CPDR, Good Stewardship and You

Stop for a moment and consider exactly what "business" your organization is in. No matter what the work you do every day to serve your mission, these efforts depend on a constant supply of resources, resources that can be interrupted, destroyed or stolen without warning.

A Few Questions About Good Stewardship

Just for a moment, think back to the articles.

In many ways, the VNA's response to the fire was exemplary. They exhibited good stewardship through their ability to quickly resume operations. According to CEO Robert Carpenter, however, the organization caught some lucky breaks, suggesting there's always room for improvement.

Q: What else might they have done to better prepare for such a traumatic event?

Q: In the case of the break-in at the Plano Community Charity, would you say that taking better security measures, perhaps having installed an alarm system or having implemented better asset management polices, would be an example of good stewardship?

Q: Does this story bring to mind any neglected risks at your organization?

Q: Do you think it is your responsibility to go to greater lengths to protect potential donors or the general public from falling victim to a bogus, imitation websites or other types of fraud?

Q: Do you believe that your organization owes it to society, as well as to the nonprofit sector, to protect the institution of giving (the public's confidence)?

Note: The preceding articles and questions may be a useful way for you to begin a dialog with your staff, volunteers and/or board of directors about these issues and your organization's need for CPDR training.