Introduction to Service Leadership

Service-Leadership

Service Leadership is a management style and a process that prioritizes the greater good over individual interests. Nonprofit Service Leaders serve employees, program participants and the community with humility, intention and care. When considering service leadership the goal is to understand service as a leadership model and discuss its significance, characteristics and role in nonprofit management.

What distinguishes service leadership from other leadership models is the connection to community and commitment to developing others holistically. It’s a compassionate approach to management that results in high morale, increased engagement, strong ethical standards for the organization, and the development of future leaders.

Service Leaders are empathetic, persuasive, big-picture thinkers with a high degree of emotional intelligence, and they are active and curious listeners who are open to feedback. Building relationships through service leadership takes time and leaders have to find the balance between reaching business goals and objectives that serve the whole community.

Service Leaders are:

• humble and know how to quiet the ego

• active and curious listeners

• empathic relationship builders

• focused on building others up

• emotionally intelligent

• persuasive communicators

• big picture strategic thinkers

• open to feedback

• patient with the pace of progress

• able to balance business goals and community objectives

Letter of Inquiry Template

A compelling, well-organized, and succinct letter of inquiry to describe your organization and programs to prospective funders is an essential document for all nonprofits. It should be 1 - 2 pages long, and each letter should be customized to meet individual funder requirements or requests.

A letter of inquiry (LOI) introduces your organization to a funder. It’s purpose is to provide a brief but persuasive overview of your nonprofits mission and programs. The funder should be able to relate to and be excited about the work.

Use these tips as a loose guideline for creating your LOI.

1. Open by explaining how your program is a best fit for the funders priorities

2. Describe your organizations history, vision and mission - be succinct

3. Provide the program overview in 1 paragraph - including intended outcomes and the budget

4. Include a statement of need which describes the problem you are solving, why your project deserve to be funded, and how funding will make a difference in your work

5. Explain how you will evaluate the program and how you will know if the program is a success. List specific activities.

6. Provide a statement about the program budget. Here you might also include the cost per participant and additional funding sources expected or applied for. If the 100% of board members have contributed financially to the program, or the organization carries no debt or operating deficit you should include this information as well.

7. Close by providing contact information, and offer to answer any additional questions. If you are including attachments, note them. Thank the funder for their consideration of your work.
   

LETTER OF INQUIRY TEMPLATE

• Purpose. The purpose, or mission, of the organization.

• Organization Profile. What it is and what it does.

• Organizational Strategy. The approach the organization uses to achieve its mission (high level only, details not required).

• Population Served. The primary persons served by the organization and their need for services (what problems you address).

• Program Description. Snapshot of the program for which you seek support—what it seeks to achieve, for whom, and how.

• Outcomes. What outcomes the program achieves for the persons served—changes in behavior, skill, knowledge, attitude, or situation.

• Use of Funds. The exact purpose for which funds would be requested.

• Contact Person. The name and contact details for the person who would submit a Grant Proposal, if approved (the Foundation will respond to this person and copy the author of the Letter of Inquiry, if different).

• Website. The organization’s website, or the program’s if it has a separate site.

Storytelling Template

As nonprofit leaders we are one of our organizations key representatives - a cheerleader for our teams, and an advocate for the people we serve. As nonprofit leaders we are developing strategies to address lack and celebrating every win. We have to be prepared to communicate a powerful and compelling stories about the need in our communities and our readiness to provide solutions.

Storytelling is how most people are introduced to our organizations. Our websites, social media, videos, proposals and presentations should all tell a consistent story about who we are, what we're doing, who we're doing it for, and what we hope to achieve. Storytelling motivates staff and partners to give their best effort and share our stories with others.

STORYTELLING TEMPLATE AND SAMPLE

Title: No Stones Movement is Connecting Young Adults Ready Serve and Lead in Atlanta Georgia

Who We Are: No Stones Movement is an educational nonprofit based in Atlanta, GA

What We're Doing: Offering Mentorship, Service-Learning and Career Training Opportunities

Who We're Doing It For: Young Adults Ages 18-25 in Atlanta, GA

What We Hope To Achieve: Students who participate in the program will:

1. experience improved relationship building and leadership capabilities

2. contribute to community service in a mindful and meaningful way

3. acquire new knowledge and skills in preparation for college and career opportunities

Participant Narrative: Mellitia is a graduate of TSK Preparatory Academy. In the summer before college she wanted to connect with her peers to serve in her neighborhood, and learn what it takes to organize and lead important projects. She joined the Seeds Connect Volunteer Club to show her community love, improve her resume and have some fun! Continue the story...

Call to Action: What do you want people to do after reading or hearing your message? Donate, Volunteer, Register, Connect on Social Media

Program Overview Template

A nonprofit program is a set of activities and resources to provide a service. It is a system with inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and feedback.

• Inputs: resources needed to run a program

• Processes: how services are delivered

• Outputs: what is produced, delivered or supplied with numerical value

• Outcomes: the impact or result of service delivery

• Feedback: performance data and reporting to evaluate the program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW TEMPLATE

• Target Population: define the age range, race, gender, location and socio-economic status of those you serve.

• Participants: what else can you say about program participants characteristics, needs and interests?

• Reach: what the maximum number of students your program will serve?

• Duration: how long is your program in hours, days or months?

• Frequency: how often will you meet with participants?

• Program Content: what documents and materials are required to run the program?

• Program Deliverables: what will participants deliver, produce or create during the program?

• Program Impact: how will you define success and measure program outcomes?

• Program Partners: what external organizations or individuals will assist with the program?

• Human Resource Requirement: what internal role(s) will support this program?

• Financial Resources Requirement: what is the total annual cost of the program?

• Cost Per Participant: what is the total cost of the program divided by the number of participants?

Describing Your Nonprofit

Vision: Big Picture
What the community will look like when the work is done

"Your vision statement expresses the impact you hope to make. When writing your vision statement consider “What is the impact I hope to make in 5 years? In 10 years? It should be a big, and almost unattainable goal."

Mission: Action Statement
What we do, who we do it for, and how we do it

"Your mission statement should focus on the why behind your brand. It states the principles of your company and communicates how you are actively meeting your objectives."

Values: Guiding Beliefs
What principles are important to the organization

"Organizational values are the guiding beliefs and principles that provide an organization with purpose and direction. They help nonprofits manage their interactions with the people they serve and other stakeholders."

Values state what is important to the organization, they inform the culture and dictate behavior.

EXAMPLE: DevoCenter Value Statement

We value and promote innovation, professional excellence and compassionate service. We believe that through professional service-learning women will be both inspired and prepared to serve and uplift fellow citizens, and we’re most excited about encouraging deep reflection on love, leadership and learning in our communities

EXAMPLE: Bayhealth Values List

Bayhealth is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in central and southern Delaware. Its mission is to bring the nation’s best healthcare to the communities it serves, and this is reflected in their core values:

• Compassion: We are kind and caring to everyone we encounter.

• Accountability: Each of us is responsible for our words, our actions, and our results.

• Respect: We value everyone and treat people with dignity and professionalism.

• Integrity: We build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.

• Teamwork: We achieve more when we collaborate and all work together.

Ten Examples of Company Core Values

• Integrity. Acting with strong ethics is a priority for everyone representing the organization as well as the company’s behavior as a whole.

• Honesty. It’s not just the best policy. It’s a core business practice to act in a transparent, trustworthy manner that earns the respect of colleagues, customers, and the public.

• Fairness. Treating everyone with the common decency we all deserve and expect.

• Accountability. Accepting responsibility for your actions (and inactions) is the ultimate way to build trust internally and externally.

• Promise to Customers. Creating a great customer experience begins with staying true to the words we speak and the bonds we make.

• Diversity and Inclusion. Organizations succeed by bringing different lived experiences and a range of backgrounds into a shared environment where everyone has equal opportunity.

• Learning. No one has all the answers. A culture of humility and continuous learning is a bedrock principle of successful companies.

• Teamwork. When people work together, they can create something greater than themselves as individuals.

• Passion. Having a joy not just for the work itself but also the people around us, so that everyone can be bold, innovative, and creative.

• Quality. Companies are judged by the craftsmanship of their products and services, so the highest standards must be maintained.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

"Justice At Its Best Is Power Correcting Everything That Stands Against Love"

FULL QUOTE “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote reminds us that love is the reason we take action, and the method of correction for whatever troubles us.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

Congressman John Conyers (MI) and Representative Shirley Chisholm (NY) submitted legislation for 15 years for a national holiday to honor the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

After years of opposition, legislation was passed in 1983 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan to remember the civil rights leader on the 3rd Monday of January.

Senator Harris Wofford (PA) and Congressman John Lewis (GA) introduced the 'King Holiday and Service Act' to challenge us to transform MLK Day into MLK Day of Service. The legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

King Day of Service is meant to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Introduction to Service-Learning (Infographics)

Service-Learning is form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as leaders seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. Vanderbilt University

Service Learning Supports for Students

Self Reflection

• Personal Development

• Critical Thinking

• Social-Emotional Wellness

Community Love

• Meaningful Service

• Civic Engagement

• Sense of Belonging

Academics

• Learning Objectives

• Knowledge & Skills Acquisition

• STEAM Education

Service-Learning Stages

• Reflect: examine thoughts, feelings and actions throughout the service-learning process

• Investigate: identify and analyze a community concern, existing resources, personal interests, and individual readiness

• Plan: design a service plan that describes the timeline, roles, responsibilities, goals and required resources, knowledge and skills

• Take Action: engage in learning, provide community service, monitor progress and make adjustments

• Evaluate: measure progress, evaluate impact and analyze effectiveness

• Share: demonstrate the results of learning and the impact of service

• Celebrate: honor the service team by recognizing their efforts and intention to improve the community

Types of Service

• Direct Service is hands on help to people or the planet - like handing out meals or cleaning up a park.

• Indirect Service is work performed separate from the people or cause supported – like fundraising or knitting blankets.

• Research is finding out information in order to take action – like collecting scientific data or conducting surveys.

• Advocacy is when you speak up for something you believe in – it could be live in a public setting, in-print or online.

Building a Service-Based Business

Gaining Perspective and Having Fun!

In 2019, my friends at PowerPro Assistants asked if I would provide a few tips and a bit of inspiration for their virtual assistants who were joining their team. Of course, I was happy to do it. :-)

The unexpected trip down memory lane, refreshed my thinking about the importance of positive perspectives, an attitude of excellence, belief in self and the right relationships to accomplish our goals and achieve more than we imagined.

In this video I cover the virtues of sincere service and curiosity. Working for projects and people that I care about, and actively seeking solutions to challenges has been a major key to my professional success.