The Idealist.org Podcasts

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Nonprofit Leader: Elizabeth Droscher, Phoenix School Oct 23, 2009

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Today's Nonprofit Career Month podcast guest is Elizabeth Droscher, Executive Assistant at Phoenix School. Phoenix School is a nonprofit charter high school in Roseburg, Oregon, whose staff works hard to see students realize their potential and to graduate, by offering alternative learning approaches and opportunities to engage in the community. As the Executive Assistant, Elizabeth supports the school's director and its Board, writes grants, builds community partnerships, and coordinates events. She's honed her communications and planning skills on the job in past county government and business work, as well as in the nonprofit sector. Amy Potthast and Elizabeth chat about the importance of volunteering in the lives of young people, and the ongoing need for professional development to gain new expertise and expand what you're capable of doing in a job.

Sector Switcher: Krista Kelley, a Leader in Nonprofit Development Oct 19, 2009

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Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Today's Nonprofit Career Month podcast guest is Krista Kelley, Vice President of Development at Adelante Development Center in Albuquerque, one of the largest nonprofits in New Mexico. Adelante offers community-based services for people who are physically or mentally disabled, who have chronic neuromuscular diseases, and who are disabled simply due to the aging process. Krista has designed and led Adelante's development department which has included lobbying, government relations, media campaigns, capital campaigns, direct mail campaigns, donor development, planned giving, in-kind donation programs, special events, private foundation, city, state, and federal grants. Prior to working for Adelante, Krista worked in both domestic and international business development and marketing and in business and operations analysis. Amy Potthast talks with Krista about developing a new department at a nonprofit, the adjustment to working in a nonprofit after working in a business, and the family-friendly potential of many nonprofits that value work-life balance for their staff members. Listen to more Nonprofit Career Month podcasts, or subscribe to the Idealist podcast in iTunes.

New Mexico Nonprofit Leader: Margaret Ambler Salamon, Center for Nonprofit Excellence Oct 15, 2009

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Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Today's guest is Margaret Ambler Salamon, Research Specialist and wearer of many other hats at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Albuqueque, NM. The Center for Nonprofit Excellence is a collaborative effort of the United Way of Central New Mexico and the Albuquerque Community Foundation and aims to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector through building collaborations, educating donors, and increase the effective management of nonprofits. Margaret's passion for nonprofit organizations began in 2000 with a ten-month term with Public Allies, a national apprenticeship program focused on building young leadership while strengthening communities. Amy Potthast chats with Margaret about her career path, the excellent work that the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Public Allies are doing to strengthen the nonprofit community, and what it's like to work at the hub of many community organizations.

Job Seeker: Abby Flottemesch, a Mid-Career Nonprofit Development Professional Oct 12, 2009

Show notes

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Today's guest is Abby Flottemesch, a mid-career nonprofit professional and Minnesota native who is currently engaged in a job search. Abby recently completed a year-long fellowship in Bogota, Colombia, with Atlas Service Corps where she worked with the Saldarriaga Concha Foundation—a Colombian foundation that provided resources to organizations that worked with disabled individuals and the elderly. Prior to her Atlas Corps Fellowship, Abby worked for five years in program and fund development in Minneapolis and in Washington, DC, with The Campus Kitchens Project (CKP)—a national, student-powered hunger relief organization connected with the innovative DC Central Kitchen. Abby also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, organizing community development efforts in Puerto Rico. Amy Potthast chats with Abby about the important skills required in a fund development role at a nonprofit; her recent Atlas Corps Fellowship, and her job search strategies.

Questions with Mirna Guha of Project OBO Oct 09, 2009

Show notes

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Mirna Guha, the founder of Project OBO: Our Bodies, (Our) Opinions in India. Originally working on issues related to sexual and domestic abuse, Mirna found that many problems originated in a lack of communication about gender, sexuality and identity. She explains how she is now trying to create workshops and safe spaces for young people in Kolkata to come together to discuss issues of sexual identity, abuse and gender stereotypes through conversation and art.

Sector Switcher: Arlene Siegel Cogen Applies Financial Planning Skills in the Nonprofit Sector Oct 06, 2009

Show notes

Today's guest on the Nonprofit Career Month podcast is Arlene Siegel Cogen, a Charitable Gift Planner with The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) in Portland, OR. At OCF, Arlene's main focus is individuals, families, professional advisors, and businesses who would like to establish current or testamentary charitable funds or deferred gifts. Arlene entered her nonprofit career after 20 years of working in the corporate sector. As a Certified Financial Planner, Arlene worked for companies such as West Coast Trust and Allen Trust, Citibank, US Trust and First Union before finding her "dream job" with the Oregon Community Foundation. Idealist's Amy Potthast chats with Arlene about the process of changing careers at mid-life, the crucial role of networking, and finding work that aligns with your financial goals as well as your values.

South Carolina Nonprofit Leader: Mac Bennett, United Way of the Midlands Sep 30, 2009

Show notes

October is Nonprofit Career Month, a month of activities to promote the diversity of career opportunities in the nation's nonprofit sector. Driven by the collective contributions of the nonprofit community, the campaign dispels common myths about nonprofit work, provides you with entry points to the sector, and allows current and aspiring nonprofit professionals to share expertise. Launching our Nonprofit Career Month podcast series is a discussion with Mac Bennett who shares his experiences and insights from 30 years of nonprofit leadership. Since March 2005, Mac Bennett has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Midlands in Columbia, SC. Mac studied finance and management at the University of South Carolina, and then blazed a career in public service, first holding a variety of leadership positions with the University of South Carolina and then serving as Executive Director of the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Bennett is also a founding director of the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO). Throughout his career, Bennett has been instrumental in efforts to improve training and education for people working in the nonprofit sector. Idealist's Amy Potthast chats with Mac about making a difference while making a living; how Mac got started as a volunteer in the sector; the variety of ways to serve your community; and Jim Collin's book Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

Questions with Adarsh Kumar of Livelihoods Equity Connect Sep 28, 2009

Show notes

A continuing problem in developing countries is that small business people, like farmers and craft workers, still live in poverty and cannot expand their businesses. In this episode we speak with Adarsh Kumar, who started the group AICA which helps connect producers in India with larger markets. In addition to this work, he wanted to do more and started a new venture, Livelihoods Equity Connect (LEC). With LEC, he hopes to create a new development model that helps these producers expand their businesses while also providing practical management advice. Adarsh tells us about his project, starting a new organization and his hope for the organization.

Peace Corps Community Resources: An interview with Erica Burman and Molly Mattessich of the National Peace Corps Association Sep 21, 2009

Show notes

As Peace Corps nears it's 50th Anniversary in 2011, applications are on the rise, fewer Volunteer positions are getting funded, the Senate just confirmed a new agency director, and the number of Peace Corps alumni is nearing 200,000. Helping connect the dots among the agency's fiscal needs, and Volunteers past, present, and future is the National Peace Corps Association—the independent organization of former Peace Corps Volunteers, known as Returned Peace Corps Volunteers or RPCVs. The National Peace Corps Association offers the Peace Corps community tools and resources to stay informed and engaged, and advocates for Peace Corps funding and support.Today's guests are Erica Burman and Molly Mattesich of the National Peace Corps Association. Erica Burman is the Director of Communications at NPCA, and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in The Gambia in the late 80s. Molly Mattesich manages the Africa Rural Connect project at NPCA, as well as the Peace Corps Connect online social network. Molly served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali from 2002-2004. Idealist's Amy Potthast talks with Erica and Molly about NPCA's initiatives like the More Peace Corps Campaign, Africa Rural Connect, the RPCV Mentoring Program, and Global Teachnet. They also talk about the new online social network for the Peace Corps community Peace Corps Connected, the Peace Corps Polyglot blog, and World View magazine. Finally, they discuss the new Peace Corps director — and departing NPCA board member — Aaron Williams, and how online communication tools are changing the Volunteer experience.

Questions with Heather Cronk of the New Organizing Institute Sep 14, 2009

Show notes

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Heather Cronk about her work at the New Organizing Institute (NOI). NOI is progressive training organization focused on utilizing online outreach strategies, from micro-blogging to video. Heather talks about how she entered this career and some advice she has for nonprofits and advocacy groups to effectively use new communication technologies.

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