Delaware Valley Nonprofit Executives Join Together for Group Problem-Solving

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2008

PHILADELPHIA -- Anyone running a nonprofit organization is likely to face challenges of budget shortfalls, staffing problems, board inadequacies, time constraints, and other stressful demands. The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University is now organizing a series of problem-solving groups to enable nonprofit executive directors to meet regularly with peers to create their own think-tank environment.

CLEAR Circles (Cultivating Leadership, Excellence and Responsibility) are small peer-directed support groups for nonprofit leaders who are seeking new approaches to common problems. The group meets monthly in a supportive and confidential environment that enables them to learn from each other and share experiences that they would never raise with co-workers or board members.

"Both the corporate world and the nonprofit sector are recognizing that their executives need a place to voice concerns and frustrations and collaborate in a safe environment," said Laura Otten, Ph.D. director of The Nonprofit Center and an experienced CLEAR Circle facilitator. "For the region's nonprofits, CLEAR Circles provide that safe space, tackling issues that cross many organizational lines," she added.

CLEAR Circles consist of seven or eight nonprofit directors who commit to meet monthly for two hours over nine months. Otten said many nonprofit leaders find the sessions so helpful that the Circles continue year after year.

The Nonprofit Center is currently organizing new groups to serve nonprofit executive directors in Philadelphia, West Chester and Montgomery County.

For more information, call The Nonprofit Center at 215-951-1701.

The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University's School of Business helps strengthen the region's nonprofit organizations so they can better serve their constituents. Through educational programs, board development, training and consulting services and an information and referral network, the center's team of experts works with hundreds of organizations to enhance their ability to govern, manage and perform more effectively in a competitive environment. Visit their website at www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/.>

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