Short-Term but Long on Impact

By Leyna Bernstein

Some relationships aren’t meant to last, and that’s just fine. In hindsight, my rebound relationship after my divorce was just what I needed, even though I got my heart broken. I needed a breather in between serious relationships, and I learned a few things and had a lot of fun with my salsa-dancing beau. By the time my husband Brian came along, I was ready for him.

Which leads me to what I want you to think about: the value of interim management staff.  In addition to the obvious advantage of covering critical responsibilities while you conduct a search, an interim manager can provide you with unexpected dividends. A good interim will offer you invaluable (and honest) insight and advice — the kind that only an objective perspective can yield.

I’ve heard directly from some very happy boards and executive directors who hit the jackpot with an interim. I connected Sonoma Land Trust to interim Development Director Theresa Nelson (http://www.theresanelson.com) while conducting their search for a new Development Director. She provided Executive Director Ralph Benson and the development staff with advice about structuring the department, implementing new donor management software, and kept the ball rolling until Beverly Scottland was hired.

Similarly, Nancy Salamy at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County sang the praises of interim Development Director Duff Axsom (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/a16/b79). Same story with the board of Pacific Center in Berkeley. They hired Corey Pohley through CompassPoint’s (http://www.compasspoint.org) Interim Executive placement service — run by the stellar J.R. Yeager — and she helped with some critical operational issues before Leslie Ewing took on the permanent position. By hiring an interim, smaller nonprofits can tap into the experience and expertise of very seasoned professionals — people whom they couldn’t hire full time, but who make a major contribution filling an interim role.

There’s a great article about the value of Interim development staff in the January/February issue of Advancing Philanthropy – the magazine of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Written by D.A. Hickman, “Interim Help Wanted — and Needed” (http://www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?content_item_id=24783&folder_id=902)  makes the case for a stint with someone who is not afraid to give you the unvarnished truth.

The Bay Area is full of highly experienced, talented professionals who make some or all of their living by serving in interim management roles for nonprofits. Drop me a line or give me a call if you’d like some referrals. I won’t guarantee that you’ll get a salsa dancer, but you never know.

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