Ingrid Zacharias’ Knowledge Corner  

For over 20 years, Ingrid has been doing community development. She founded and led two non-profit organizations over the past 13 years.   Recently, Ingrid started her own local consulting company and is in the process of developing a tool to help small NGOs to do their own strategic planning. Over the past several months, Ingrid has been writing about her experiences working in NGOs and the challenges facing leaders and organizations as a whole. Listed below are a compilation of articles that Ingrid has written on her blog at

www.expressionsofme.ca .  

July 9, 2010      

6 Criteria for Choosing the Best Stories to Share About Your NGO

NGOs  often use storytelling to share the stories of their success. This article offers a list of criteria to consider when choosing which stories to share.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/09/6-criteria-for-choosing-the-best-stories-to-share-about-your-ngo/  

July 12, 2010 

Bureaucracy , Politics, the NGO Leader and Getting Things Done 

To accomplish great things for a community, it takes working your way through bureaucracy and politics. This article speaks to the challenges faced by the author in endeavouring to build a playground in her community. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/12/bureaucracy-politics-the-ngo-leader-and-getting-things-done/  

July 13, 2010 

5 Strategies to Fight Writer’s Block if You Are an NGO Leader 

Writer’s block can be a huge barrier if writing is a part of your job in the non-profit sector. This article offers strategies on how to conquer writer’s block and get the creative juices going.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/13/5-strategies-to-fight-writer%e2%80%99s-block-if-you-are-an-ngo-leader/  

 July 15, 2010 

5 Components of a Conflict of Interest Policy for an NGO  

Every NGO should have a conflict of interest policy, as it should be a part of their risk management strategy. This article speaks to the components that should be included in every NGO’s conflict of interest policy. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/15/5-components-of-a-conflict-of-interest-policy-for-an-ngo/  

July 16, 2010

5 Reasons NGOs Should Have an Ownership of Information Policy 

As a NGO grows, it becomes even more important for it to have an ownership of information policy. This article offers reasons why every NGO should have a written ownership of information policy. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/16/5-reasons-ngos-should-have-an-ownership-of-information-policy/

July 6, 2010      International Funding and Fledging Non-profits 

Summary 

There are many fledgling non-profits seeking international funding for their organizations. This article speaks to that issue and provides information on one funder who funds international projects.   

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/06/international-funding-and-fledging-non-profits/  

July 5, 2010      The Pros and Cons of Hiring Externally for Your NGO

Summary 

There are pros and cons for a NGO hiring staff externally. This article explores a few of those to show why human resource policy is so crucial to an organizations change management strategy. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/07/05/the-pros-and-cons-of-hiring-externally-for-your-ngo/  

June 28, 2010       4 Ways to Stay Professional in a Non-Profit Environment 

Summary 

Being a professional in a non-profit organization is not always an easy job. The author offers ideas on how to maintain your professionalism in this situation. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/06/28/4-ways-to-stay-professional-in-a-non-profit-environment/  

June 24, 2010       5 Ways to Tell Your Non-Profit’s Stories of Success 

Summary 

Every non-profit has success stories to tell. Telling these stories is important. This article offers ideas on ways to share your success stories and use them to market your non-profit. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/06/24/5-ways-to-tell-your-non-profit%e2%80%99s-stories-of-success/    

June 3, 2010      NGO Staff and Reading  between the Lines 

Summary 

The author explores the reasoning of why staff tells their NGO leader that they actively seeking new employment.   

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/06/03/ngo-staff-and-reading-between-the-lines/     

June 2, 2010     6 Steps to Changing the Culture in Your NGO

Summary 

Change is a constant in today’s non-profit sector. This article offers up 6 steps you can take to change the culture in your NGO.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/06/02/6-steps-to-changing-the-culture-in-your-ngo/  

June 1, 2010     What’s the Rule Book For, if We Don’t Follow It?

Summary 

Every non-profit has policies and procedures. The author speaks to the importance of having those rules and following them as well.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/06/01/what%e2%80%99s-the-rule-book-for-if-we-don%e2%80%99t-follow-it/  

May 31, 2010      Staff and Change Are Not Always a Good Combination 

Summary 

Some staff don’t like change in any way, shape or form. The author describes some behaviours tied to specific circumstances that can help you to recognize those staff members.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/2010/05/31/staff-and-change-are-not-always-a-good-combination/  

May 26, 2010     A Management Scenario: What would you do?

Summary 

This is a scenario of a real event that happened in an NGO surrounding the issue of human resources management. The author asks did the Executive Director handle this situation well. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=A+Management+Scenario%3A+What+would+you+do%3F  

May 25, 2010      Why is Change so Scary?

Summary 

The non-profit sector is in constant flux, resulting in extreme stress on those working in the sector. The author ponders what strategies can be put into place to reduce the impact of that change.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=Why+is+Change+so+Scary%3F  

May 24, 2010   5 Info Bits to Include in Your Staff Orientation Concerning Volunteers

Summary 

All NGO staff should be orientated on how to work with volunteers. This article discusses what topics should be covered in staff training about this issue.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=5+Info+Bits+to+Include+in+Your+Staff+Orientation+Concerning+Volunteers  

May 23, 2010      4 Reasons Why We Need Cheerleaders

Summary 

A cheerleader is someone who is cheerful and supportive. This article explains why every non-profit needs a cheerleader.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=4+Reasons+Why+We+Need+Cheerleaders  

May 22, 2010     5 Topics to Include in a Formal Presentation to a Funder

Summary 

When giving formal presentations to funders, there are topics that should be covered in your presentation. This article offers suggestions on what topics to cover.  

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=5+Topics+to+Include+in+a+Formal+Presentation+to+a+Funder  

May 21, 2010     6 Things a Leader Can Do to Impact Volunteerism in Their NGO

Summary 

Volunteers are a vital component of a successful NGO. This article offers ways that an NGO leader can positively impact volunteer services in their organization. 

http://expressionsofme.ca/?s=6+Things+a+Leader+Can+Do+to+Impact+Volunteerism+in+Their+NGO