Call for Revolution at #AFPFC Last Week
There was a surprising theme rolling around the AFP International Conference last week:
It was a passionate call for greater action and even revolution.
"We need to speak truth to power AND inspire people that #change is possible! @kuminaidoo #afpfc #afpeeps pic.twitter.com/Ds7Ywk9KVc
— David Whitehead (@Whitehead_Dave) March 21, 2016
And this inspirational call came from all sorts of sources:
- Eminent author and speaker Kay Sprinkel Grace
- Former head of Greenpeace, Kumi Naidoo
- Roger Craver, one of the original rebels and co-author of the “must-read” Agitator Blog
- Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations
Speaker after speaker asked us to look closely at our work, and challenged us to think bigger, be bolder, push harder, take more risks and create a bigger platform for change.
Most nonprofits today have a strategy of no risk. That isn't a strategy to make a real difference. #rebels #afpfc
— Christie Cotterill (@ccotterill) March 21, 2016
So here’s my question to you:
Are you really creating change?
"You're not just a fundraiser. You're a catalyst for change." Until next year #afpeeps…keep doing good and being Kindful! #afpfc
— Kindful (@kindfulapp) March 22, 2016
Or is your organization mired down in bureaucracy, a stay-safe, business as usual mindset?
And – what does it really take to be a leader for change? for a better community? for solutions to so many of the world’s problems?
As Kofi Annan said,
“Funding is good, but being an active partner for positive change is better.”
And here are some ideas from these amazing speakers.
Mull over them.
And, as AFP President Andrew Watt said, “let them inspire you to a renewed energy and purpose for our work.”
From Kumi Naidoo, the most inspirational speaker I’ve ever heard – a rabble-rousing call to action:
"We need a million acts of courage." @kuminaidoo #afpfc #afpeeps pic.twitter.com/nvqqObP1Hp
— David Whitehead (@Whitehead_Dave) March 21, 2016
Your activists are your best donors. #rebels #afpfc
— Christie Cotterill (@ccotterill) March 21, 2016
"We need system innovation, system transformation and system redesign." #afpfc #afpeeps pic.twitter.com/Pf2WuiiieV
— David Whitehead (@Whitehead_Dave) March 21, 2016
Change becomes possible when a large number of ordinary people believe change is possible. #afpfc
— Sara Kissinger (@SaraKAllDay) March 21, 2016
RT @BeverlyEBM: Quote of the day at #afpfc: "What we need is a billion acts of courage right now." –@kuminaidoo ??
— Gail Perry (@GailPerrync) March 25, 2016
Roger Craver, co-founder of my #1 favorite blog The Agitator, repeatedly challenged that a business as usual mindset will not make it.
Here’s an important slide from Roger’s presentation- the key ingredients for a truly successful “movement” that raises plenty of money to fund its important cause:
All social change starts with passionate grassroots leaders that drive movement to mainstream. @RogerCraver #afpfc pic.twitter.com/tm6UYllh3P
— Barbara O'Reilly (@BOReillyWHC) March 21, 2016
Roger reminded us that there are plenty of threats to our success:
Any org more than 10 years old isn't likely to push change. Might hold status on cause but not forward change. #rebels #afpfc
— Christie Cotterill (@ccotterill) March 21, 2016
I don't think you can do this work decently unless you are filled with a healthy amount of outrage – @AgitatorEditors #AFPFC
— Lisa Swayze (@impactlisa) March 21, 2016
Sure signs of failure – get along with everyone, best practices, sector jealousy, @AgitatorEditors #AFPFC
— Lisa Swayze (@impactlisa) March 21, 2016
Outrage is biggest driver of fundraising, movements and social change. @RogerCraver @AgitatorEditors #rebels #afpfc pic.twitter.com/raz3lcBSxu
— Adam Clevenger, CFRE (@adamclevenger) March 21, 2016
And Kay Sprinkel Grace reminded us about all the new philanthropists entering our space – trying to solve problems through business solutions, venture investing and social entrepreneurship.
We can’t ignore them! Because they are challenging our way of doing traditional fundraising business.
Traditional donors are frustrated by slow pace, bureaucracy, lack of impact. @sprink7 #afpfc pic.twitter.com/tqZs81b7np
— Barbara O'Reilly (@BOReillyWHC) March 22, 2016
Kay Sprinkel Grace said:
We need to have more big ideas, more solutions, more “change the world strategies” – we do not excite donors with the way we message about our ongoing fundraising practices of closing gaps, supporting operations, etc.
"We need to be less #risk averse" – Andrew Watt #afpfc #afpeeps pic.twitter.com/2e3cMvEywS
— David Whitehead (@Whitehead_Dave) March 21, 2016
.@dheyman Biggest mentality holding back fundraising is thinking we are taking money instead of giving resources to causes in need. #Afpfc
— Jonathan Richardson (@JonathanJR732) March 20, 2016
Every #nonprofit is an #advocacy organization. Fundraising is political. #socialchange #afpfc
— Jonathan Richardson (@JonathanJR732) March 21, 2016
No movement in the world started with a pension plan or a CEO with a Harvard MBA. #rebels #afpfc
— Christie Cotterill (@ccotterill) March 21, 2016
Take a look at these encouraging words, and be encouraged yourself, my friend.
We have much work to do. But we have support from many places.
And if we all pull together – we can accomplish so much!
My “revolution” challenge to you:
Take these ideas in and see which ones “land” for you.
What can propel you forward?
Which ideas can you share with your leaders and your board to encourage your entire organization to think bigger and take greater risks?
I’ll help you any way I can!
Bottom Line
Shanon Doolittle says it best:
Don't give up. The greatest fights take a long time. @darylupsall #afpfc #staythecourse
— Shanon Doolittle (@sldoolittle) March 21, 2016
Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!