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A nonprofit organization (NPO) that is in its formative stage and trying to become better established may consider a number of practices to ensure its growth and enhance its effectiveness.

While many nonprofits are unique, most exhibit traits shared by many types and sizes of nonprofits. So although not all of the following ideas will apply to each new nonprofit, a number may be worthy of consideration.

1) Develop a Vision.Most nonprofits (one hopes all nonprofits) will develop a strategic plan as a road map to help guide the organization to meet its mission. Is it enough to invest time and energy to develop a plan and then have it end up buried on a bookshelf or in a hard drive? Absolutely not! It is vital that the NPO treat the strategic plan as a living document and make a commitment to review and update it on a regular basis. One helpful practice may be for the Executive Director to provide the Board of Directors with a quarterly progress report on all strategic plan goals. (Do not forget to monitor your bylaws in the same manner.)

2) Offer Networking Opportunities.Many nonprofits, such as professional and trade associations, provide the invaluable service of connecting members from across different geographic regions and with varying levels of expertise. This connection gives members the opportunity to share experiences, express concerns, and ask questions of one another. Your NPO is a conduit for information sharing, thereby endorsing best practices as members learn from each other. Remember, these networking opportunities do not have to occur only at your events; they also can be created electronically through forums posted on your website.

3) Share Information.The Internet is the best means of communicating with your members in a timely and cost effective manner through postings and e-mail updates. However, too much information (too frequent e-mail notices, too many links) will cause your members to tune out the most important information. Identify the two or three main types of information that you want your constituents to receive and treat the remainder of the website as an add-on. For example, you may want your constituents to know that your website has the most up-to-date calendar of training programs and that it is their best resource for contact information for their peers. Then, your blast e-mails can just focus on emerging legislative and policy issues.

4) Present a Consistent Message. This is easier said than done. Yet doing so is a constant

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