In episode 122 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and James Young discuss the role of community, social innovation, and problem-solving in nonprofit leadership. They explore

• how organizations can foster meaningful collaboration,

• move beyond traditional silos, and embrace an interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex challenges.

• the importance of balancing expertise with curiosity,

• strengthening both bonding and bridging social capital, and designing intentional community experiences that drive impact.

Together, they reflect on how associations and nonprofits can evolve to meet the shifting needs of their members and society at large.

Episode highlights:

[00:09:45] Social Innovation as a Driving Force

[00:012:00] Navigating Uncertainty While Staying Grounded in Mission

[00:13:22] Learning Communities and Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving

[00:16:48] The Role of Expertise and Curiosity in Leadership

[00:19:08] The Messiness of Community and Building Trust

[00:21:20] Conditions for Successful Communities

[00:23:03] The Importance of Bridging Capital in Building Inclusive Networks

[00:26:24] Lessons from the Past: Can We Rebuild Community Engagement?

[00:33:10] Rethinking Association and Nonprofit Models

[00:37:45] Designing Organizations for Connection and Problem-Solving

[00:41:28] Invitation to Nonprofit Leaders: Permission to Forgive Ourselves

Guest Bio:
James Young is founder and chief learning officer of the Product Community and writes a weekly newsletter called The Innovative Association. Jim is a leading thinker in the worlds of associations, learning communities, and product development. Prior to starting the product community, he served as senior vice president for education and chief learning officer at the American College of Chest Physicians and chief learning officer at the Society of College and University Planning. He earned a PhD at George Mason University, a masters at the University of Michigan, and a bachelors at Michigan State University.

Important Links and Resources:

James Young

Product Community

Byers Young Group

Bowling Alone

The Upswing

Join or Die

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In episode 121 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Rachel Jellinek discuss the power of video storytelling for nonprofits. They talk about:

• how nonprofits can use video effectively to connect with their audiences,

• How to maintain ethical storytelling practices.

• the importance of focusing on strengths rather than deficits, ensuring those sharing their stories have agency, and balancing emotional impact with authenticity.

The conversation also explores common mistakes nonprofits make when creating videos and best practices for incorporating video storytelling into their communications strategy.

Episode highlights:

Strategic Video Planning vs. DIY Approach [00:06:53]

Key Storytelling Questions for Nonprofits [00:07:11]

Avoiding the "Tearjerker" Trap[00:09:45]

Ethical Storytelling: Moving Beyond the "Savior" Narrative[00:11:58]

Dispelling Myths and Misperceptions Through Video [00:13:54]

Ensuring Storyteller Agency and Power Dynamics Awareness[00:15:27]

Building Trust in the Storytelling Process [00:18:04]

The Role of B-Roll in Video Storytelling [00:18:45]

Common Nonprofit Video Mistakes [00:21:32]

Incorporating Inclusive Voices in Video Content [00:27:45]

The Value of Joy in Storytelling [00:33:33]

Guest Bio:

Rachel Jellinek is President of Reflection Films, a certified woman-owned video production company that does video storytelling and content creation for a variety of mission-driven organizations. Reflection Films does filming and animation, typically for a fundraising, marketing, or training purpose. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts from Harvard University. Prior to Reflection Films, she worked at several nonprofits focused on public health and education. She has served as a health educator for youth and adults; as a director of a literacy program, and as a community relations liaison at MIT. Her experience in the nonprofit world lends itself well to understanding how to tell client stories in an emotionally compelling and entertaining way.

Important Links and Resources:

Rachel Jellinek

Reflection Films

Blog

Smiles Video

Be in Touch:

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📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact

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In episode 120 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Leah Kral discuss how to foster innovation within nonprofits.

They discuss six key practices for driving meaningful change:

• uncovering hidden needs,

• asking courageous questions,

• empowering collaboration,

• embracing experimentation,

• committing to continuous learning, and

• building a culture of persuasion.

Through relatable stories and actionable advice, together they emphasize the importance of strategic thinking, adaptability, and creating space for bold ideas to thrive in resource-constrained environments.

Episode Highlights:

[00:10:16] Innovation in Nonprofits

[00:11:34] Practice 1: Be a Fearless Problem Solver

[00:20:02] Practice 2: Ask Courageous Questions

[00:22:52] Practice 3: Empower Collaboration

[00:26:30] Practice 4: Experiment and Start Small

[00:29:03] Practice 5: Embrace Continuous Learning

[00:34:20] Practice 6: Build a Culture of Persuasion

[00:39:17] Strategic Thinking as a Permission Slip

Guest Bio:
Leah Kral is a consultant, public speaker, and author who helps nonprofits innovate and further social change. Her book, Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results (Wiley, 2022). For decades, she has been providing tailored workshops and consulting to nonprofit leaders and boards across the country. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica 2002-2004), she loves the outdoors and trails in northern Virginia, and enjoys being an active volunteer in her community.

Important Links and Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahkral/

https://leahkral.com/

https://substack.com/@leahkral

Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results

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📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact

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