Non-Negotiable.

I've been challenged recently.

Learning is wonderful. It is how we grow and better ourselves. Experience is a wonderful teacher but so is listening to instruction. Applying what we are taught requires openness, humility and perhaps even grit. Application is where learning meets practice.

Community Development Professionals is in the business of teaching and coaching. We train up social entrepreneurs and help social enterprises and nonprofits get organized, get funded and be sustainable. I care immensely that the content we generate is correct, helpful and true. We are committed to excellence and practical wisdom, so when a talk causes me to pause and reevaluate our content, I take note.

Image Management. It's one of the six components of a nonprofit. We have training modules that cover it and we coach about it routinely. We define Image Management as "controlling how others view you." Image Management is important but there are ethics and moral mandates that have to be considered as we look to reflect our image into the community we serve.

I have reevaluated our content on this subject. While we include messaging on the importance of honesty and accuracy in image management, it could be better emphasized. Here are some key non-negotiables that will be more clearly presented in our trainings on this component from here on out:

❕ Only speak what is truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Nothing communicated on social media, in newsletters, or in communications with donors or grantors should be false, inerrant or leave information out in order to create a false narrative. Always avoid the spin and misrepresenting what is true.

❕ Share stories, content and facts that tell people who you are and what you do. Communication should be to inform, to let people know how impactful your work is, how lives are changed, and how the needs in a community are being met. Without compelling storytelling, people do not know the full impact of the work; but narratives should adhere to high standards of accuracy and truthfulness.

❕ If you are not satisfied with the image the truth portrays, spend the time and energy becoming the organization you want to reflect into the community. Shortcomings and weaknesses can be excellent springboards into growing into the organization you want to be and the organization you want others to think you are.

I love learning and I am always looking to ensure CDP offers the highest level of excellence. I'm grateful for good teaching and thoughtful instruction. What have you watched or read lately that challenged you?

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP