Common Good VT Road Trip Results: Vermont Nonprofits Speak

What do Vermont nonprofits need to get their work done? To find out, CCTV hit the road with Common Good Vermont, between May - July 2009 to visit our colleagues in Bennington, Manchester, White River Junction, Brattleboro, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, Johnson and Burlington. The 9 two hour networking events were attended by more than 300 nonprofit staff, board and consultants (representing 250 organizations) interested in learning more about Common Good Vermont and discussing their capacity building needs and solutions. Group sizes ranged from 12 (Bennington) to 78 in Burlington with an average of about 25 participants per meeting. CCTV documented the discussions with notes and, in Rutland, Burlington and Brattelboro, video coverage.

CCTV sent out a detailed survey to diver deeper--still open for your comments at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=X1Ak8bK3js_2fXhtIA_2bM8UDA_3d_3d

Of survey respondents, 89% of meeting participants concluded they have a better understanding of the project and valued their particular meeting.

Plus, we set up a Face Book page to provide regularupdates on nonprofit happenings: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-VT/CommonGoodVTorg/102063809740...

2. Main Points made by Vermont Nonprofit Leaders:

• Vermont nonprofit organizations are highly connected within regional, state and national networks. Many of the resources they need are currently at their disposal but they lack the time necessary to make the most of them. They seek trusted sources and vetted information that they can apply to their organization, program, planning, fund development and evaluation activities.
• It is necessary to make a strong public case for the independent sector so that policy makers and community members clearly understand the benefits of nonprofit work and its vital connection to the well being of Vermont's people and environment.
• Vermont nonprofits identify within regional frameworks but are interested in statewide and national resources.
• Capacity Building includes board AND staff members.
• Build on existing resources and local networks. Don't reinvent the wheel.
• Maintain strong in person network as well as formidable online presence. There is a desire to be up to date technically through on-line connections but we also need to be aware of the "digital divide" in Vermont and maintain contact with and deliver services to those who are not connected.
• Online resources must be easy to find, use and share.
• Vermont nonprofits rely on each other as primary "trusted sources". They are interested in overlaying this model on an online network through peer rating and reciprocity models.
• Involve the corporate and business sector.

3. How do Nonprofits Define Capacity Building?

• Enable Institutions/organizations and the individuals within those entities to most effectively and efficiently meet their mission and goals.

• Provide enough intention and resources to think big, anticipate what might be needed, respond flexibly and adroitly to change, and to maximize how existing resources are applied to the work (dollars, people, technology, etc)

• Knowledge, skills, tools, and competence -- an organization's ability to get the job done internally or resources to use external supports

• Build upon strengths through partnerships, new information and resources that maximize nonprofit efforts & allow them to serve the mission.

4. What are the Gaps in Vermont Nonprofit Capacity (besides lack of $$$)?

• Nonprofits are often disconnected from the people they are likely to trust the most and working in isolation. They are not sure where to find peer-rated (trusted) sources of information
• Collaboration is still not fully appreciated and there is a lack of "know-how"
• Lack of Board Capacity to fulfill their responsibilities and replace themselves with a new generation
• Nonprofits experience increasing pressure from private and government funders to show results and impact but are not sure how to do this
• Nonprofits lack the clout or ability to advocate for more resources for their sectors
• Nonprofits cite lack of convenient and affordable (to nonprofits) technical assistance and training
• Nonprofits are looking for necessary staff training and find it difficult to hire new employees with training specific to their field.
• Aging out of nonprofit leadership and need for timely (i.e., now) succession planning.

5. How can we Ensure the Future for VT's Independent Sector?

> Gather More Data: Vermont nonprofits benefit from data aggregation. This starts with a complete and usable list of Vermont nonprofits and includes sector specific data (human resources, housing and the independent sector as a whole). Participants are looking for reliable data and reports that they can use in their programs and day to day operations.

> Identify Convener(s): Vermont nonprofits want help reaching across organizational, regional and sector silos to leverage resources and recognition for themselves and the independent sector as a whole. There is a major need for advocates, rain-makers, buying-clubs and networkers who can promote collaboration and help organizations join together to attract more resources and operate more efficiently.

> Promote & Create Networking Opportunities: Vermont nonprofits value the experience of their peers and consider them to be their primary "trusted sources" about how to get things done (raise money, hold events, implement and evaluate programs, get resources they need). They are particularly interested in face to face networking because they hold strong beliefs about the value of their local networks. They are willing to explore on-line relationships but have to be convinced that they will be truly productive.

> Spread the Word about Training: Nonprofits are eager for AFFORDABLE training in a variety of areas and are willing to spend time obtaining it (i.e., driving  60-90 minutes or going on-line). Professional development and shared information. Creating an online community and central resource of EASY TO FIND AND USE training and technical support
Investment in Board Development: Nonprofits want to widen and deepen the pool of board members to include all generations and a variety of skill backgrounds. Existing Board members want more training on how to set policy, monitor finances, build capacity, plan for the future and evaluate impact. Not all Board members understand their roles and they need to "buy-in" or be phased out.

> Promote the Strategic Use of Communications and Media Tools: Nonprofits want to broaden their reach and impact but are not sure how to manage their communications resources with out specialized expertise or how to utilize the explosion of media tools at their disposal. They want strategy and hands-on training in how to integrate traditional and new media tools, ways to save money and access to trustworthy and affordable technical consultants.

6. What Pitfalls should Common Good Vermont to Watch Out for?

• Overall, meeting participants voiced an eagerness to participate but were very clear that benefits of doing so must be clear
• Not providing a core service
• Trying to be everything to everyone
• That information is not vetted, takes to long to get to what you need
• Maintaining sustainability
• Focusing too much on an online network/ being intangible to those off-line.
• Not receiving enough input from the community

7. What's Next for Common Good Vermont?

• Work with key partners to articulate existing training, technical support and resources into a functioning network of nonprofit support.

• Develop a sector wide proposal for support.

• Reach out to Vermont's business community and philanthropists, vendors and consultants to weigh in on network and assess interest in support.

• Begin pegging down specific individuals with expertise to start organizing in person trainings as well as moderating on-line discussions.

• Focus on aggregating and connecting as much information and resources already available as possible. As noted previously, many local networks already exist that provide trainings, directories, calendars, volunteer opportunities and technical assistance but they are disconnected.

• Provide information on CommonGoodVT.org site that is vetted by experts and peers to show the unique and current nature of the site and value for visiting.

• Identify high-level conveners on topics identified above.

• Filling in the gaps post-aggregation is a primary focus, no need to create new content if similar information already exists- Strong interest in getting information quickly.

• Plan a statewide nonprofit event.

8. General List of Available Resources Within the Sector
Event Space
Fundraising expertise
Transportation
Data management
Grant procurement advice
Resource library
Technical/internet advice
Branding Expertise
State/federal grant expertise
Facilitating board & staff development
Volunteer placement and recruitment
Environmental consulting
Data on the well-being of children, policy analysis, reports and issues briefs about a variety of child and youth issues.

9. Existing Nonprofit Networks (Highlighted by Participants)

• United Ways of Vermont
• Association of Fundraising Professionals of Northern New England
• Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
• Vermont Council for Quality
• Vermont Aging & Disability Resource Connection
• VT Affordable Housing Coalition/ Housing Coalitions
• Prevention Networks (Addison and more)
• Northeast Regional Anti-Hunger Network
• Vermont Women's Fund
• ValleyNet
• NorthShire Nonprofit Network
• VT Green Building Network
• Community for a Greater Barre
• Chambers of Commerce: NEK, Bennington, Lake Champlain, Manchester, Addison, Rutland, etc.
• RSVP
• SCORE
• Vermont Commission on National and Community Service
• Land Trusts: Vermont Land Trust, Preservation Trust of Vermont
• Vermont School Age Care Network
• VT Green Building Network
• List goes on and on, MANY NETWORKS ARE PRESENT BUT NOT WELL KNOWN

10. Sample of Existing Calendars relevant to Vermont's Independent Sector

http://www.ibrattleboro.com/calendar.php
http://www.bennington.com/attractions/events/eventscalendar.html
http://www.vtchamber.com/events/calendar/
http://www.nekchamber.com/pages/3993/
http://www.addisoncounty.com/pages/events.asp?content=events
http://www.rutlandvermont.com/CALENDAR/calendar.php
VT Affordable Housing Coalition, http://www.vtaffordablehousing.org/events.php
Understanding Vermont Community Events Calendar
Vermont Arts & Culture Calendar Find out about arts and cultural events in Vermont.
7 Days Arts Calendar - Vermont's Alternative Weekly
Vermont Living Listings - "Vermont's Internet Magazine"

Prepared by Nick Carter, LG Davitian, Kathleen Swanson
Contact: davitian [at] cctv [dot] org