. These businesses offer third party support from your regular spending. It’s a great way to help, for those who cannot give additional time or money right now. 

Here are two upcoming events where you can learn more and have fun:

  • Pokemon Go event ~ May 21st, 10:00 am to noon at Cottonwood Creek Park
  • Autism Vision of Colorado Annual Picnic ~ June 11th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Nancy Lewis Park

Watch here for more information.

Where to Look for Prospective Board Members

This recent article talked about the purpose of the Board of Directors in a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit Boards are made up of caring citizens who give of their time, talent and treasure to help make our community a better place. These people sound awesome, right? The challenge lies with where to find them. Any organization that hopes to survive and thrive long term, must find individuals willing to serve, bring them together, and form them into an effective governing body. 

Agencies often want to know where they can find these unicorn-like volunteers. While it’s true that it can be challenging to find these people, it’s not impossible. Twenty-five percent of American adults volunteer their time. And I would argue that we can grow that number simply by asking people and connecting them with meaningful opportunities. 

This article will explore three sources for finding volunteers. Before you start recruiting, there are a few things you will want to have in place: 

  • First, you need to be clear on the expectations you will have of your Board members. It’s hard for volunteers to say yes if they don’t know what will be expected of them. 
  • Second, establish a process for recruiting. Bringing on a new Board member should be similar to dating. You would not ask someone to marry you on the first date. Similarly, you don’t want to invite someone to be on your governance Board if you don’t really know them, and they don’t fully understand you and your organization. 
  • Lastly, be prepared to put your volunteers to work. So many agencies have Board members who come to meetings and listen to everything going on in the operations of the organization. This is not a valuable use of their time! It quickly leads to either disengagement or volunteers taking on work that is outside the scope of what the Board should be focusing on. 

Even though you may have work to do in creating your agency expectations, recruiting process, and board focus; now is a great time to start exploring sources for volunteers. Since recruiting should be a process, not an event – you have time to work on those pieces while you identify and build relationships with prospective Board members. 

Board prospects fall into three tiers: 

    1. People who KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST you
    2. Those who care about strengthening the community
    3. Lucky connections

TIER 1: People who KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST you

In order to register for nonprofit status, an agency must list three Board members on the paperwork. The majority of Founders know very little about what it means to have a Board. Because of this, they usually ask three friends or family members to allow them to list their names on the document. Having not been given expectations, properly recruited, or assigned meaningful work this group usually ends up being ineffective. This whole experience leads Founders to be leery of this first category of prospects. 

Despite the tendency to be cautious of Tier 1 prospects, this is the very best place to look for Board volunteers. That doesn’t necessarily mean that your mom will make a great Board member. What it does mean is that people who understand your work, who care about your cause because they care about you, and who benefit from or partner to deliver your services – are great prospects.

Friends and family may be good prospects if they are passionate about the mission; not just because they are friends and family. Constituents can be great Board prospects because they know first hand the value of your programs. Partnering or referral agencies may have staff who want to more deeply engage in helping with the critical social issue your agency is addressing. 

Below is a list of places to look for Tier 1 prospects. Consider each group and see if you can think of one or two people in each category who you think might be interested in learning more about your agency. 

      • Friends and family 
      • Social groups
      • Church groups
      • Colleagues
      • Former clients
      • Friends or family of clients
      • Organizations who you partner with or who refer to your agency
      • Businesses the agency patronizes

Tier 2: Those who care about strengthening the community

Tier 2 prospects are those who know little to nothing about your organization. However, they are people who are engaged in their community and who actively seek opportunities to get involved and give back. These individuals are the ones who – once inspired – take action to address the issues in their community. 

You can find Tier 2 folks pretty easily. These are the people who are already involved and working to make the community a better place to live, work and play. Every community has multiple places where Tier 2 people hang out. Some of those include: 

      • Service Clubs – ie: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, Jaycees, etc. 
      • Women’s Clubs – cities and towns of any size have some sort of group like this
      • Networking Groups – some are more philanthropic minded than others
      • Young Professionals Groups – our younger generations are very interested in giving back; in addition they often see volunteering as a way to make a name for themselves
      • Community Foundations – the staff at these organization tend to know who is interested in connecting with certain causes
      • Professional Associations – look to the major industries in your community, their professionals will often come together and be looking to get involved
      • Businesses that have a vested interest in your mission and your success
      • Other Nonprofit Volunteers – this isn’t about stealing volunteers, it’s about helping people deepen their impact in their community 

The people you will find through these avenues are excellent prospects for several reasons. They clearly like to be involved. They are often at a point in their career where they have a little more flexibility and freedom to give their time in the community. And these prospects tend to have more discretionary income and influential connections; both valuable assets to bring onto your Board. 

Scheduling a meeting with your Chamber Director or your Nonprofit Business Librarian can help you determine which groups exist in your community and which would be the best ones to start with. Google can also help you see what’s available in your area. Once you have some sources, reach out to them. Get yourself invited. See if you can speak to their group. Work on nurturing these groups into friends of your organization. The people who show the most interest in your work should be added to your Board prospect list. 

Tier 3: Lucky connections

The third tier of prospects come from broadcasting your needs and seeing who responds. Very good Board members can come out of this category, but it’s more a matter of luck than of strategy. Here are some options for attracting Tier 3 prospects:

      • Online matching sites – Board Source, www.boardmemberconnect.com, BoardnetUSA, Bridgespan, Idealist.org, Volunteer Match, Tap Root, LinkedIn Board Connect
      • Flyers – coffee shops, grocery stores, in-house, library, local gathering spots, businesses that promote employee volunteerism 
      • Social Media – agency’s pages, groups, ads 

Tier 3 is the easiest way to try and attract Board prospects, but also the least effective. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore these options. It simply means that this is where you should spend the least amount of time and resources. 

Recruiting Board members starts with relationship building. It involves doing the hard work of getting out, sharing your passion, and connecting people to your cause. Ensuring that the organization survives and thrives long after the founder has retired requires a strong Board of Directors built on healthy relationships. Use these sources to start building your list of Board prospects. 

If your agency needs help identifying, recruiting and empowering effective Board members, I would love to help! Email me at Kim@Athena-CoCo.com to learn more. Let’s connect!

Kim Stewart

Kim is a mom, lover of being active and the outdoors,
and helper of nonprofits and small businesses.
kim@athena-coco.com

Mission Monday ~ Cool Science

Cool Science is all about making science – actually Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) – cool for kids; just like sports, music and art!  They do this by traveling throughout Colorado, bringing their unique blend of cool demonstration shows and hands-on STEAM activities to elementaries, middle schools, and libraries. 

Driven by a desire for community involvement, this nonprofit organization was started in 2002 by an Intel employee. As leadership and partnerships have changed, Cool Science has evolved. Currently a staff of 1-2 run the operations, engaging many volunteers in program delivery. Programming includes demonstration shows, hands-on labs, and science nights/STEAM nights at over 200 schools and libraries per year. The hallmark event for this agency is the Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival. This 9-day event takes place in the fall attracting over 15,000 participants with more than 70 activities for all ages. 

What differentiates Cool Science from many other groups is that their leaders and key volunteers are actual scientists, engineers, and educators. These professionals give of their time because they know the value of exposing children to STEAM education. Improving creativity, collaboration, problem solving, and confidence are just a few of the benefits. Best of all, Cool Science programming is provided at a very low cost or free. Schools are never turned away because of an inability to pay.

Marc Straub has led Cool Science as the Executive Director since 2015. Even though they have been doing this important work for over 20-years, Marc still doesn’t feel like people really know much about them. As an agency working to develop our future leaders, they would like to expand the awareness of Cool Science. 

Increased visibility would help with their biggest challenge of volunteer recruitment. Cool Science is always seeking “science confident” volunteers who enjoy interacting with kids to assist with program delivery. In addition, they are currently looking to grow their Board. Skills that would help advance their cause include public relations, communications, marketing, and event planning. To learn more or get involved click here or email Marc directly.

Mission Monday ~ First Tee

First Tee is a nonprofit organization that teaches children life skills through purposed golf lessons. By integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee attempts to build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience in participating children. This is not to be confused with Top Golf. Who would do that? Well, maybe me. 

Once I understood which business we were talking about, I had a great conversation with Community Impact Coordinator, Lauren Graziano. Lauren shared that all programs, activities, curriculum, volunteers and staff are dedicated to helping youth to develop confidence, overcome challenges and achieve goals. With Executive Director Sandy Johnson on maternity leave, Lauren currently has a lot on her plate! 

There’s a quote on their website about golf being the closest game to living life. Famous amateur golfer Bobby Jones said, “You get bad breaks from good shots, you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies.” Using the game of golf, First Tee — Southern Colorado teaches core values and life skills to help kids from all backgrounds and ages tackle the good and bad breaks they get in life. The team is currently getting ready for summer programming. In order to deliver the impactful, quality programming that is a hallmark of First Tee, they need lots of volunteers! If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of young people you can get involved here. 

One thing Lauren shared that I thought readers would be interested in is that anyone can purchase a membership to their facility at 525 North Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs. The facility includes: six micro-range hitting bays with 32 inch TV displays of ball flight analytics, two aboutGolf PGA Tour simulators (where you can play 9 or 18 holes) and full size putting and chipping greens. How fun is that?!?!?

Most people think of First Tee as a golf skills program. What Lauren and the team would most like for people to know is that it’s actually a youth development program working on character development through understanding and managing emotions, resolving conflicts, setting up step-by-step goals, planning for the future, and appreciating diversity. If you would like to contribute, volunteer, or just learn more go to https://firstteesoco.org. You can also connect with Lauren at lauren@firstteesoco.org.

What is a Nonprofit Anyway?

In my thirty-years of experience leading nonprofit organizations, I have heard a lot of interesting questions. In my early years of nonprofit work, I had similar questions. A recent conversation with a friend made me realize that these questions might be more common than I had realized. So I thought I would share the answers to these three common questions:

What makes a nonprofit a nonprofit?

Who owns a nonprofit?

What’s the point of a Board?

What makes a nonprofit a nonprofit?

On the surface, the word “nonprofit” seems to tell you exactly what it is. However, the name is a bit misleading. Nonprofit organizations can, and often do, produce a profit through their operations. And that is perfectly fine. 

The difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit is that when a for-profit organization makes money, someone or multiple people make a profit. When a nonprofit organization produces a surplus, those funds go back into the organization. The reinvestment can be in the form of equipment, staff training, investments, and more.

Nonprofit organizations exist for purposes other than generating revenue. Their purpose is to address a critical social need and contribute to the greater good of the community, region, world, etc. To be clear, a nonprofit is a business. As such, they must function like one. Nonprofits must pay their bills, follow employment laws, and manage their finances; just like a for-profit. 

Since nonprofits exist to make the world a better place, the IRS rewards them with a tax exempt status. That is the deal that is made when a nonprofit is formed. The organization works to improve the world and the IRS gives them tax relief.

Who owns a nonprofit? 

This is probably the most confusing part of nonprofits for people to grasp. The short answer is that no one owns a nonprofit. Not the founder, not the Executive Director, and no one on the Board. 

That being said, it’s okay to think of the community, or the constituents served by the organization, as the “owners”. These are the people the organization benefits. Not through profit, rather with programs, services, and products. 

An organization that works to reduce poverty serves the whole community. The community can be considered the “owners” of that agency. A nonprofit that provides hygiene products to girls in third world countries, serves a smaller subset of the community, their constituents are the girls they support. Those girls could be considered the “owners”. 

A for-profit business is led by the owner(s). That is who makes decisions about how the business is run. However, an organization cannot possibly be led by an entire community. Same goes for girls on the other side of the world, it’s not feasible for them to provide organizational oversight. So that’s where the Board comes in!

What’s the point of a Board?

Since an entire community or constituency cannot lead an organization, a Board of Directors exists to represent the community/constituency. The Board is a select group of volunteers – always volunteers. Their role is to lead and make decisions in the best interest of the constituents. 

The Board of Directors is responsible for setting the mission, vision and strategic direction. Simply put, these are the promises the agency makes to their constituents. It’s the Board’s role to ensure that the organization has the human and financial resources needed to fulfill the promises made. Additionally, the Board ensures the organization meets all of their fiscal and legal requirements. 

Founders and Executive Directors can sometimes question the need for Board members. They often minimize the importance or the value of a Board. Sometimes engaging volunteers in the leadership of the organization can seem like just one more thing on a long list of expectations. I’m here to tell you, not only is a Board required, it may be the most important component of a nonprofit organization. 

A Board of Directors engages regular people in the community and activates them to make their world a better place. And really, that’s the point. In addition to engaging Board volunteers, best practices drive the Board to engage even more people with their cause through storytelling, fundraising, events, committees, volunteerism, and sponsorships. A crucial and valuable role of nonprofits is to activate community members in the work of making their community great.

Are you looking to get engaged in your community? I know a LOT of nonprofit organizations and could help you get connected and involved with a cause you are passionate about. Want to explore how to create an effective and impactful Board of Directors? I would love to help! Email me at Kim@Athena-CoCo.com to learn more. Let’s connect!

Kim Stewart

Kim is a mom, lover of being active and the outdoors,
and helper of nonprofits and small businesses.
kim@athena-coco.com 

Mission Monday – Pikes Peak Children’s Museum

I met Nohea March when she spoke at the Colorado Springs 1 Million Cups several weeks ago. Her enthusiasm for helping children to learn through play was contagious! After hearing her speak I knew I wanted to get out to see our Pikes Peak Children’s Museum.

Located on the southeast side of the city, their current space of around 3,000 square feet is packed full of experiential learning opportunities! Having opened in April of 2021, the facility includes rooms for space exploration, coding, farm-to-fork, simple machines, healthy communities, and creative arts. The exhibits change regularly, and there is even room for birthday parties.

This museum represents a huge expansion from the mobile museum they operated in the community for the past 16 years. However, Nohea and her Board see this location as a transitional space. Their vision is to secure a larger facility and create a full museum, while maintaining their presence on the southeast side of Colorado Springs. So while they now have a legitimate location, it doesn’t mean their need for funding or volunteers has gone away. Donations help ensure quality exhibits, support operational costs, and will go towards funding for the new space.
The Children’s Museum is a fully volunteer led and run organization. Currently they have volunteer positions open for grant writers, event coordinators, and class instructors. They are also working to grow their Board of Directors, with interest in bringing on governance volunteers with expertise in law, finance, and technology. To get involved as a volunteer, donor, or if you have a potential space for the Museum, please reach out to Nohea at nohea@pikespeakchildrensmuseum.org. You can also learn more about this community gem by visiting their website.
Get out and play!

Mission Monday – Wholly Kicks

There are many agencies dedicated to helping the economically challenged and housing insecure. The thing that sets Wholly Kicks apart is their dedication to walking with their clients. They see them as equals, because many of the leaders at Wholly Kicks have been in the same place at some point in their lives.

On the surface Wholly Kicks is about getting new shoes to people who cannot afford them. And they have done this very well! Over the past couple of years they have given out over 5,200 pairs of shoes. More importantly than the shoes, they have become an organization dedicated to relationships. By providing love and support, Wholly Kicks has developed a highly diverse leadership team from the people they have helped. These folks are uniquely positioned to meet clients where they are and provide compassion and dignity.

Tyg Taylor is the Founder and Executive Director of Wholly Kicks. He is passionate about walking with and alongside those in challenging situations by providing a few basic items for everyday life. In addition, he is committed to delivering support and compassion to empower others to consider a life that is deserving to be felt whole. Tyg wishes that more people knew about Wholly Kicks, but he also wants people to know that there is a story behind every person who receives shoes. Shoes are A thing, not THE thing.

You can connect with Wholly Kicks through their Facebook page or on Instragram. Tyg is always looking for volunteers and could especially use Spanish speakers at many of their distribution events. You can also get involved by making a monetary donation or a donation of new shoes. Learn how here or reach out to tyg@whollykicks.org.

Mission Monday – PACE

If you live in the Springs, you have probably seen the PACE vans driving around or in a parade. And there’s a pretty good chance that when you see them, you make an assumption that they help people who can’t get around on their own. You might even have a general idea that they support our seniors in the community. In speaking with Carolyn Wilson, PR Specialist for Rocky Mountain PACE, I learned that one of the biggest challenges they face is that people in our community do not know about their amazing services. Hopefully this newsletter will help to inform, educate, and spread the word!

PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Through comprehensive, integrated services, PACE enriches the lives of seniors. With a goal of helping seniors maintain their highest level of independence possible, they provide services in the areas of support, social, wellness and medical. PACE serves the whole person by addressing their physical, social and emotional health, and giving them a voice in the care they receive. Simple things like transportation and coordinated, supportive services help seniors to access their care.

As we age, our health care becomes more and more complex. By centralizing the services, providers are able to see the client’s whole-health picture in order to make better recommendations and decisions. The services provided at their facility on East Pikes Peak are impressive! To name a few, seniors can access an adult day program, physical therapy, nutritious snacks and meals, recreation programs, dental care, nurses, prescription drugs, social workers, counseling, personal care/laundry services, and much, MUCH more! With the PACE vans, transportation isn’t a barrier to accessing these amazing supports.

To be eligible to access PACE services, clients must be age 55 or older, reside in the community in the PACE service area, and have a need for some level of assisted care. Anyone who is interested in exploring if PACE is right for them or their loved one, should call 719-466-8777. The call center team is dedicated to explaining services, program eligibility, and determining any costs that may be involved.

Those interested in supporting the mission of improving lives, optimizing wellness, and promoting independence, can learn more or make donations here. You can also reach out to Carolyn at cawilson@rmhcare.org or follow them on Facebook. The next time you see one of the PACE vans cruising around town, give them a wave, and share a little bit of your new found knowledge about the great work PACE does to support independence for our seniors.

Mission Monday ~ BCC Evolution

At BCC Evolution they believe our world is in a mental health crisis. And they are working to do something about it! Their mission is to empower people to speak out and get educated about mental health and suicide, so that we have an army of everyday people that can assist those in need.

Founder and Executive Director, Kelli Hansen, was inspired to start BCC Evolution following the death of her sister by suicide in 2018. Kelli believes that education and awareness will help to reduce the stigma related to mental health, and in turn it will save lives. Through a variety of classes and programs, Kelli and her team provide tools and understanding that help with responding to mental health challenges. 

The vision for BCC Evolution is to expand throughout the country and beyond, in order to drive significant impact with this crucial issue. Like many nonprofit organizations, funding is the biggest obstacle that Kelli and her team face as they strive to scale up. They are starting the grant process, and have held a few events. If you would like to support this cause you can help “make mental health matter” by going here.

When asked what she wished people knew about BCC Evolution, Kelli replied that she wishes more people wanted to take steps towards caring for their mental health. Based on that desire, it makes sense that this agency was named for Kelli’s sister. BCC stands for Because Carrie Cared. Email Kelli if you would like to get involved or learn more. 

What is the Right Culture for YOU?

Culture is a word that is thrown around a lot. Many people use it to describe work environments, businesses and organizations. Most people probably have a vague idea of what it means, but not necessarily a concrete idea about how you impact culture. 

In the past I have written articles on culture, which you can find here and here. Both of these are good, if I do say so myself. Today’s article is on the same topic, but I want to shift the focus just a little. Today we will look into how to create the right culture for your business. 

Not all cultures are created equally. They are not one size fits all. When people talk about a company having a good culture or a bad culture, what are they really saying? Simplified, if a culture matches your values and beliefs, you probably describe it as a “good culture.” Conversely, if they don’t align, you likely consider it a “bad culture”. The tricky thing is, everyone’s beliefs and values are different. 

This begs the question – how do you create a culture to fit everyone. And the answer is – you don’t. You create a culture that is right for your company. Then the culture attracts the kind of people who have values and beliefs that align with you and your business. Before we jump into creating a culture that is right for your business, let’s touch on what happens when you don’t work at your culture. 

It Is What It Is

If you do not intentionally create a culture, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have one. Rather, one evolves – unchecked. In this case, the values that emerge often come from the squeakiest wheel or the biggest personality. And that’s not always good. In fact, this is often how toxic, misogynist, and racist cultures come about. 

Without the clarity of company values – which are actively discussed and referenced – one person can start a culture where telling off-color jokes is the norm. Or a culture where the default mode is to complain about everything. Or one where backstabbing and gossip take over. Almost certainly, none of these are the values you want your company to be known for. But if these traits are emerging, it’s a guarantee that people both inside and outside the business describe your culture negatively. 

How To Get the RIGHT Culture

There are a lot of well-known and broadly studied cultures out there: 

  • Zappos is known for being weird, happy, and fun
  • Southwest Airlines employees are silly and empowered
  • Twitter staff are hardworking, smart, and passionate 
  • Google attracts the best of the best with tons of perks and benefits

What all these companies have in common is that they have taken the time to figure out what they value and how they want to be perceived. Then they keep these values and their identity alive. 

What Do You Value? 

There are several ways to determine your values. Everything from multi-day, facilitated leadership retreats to sitting in a coffee shop with a notepad. It’s up to you to determine the right method for your business. 

I’ll share one activity that leaders often find helpful. Think of the employee in your company who represents the image you want people to have when they think of you. List out all of the characteristics that make that person a great employee. Write down everything you can think of. Then add anything else you wish that person possessed. As you review this list, you will start to formulate an idea about what you value. 

Empowered with this description, start to write words or phrases that you would like your company to be known for. Between 3 and 7 is a good list. Take time to connect a statement or story to each value. Your culture should be starting to emerge. Don’t feel like you need to do this all in one sitting. Record your ideas, then let them percolate for a while. Come back to them and see if they still resonate, or if you want to add to or change them. 

One Size Does Not Fit All

This was stated earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Zappos, Southwest, Twitter and Google all sound like fun, cool places to work. If fun and cool is important to your brand, great! Go in that direction. However, many brands need to be taken very seriously. For others safety might be the most important thing they are known for. And others need to have a reputation of efficiency. Those values might not be as sexy as “fun” and “cool,” but they are just right for certain brands. 

Never Stop Talking About Them

Once you have clear values that are just right for your business, they need to be ubiquitous. They should be used in recruiting and hiring. They should be present in decision making and staff meetings. Your values should be posted throughout your facility and included in many, if not all, communications. 

It’s the talking about them that makes them real. Unless you want your values to be a “flavor of the month” initiative, you need to bring them to life. As the leader, you will want to memorize your values, and have several stories and antidotes demonstrating them. Celebrate values in action. Reward the behaviors you want to see. Own your culture by knowing who you are as a company. Be true to your values. And tell everyone about them. This is what will shape your culture.

While this process is simple, it’s not easy. If you are interested in working on creating a culture you are proud of, email me at Kim@Athena-CoCo.com. Let’s connect!

Kim Stewart

Kim is a mom, lover of being active and the outdoors,
and helper of nonprofits and small businesses.
kim@athena-coco.com