501 Commons designed a series of monthly trainings for managers in order to meet the needs of Plymouth Housing Group (PHG).Since 1980 PHG has been securing permanent and supportive homes for homeless adults. PHG manages 13 apartment buildings in the city, serving more than 1,000 adults. Combined with wrap-around services in mental health, counseling, employment, and healthcare referrals, Plymouth’s wide array of programs means they rely heavily on the wisdom and compassion of their managers.
To make sure these managers can support their teams to the best of their abilities, PHG came to 501 Commons for a series of 12 manager trainings.
“At Plymouth Housing Group, we have hiring managers at many different levels of our organization. Providing effective training is important in supporting our managers to have the tools to function at a high level,” says Marilyn Mitchell, PHG’s Social Services Program Manager. “PHG reached out to 501 Commons to get a deeper grasp of certain areas that hiring managers would need to utilize in their position,” she says.
The topics covered in the monthly trainings included the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employee retention, orienting new employees, interviewing job candidates, performance management, and others. For Rochelle Moore, PHG’s Shelter Plus Care Program Manager, the biggest change she’s noticed among her peers is a stronger sense of personal accountability from all levels.
“Since starting the Manager’s Training series, the most profound change I noticed was in managers feeling equipped to think about their own development and that of their staff,” Rochelle says.
Both Rochelle and Marilyn found incredible benefits from learning how to hold employees accountable while not hurting their confidence in being able to do their jobs. Marilyn gives credit to 501 Commons’ HR trainers for leading valuable discussions on how to balance that fine line.
“The year-long training series by 501 Commons, in essence, helped me identify areas of my management style that I could grow in,” Marilyn says. “And [it] provided me with tools that I will be able to carry with me going forward.”
Does your organization need specialized training? Find out more about our Human Resources Services and how we can tailor a training series to fit your organization’s needs.
Photo courtesy of Plymouth Housing Group.]]>
You may have heard the term “sandbox” used from time to time while using Salesforce. A sandbox is simply a copy of your database you can use to test new ideas.
We raised more money than ever before in 2015 to support free and low cost services to nonprofits across our state, including providing 57 organizations with a $500 grant for services – thanks to the Satterberg Foundation. Organizations used those grants to improve their technology, pay for participation in one of our action-learning programs, address critical HR issues, and more.
The City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods has an exciting upcoming opportunity for youth ages 11 to 25 to make a real impact in their communities.
The Executive Director Forum is a unique opportunity for nonprofit EDs/CEOs to connect with their peers, share ideas, and learn from each other in a supportive environment. In each session you will visit three discussion groups, each facilitated by an outstanding leader.
"The ED Forums are always a shot in the arm - you leave the session with a few new relationships, a handful of great ideas and potential solutions, and more than enough inspiration to last until the next ED forum!"
Meetings provide opportunities to exchange ideas, learn about organizational successes and challenges and hatch plans for organizational improvements or program growth. But how can you ensure that a meeting is worth the time and cost and that your meeting goals are met?
Our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was held on November 5, 2015 in the Panoramic Center on the 8th floor of Pacific Tower. Nearly 120 attendees listened to inspiring testimonies from volunteers and heartfelt stories of positive change from nonprofit clients.
The United States has 87,142 foundations that grant over $55 billion. Washington State is home to 1,329 independent, operating, corporate and community foundations, which award more than $3.9 billion. About 91% of those Washington funders are independent foundations that distribute nearly $3.8 billion, while 32 corporate foundations awarded about $30 million. (The Foundation Center, 2013)
But the positive energy doesn’t stop there. This fall, we will launch a cohort of 12 new organizations from throughout King County. VMC is a partnership between 501 Commons and United Way of King County that enables nonprofits to plan and implement improvement projects that take their volunteer programs to the next level.
Like many arts organizations, La Sala was founded by a small team of dedicated people whose passion brought the mission to life.
Springboard was especially helpful in transforming La Sala's leadership structure from a collective model, where a group of organizers form a grassroots administrative structure, to a standard operational model, where the organization has clear distinct roles for staff, board, and volunteers.
Producing a major fundraising event can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
At 501 Commons, we are often contacted by nonprofits asking us to respond to their request for proposal (RFP) and to pass on an RFP to appropriate providers in our Resource Directory.
There will be 15 workshops on diverse topics – including communications, fundraising, and board development – featuring local experts and speakers from Wayfind, Office of the Secretary of State, and Volunteer Centers of Washington. Exhibitors, like 501 Commons, will come from diverse organizations and companies with proven value for nonprofits. Early bird registration ends on Tuesday, Sept. 22, so register as soon as possible!