Resolution Redux: Happy Chinese New Year!

February 8, 2016 marks the beginning of the year of the monkey, and two weeks of celebrations in Chinese communities. And if you've dropped the ball on your 2016 resolutions, here's a chance to revisit them!

Each year, like many people, we begin the year with great intentions of many changes. And by February, the gyms are empty again, the snack food aisle at the grocery store needs restocking, and the vegetables in the crisper drawer really should be thrown out.

So in light of the lunar new year, here's your chance for a do-over, particularly in the context of your fundraising program!

Related Post: Chinese New Year Traditions for Nonprofits

Assess your health. How do you know if your nonprofit is healthy if you never measure it? Check out the Fundraising Effectiveness Project's Fundraising Fitness Test for a comprehensive, but pretty easy, measure of your organization's health.

Pick a BIG goal. This might be for your organization or for your own career development. Maybe it's an idea that this year you will break through a big financial milestone. Or perhaps you want to consider pursuing a credential, such as the CFRE or the ACFRE. Whatever it is, write it down, and then tell someone about it. It's not real until you tell at least one person!

Seek out a new coach or mentor. While you might have a great group of supportive mentors and coaches already, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut. At a conference, or online, reach out to someone that you think may have a different perspective, or experience with your big goal. You never know what they might say, if you don't ask!

Pick ONE thing to do differently over the next 30 days. Not 10 days, not 60 days, just 30 days, and only ONE thing. Most change fails because you're trying to do too much at once, like eat different foods, and exercise, and sleep more, etc..  If you want something to stick, you need to stick to one thing. Perhaps you want to make a donor contact every day--not necessarily a solicitation, but a contact. Or you want to get rid of at least one old email every day (that's not asking much, is it?) Just pick ONE thing.

Whatever your goal, whatever your one thing is, we wish you success and prosperity in the new year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

For a cool 360 view of some of the people at my 2016 Chinese New Year party, check out Jim Anderson's ThetaS 360 post. (Alice)

I love every person in this photo. (I think that's 27 people.) Look around, it's a 360 #theta #phototsphere - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Chinese New Year Traditions for Nonprofits

Happy New Year! Chinese New Year, that is.

On January 31, 2014, Chinese communities throughout the world begin two weeks of celebrations to mark the lunar new year, the year of the Horse, the culmination of many preparations and traditions that have been in place for generations.

As we begin this new year, here are some of the traditions that can be productive to apply to your nonprofit life:

Conduct a thorough cleaning. Of your database, that is. Are you collecting useful information? Is it organized the way that is productive? Are there pledges that should be written off or past donors that can be archived?

Reconcile old debts and grudges. It's not just about money. Are there people to whom you owe follow up, or prospective donors that you should "bless and release?" In some cases, you're better to let a donor go than continue to pursue a gift that doesn't work for the contributor. Reassess the donors that are in cultivation and decide what you need to do to move them forward or to move them on to another cause.

Give "lucky money." The iconic red envelopes are given to children to insure that they have good luck for the coming year. In the same vein, think about your own philanthropy and consider a gift to a charitable cause that is not the one you work for. Was there an organization you missed in December? Is there a new cause you would like to support? Being a donor makes you a better, more aware fundraiser.

Look forward, not back. Earlier this month, you may have assessed how things went last calendar year. Now is the time to finalize the calendar year plan if you haven't already. If you've already set goals for the year, plan out milestones and action steps now.

Wear red. This has no translation to the nonprofit field. It's just good luck.

Celebrate abundance. The New Year's Eve dinner is traditionally a large celebration for the family to celebrate how much wealth they have, regardless of what actual physical wealth they hold, and carry over that optimism to the new year. Too often, with the bustle of the holidays and year end giving campaigns, and the stress of having to raise every dollar, development program staff do not have the time to celebrate the generosity of their donors and the successes of their efforts. Now that the year end gifts have been processed and thank you letters sent, take a moment to be thankful for the support you receive. Gather those close to your cause and say, "We have so much!"

Wishing you, and your nonprofit, prosperity in the new year! Gong Xi Fai Cai!

(This was first posted in 2012. The original post is here.)