If you're fairly new to running a nonprofit, getting a grip on basic operational procedures can seem like an overwhelming task. Luckily, nonprofit consultants Heather Carpenter and Jennifier Chien offer a wealth of useful advice and concrete steps to help you establish basic organizational procedures and best practices. By mapping out the tasks in key areas such as insurance, human resources, finances, fundraising, and board relations, a series of small steps can help you strengthen and simplify your operations, freeing up valuable time to focus on the programs you care about.

A lot goes into keeping the wheels of an organization turning, and young nonprofit leaders can feel unsure of how to begin organizing the essential areas of their business. As a result, important issues sometimes slip through the cracks. The effort put in up front to review and establish good, replicable practices pays dividends by creating a self-sustaining structure with the right employment, record keeping and financial procedures to stay in compliance with law, withstand audits, and ultimately save time through greater efficiency.

Carpenter and Chien walk through a number of immediately useful ideas for getting and staying insured and creating new hire packets. They outline strategies to tackle bookkeeping, budgeting, computing support, contact management and bill paying. Perhaps one of the most important areas is working with the board of directors. Building a board orientation binder which includes the organization's articles of incorporation, by laws and policies can be a huge asset in helping the board to understand and embrace their role.

Volunteers busy with other jobs and commitments may feel especially challenged by the many hats they are called on to wear. The key to juggling it all is to pace yourself and get as much help as possible. The speakers conclude with a list of other helpful resources for nonprofits. Be sure to see the handout linked below for a clear, informative outline of the presentation.