Develop This: Economic and Community Development

Can your organization raise money when the future is uncertain?  Should you wait for the 'right time' to launch a capital campaign?

In this episode, Jason interviews Rod Crider and Carlotta Ungaro about their experience with a campaign in Rowan County, North Carolina during the midst of the pandemic.

Rod Crider is the CEO of Rowan EDC in Salisbury, North Carolina and Carlotta Ungaro is the Senior Project Direction with Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

Together, they led a successful campaign that launched just weeks before the world shut down in 2020.  By the way, this was the first major organizational campaign for Rowan EDC.  Rod and Carlotta  give you all the details of the campaign from start to finish.  Tune in to get insight on assessing your community's readiness for fundraising, go behind-the-scenes to learn about difficult boardroom discussions, and learn the value of having a strong partner do the heavy lifting.

Connect with Rod Crider

Rowan EDC

Connect with Carlotta Ungaro

Convergent Nonprofit Solutions

It is one of life's simple truths: we work better when someone we trust holds us accountable.

In this episode, Dennis and Jason pontificate on the value of finding accountability partners - which may differ during various stages of your life.

Do you have the courage to let someone in?

In this episode, Dennis chats with his good friend, Mike Norris, Executive Director of the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.

What are planning organizations and what is their role in helping communities thrive?

Mike Norris has the answers for those questions and more as they dive into federal programs, organizational structures, and technical expertise.

Connect with Mike Norris

Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission

Should private, non-profit EDOs consider purchasing land or buildings as part of the organizational work plan?

In this episode, Jason explores the pros and cons of doing so.

3 Reasons NOT to Purchase Land

1. It could go badly
2. It may tick off private developers in your community
3. The buyer will compete with other businesses in your market

3 Reasons to Consider Purchasing Land

1. It locks in the price of land for deal-making
2. You can be proactive in getting the land ready for sale
3. Sometimes, we have to prime the pump

In this episode, Andy interviews Eli David, CEO of StartupBlink.com.

StartupBlink is the world's most comprehensive startup ecosystem map and research center.  They provide dozens of public sector startup ecosystem developers with mapping, analysis, and promotion modules.  Once a year, StartupBlink releases the  Startup Ecosystem Rankings Report with over 1,000 cities and 100 countries ranked.  Their reports have been downloaded by tens of thousands of decision-makers worldwide and received hundreds of mentions in the global and national press.

Download your ecosystem report at StartupBlink.com

Selecting the right chair of the board for your non-profit organization is very important.

This 7 part series is all about selecting the right individual for that position. 

Today's episode is #3 in the series....never have a board chair that will only tell you what you want to hear!

It is nice to surround ourselves with members of our personal fan club.  As leaders, however, we should welcome feedback that makes us stronger.  Sometimes, we need others to tell us what we need to hear instead of what we want to hear.  A good board chair that do that for us.

Tune in for Jason's methodology and full context.

This week's episode sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

Are you envious of great public speakers?  Are they simply born with the natural gift to entertain audiences?

In this episode, Dennis chats with Dr. Adam Sharples Brooks, director of The Speaking Studio at the University of Alabama.  Tune in to learn some tips and tricks of the trade to become a better speaker.

About Dr. Adam Sharples Brooks

More About The Speaking Studio

Selecting the right chair of the board for your non-profit organization is very important.

This 7 part series is all about selecting the right individual for that position. 

Today's episode is #2 in the series....never have a board chair that is too busy for you!

When you need to bend the ear of your board chair - you need them.  Not after the next board meeting - you need them now!  If your potential chair of the board isn't going to be available, then you need to select someone else for the job.

Tune in for Jason's methodology and full context.

This week's episode sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.

Economic developers are wired to ask the question: what's next?

While that question can often relate to projects or the organization,  it can also relate to your career.

Drew Kamp has recently been named the President/CEO  of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce in Iowa.  Prior to that, he had a variety of roles, duties, and opportunities at the Ames Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode, Dennis asks Drew about his process for gaining the right experience for the top leadership job in an organization.

Connect with Drew Kamp

Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce

Selecting the right chair of the board for your non-profit organization is very important.

This 7 part series is all about selecting the right individual for that position. 

Today's episode is #1 in the series....never have a board chair that makes less money than you!

Okay- perhaps never is a bit harsh, but here's the deal: you want a board chair that believes you get what you pay for.  While we aren't suggesting an organization overcompensates a CEO, it is in your best interest to make sure the volunteer leadership isn't trying to balance a budget on your back.

Tune in for Jason's methodology and full context.

This week's episode sponsored by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions.