I’ve been on a blog hiatus because my life has been flowing in a new direction. I started a new part time job at a local education fund.  I love public education and consider it an honor to work on behalf of students and teachers in urban education.

Here is the short version of how I became a nonprofit Executive Director:

I began my professional career in the nonprofit sector in the early 2000s.  I did research for a grant funded program. The people working in the program ended up hiring me.  I was one of 2.5 people in an office that served a network of over 500 youth serving organizations.  If you’re looking to excel in the nonprofit world, I highly recommend working for a network of some sort.  The relationships that you build will serve you professionally and personally.

Then one day I called the largest local funder to set up a meeting.  In that meeting I learned more about the local community foundation and was encouraged to write a grant.  I wrote the grant and received the largest grant to date given by that foundation.

The network I worked at served a school district. One of the things I worked on was financial sustainability, thus the grant writing. I co-wrote a large federal grant and the school district received the grant. A grant administrator was needed. I applied and was hired as the grant administrator.

Fast forward several months and the Vice President of the community foundation calls me to let me know there is an open position.  I interview and accept the position.

Then, the President leaves, my boss, the person who hired me leaves, board members leave and the organization that I worked for was on shaking ground. I stuck it out until the new CEO arrived. It wasn’t the organization I first joined any more and my values were set for a different direction.

I did scanned regional nonprofit jobs but at the end of the day the work I wanted to be doing wasn’t available in the form of a job. I didn’t exactly want to move and I didn’t want my soul to get the life sucked out of it in my position. I did a significant amount of soul searching. Got clear about my skills and what made me happy.

Then I made the leap…into consulting. I love it. I don’t regret taking a part time job. In fact, where I work now previously hired me as a consultant. I even get to do some of the same things I do as a consultant. I also get to focus a lot more on building up the strengths of one organization. I find this focus helps me as a consultant.

Here I am, in my early 30s and I am the Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization with a budget around $500,000. I get to work with really great volunteer board and committee members and staff. The donors I work with care deeply about helping kids. Most importantly to me, at the end of each day I’m happy and love what I do so much that I can’t wait to wake up and see what tomorrow brings.

What career changes have you made as a result of deep personal development?

In May 2010 I ventured across the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network via some friends that I had made through the Nonprofit Millennials Blogger Alliance. Always someone who likes to connect with other people I decided to start a Lancaster chapter.

We recently determined that we want to take the next step in becoming a full chapter, getting organized and determining our mission (Yeah us!). While I was thinking about how to design participation for our next steps, I devised these simple reasons for joining a young professionals network (in general).

Reasons for Joining a Young Professionals Network

• Networking – It’s not just who you know but who knows you. Ever hear of that thing called public perception? Take  advantage of an opportunity to share something unique about yourself with other people you will reap the rewards of networking.  The benefits might come in the form of a job referral or a invitation to collaborate on a project.
• Career Management – Millennials tend to like an array of job opportunities. Whether you want to switch jobs, move up, have an impact and/or make more money, ongoing learning and a social and professional network help you manage your career.
• Support – I’ve shared with the Lancaster network that one of my hopes as Founder is that 5, 10 and 15 years from now, the nonprofit sector is being led by a group of friends. People who took advantage of the opportunity get to know each other before and as they became Executive Directors, Vice Presidents, CEO and board members. I believe being able to call your friend who is running a nonprofit or serving on a board down the street or across town to be a necessity not a luxury for a strong community.  In other words, relationships matter and our group is interested in developing professional support to build a strong sector.
• Learn and Seize Opportunities – In Lancaster County we’ve determined that being young isn’t always perceived as an asset. Community conversations often don’t include us or come close to incorporating our spirit of collaboration. A young professionals network creates opportunities for young people by young people. Networks also offers amble opportunity to volunteer, learn and lead in a comfortable and empowering environment.

So far I’ve met several people through the Lancaster Young Nonprofit Professioanls Network. We’ve even welcomed several non Millennials into our fold which we plan to continue to do moving forward. We’ve visited several nonprofit locations across the county. We’ve learned about fund raising, hosted a Habitat for Humanity house party and welcomed Senator Smucker and Commissioner Martin as our guest speakers.

In June we’ll be hearing from Norman Bristol Colon. Former Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Latino Affairs, CEO of Bristol and Associates and my friend.   Join us on June 14 at 5:30-7 at Rosa Rosa.

The Lancaster Young Nonprofit Professionals Network began in October 2010. The Lancaster Young Nonprofit Professionals Network is a group of social do gooders working in nonprofit organizations, government and education as staff, board members and volunteers.

The majority of people are Millennials (under 40) and we welcome people who are young at heart! We meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30-7:00. The location changes so we can learn about different organizations.

If you are interested in receiving information about the network please contact me via email shanon<<<@>>>solavareidconsulting<>com or friend me on facebook. You will be added to the YNPN email list and receive regular updates including the location of the month meeting.

Future Network Gatherings 

June 14, 2011 we’ll be at Rosa Rosa, 398 Harrisburg Ave, Lancaster with featured speaker Norman Bristol Colon, former Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Latino Affairs and CEO of the Progresso Group.

No meeting in July look for a special joint networking opportunity in August.

Past Network Gatherings

April 12, 2011 we’ll be ING Financial Partners Inc. on Duke Street for wine and networking. Join us for our first sponsored event and learn about value based investing.

March 8, 2011 we’ll be at the Mennonite Central Committee, 21 South 12th Street, Akron. Our speaker, Robin Sarratt from LancasterHistory.org, will be speaking about fund raising from individuals, government and foundations.

February 8, 2011 was held at Millersville Downtown, 42 North Prince Street from 5:30-7. Come network, tour and learn a little about the Nonprofit Resource Network.

January 11, 2011 was held at a new green Habitat for Humanity House, 635 Fairview Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, from 5-6:30. Senator Smucker and Commissioner Martin joined us. They talked about their experience as young publicly elected officials. Thank you to Kate Zimmerman of Habitat for Humanity for hosting us!

December 14, 2010 was held at Liberty Place, second floor from 5-6:30. Announcements and networking. Thank you to Matthew Allison for hosting us!

November 9, 2010 was held at South East Lancaster Health Services 333 Arch Street, Lancaster, PA at 5-6:30. A 5 minute overview of networking, announcements and networking.

October 12, 2010 was held at Quilt and Textile Museum. Thank you to Wenday Nagel for hosting us!