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

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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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In this solo episode of Nonprofit Mission Impact, Carol Hamilton delves into scenario planning and its value for nonprofits navigating an era of heightened uncertainty. She emphasizes

• how scenario planning moves organizations from a state of overwhelm to proactive action,

• outlines a step-by-step approach and

• shares a recent client story to illustrate its usefulness.

Podcastathon 2025: She also highlights The Arc of Montgomery County and its important role in supporting people with developmental disabilities through local programming and national advocacy as part of Podcastathon 2025.

Episode highlights:

[00:00:00] Why scenario planning now

[00:01:00] Defining Scenario Planning

[00:02:10] Why Scenario Planning Matters

[00:04:30] Steps to Implement Scenario Planning

[00:08:06] Example from a Recent Client

[00:10:21] Podcastathon feature: The Arc of Montgomery County

Important Links and Resources:

Podcastathon

The Arc of Montgomery County

The Arc of Maryland

The Arc of the United States

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In episode 118 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton talks with Meghan Speer about the concept of holistic communication within nonprofit organizations. They discuss:

• the importance of ensuring consistency and clarity across all communication channels to enhance donor engagement and confidence.

• insights into breaking down silos, fostering collaboration among internal teams, and

• how to map out donor touchpoints to deliver a seamless and human-centered experience.

The conversation highlights the need for nonprofits to align their messaging with donor expectations, adopt a long-term view, and prioritize appreciation to build lasting relationships.

Episode highlights:

[00:07:00] Defining Holistic Communication

[00:08:51] Real-World Impact of Communication Silos

[00:12:30] Mapping Communication Touchpoints

[00:18:30] Overcoming Campaign Fatigue

[00:23:00] Understanding Donor Behavior

[00:27:30] The Role of Gratitude in Donor Relationships

• Foster collaboration by breaking down silos and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

• Think beyond immediate campaign results and adopt a long-term view of donor engagement.

• Invest in consistent, clear, and human-centered messaging across all communication channels.

• Show appreciation and follow up with donors to maintain trust and connection.

• Engage with everyday donors to gain valuable insights into their motivations and perceptions.

Guest Bio:

Meghan Speer serves as the Executive Director of Nonprofit Hub, a nonprofit educational site dedicated to providing excellent content and resources for those leading nonprofits. She is the host of the Nonprofit Hub radio podcast and has spoken at countless conferences and conventions helping leaders to craft holistic communication and donor strategies. For over 10 years, Meghan was with Marketing Support Network, serving in key executive roles focused on communications strategies that help organizations of all sizes grow and scale. Meghan lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she is active with many organizations serving her inner city neighborhood.

Important Links and Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-speer55/

https://www.marketingsupportnetwork.com/

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In episode 116 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton interviews Jami Yazdani, a nonprofit project management expert specializing in helping organizations achieve their goals effectively. The conversation:

• Focuses on the nuances of project management in mission-driven organizations,

• Offers practical insights for nonprofit leaders to balance strategic vision and operational execution.

• Emphasizes prioritization, clear communication, stakeholder inclusion, and sustainable planning as critical to success.

Episode Highlights:

[00:06:31] Misconceptions About Project Management

[00:09:01] Stakeholder Management

[00:12:09] Communication Planning

[00:14:47] Writing a Clear Project Scope

[00:17:06] Defining a Project vs. Program

[00:23:02] Transition from Strategic Planning to Implementation

[00:29:00] Accountability and Engagement

[00:36:07] Invitation to Nonprofit Leaders

Guest Bio:
Jami Yazdani is a project management and planning consultant with over 18 years of experience leading innovative and impactful initiatives. She spent more than 14years in leadership roles in higher education and libraries, managing teams,projects, and change. Jami founded Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation in 2018 to help mission-driven organizations lead more impactful projects, teams, and planning. She has served on the boards of non-profits and associations in leadership, marketing, programming, and mentoring roles. Jami holds Master's degrees in Technology Management and Library and Information Science and ProjectManagement Professional (PMP), Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM), ChangeManagement, and Wicked Problem Solving Practitioner certifications.

Important Links and Resources:

https://yazdaniconsulting.com/

https://linktr.ee/yazdanicf

https://yazdaniconsulting.com/impactful-blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcWWX8w7MtE

https://yazdaniconsulting.com/resources/2022/2/7/5-key-elements-worksheet

Be in Touch:

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In episode 115 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Michael Butera dive into the challenges and opportunities facing associations as they adapt to 21st-century realities.

They talk about:

• The difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning

• Why acting like a three year old can be good for you (ask why five times in a row)

• How adaptability will be a key differentiator as to which organizations continue to grow and thrive.

[00:10:05] Strategic Thinking vs. Strategic Planning

[00:15:18] VUCA vs. BANI Frameworks

[00:20:58] The Role of Membership in Associations

[00:24:30] Governance Challenges

[00:28:06] Foresight and Observational Practices

[00:36:47] Adapting to Change

[00:45:57] Building Sustainable Cultures

Guest Bio:
Michael Butera is a keynote speaker featuring Strategic Thinking, Innovate or Stagnate: Adapting 20th Century Traditions to 21st-Century Realities. Practice areas include governance, restructuring, strategic facilitation, foresight, and coaching. He is an expert partner at the Rogue Tulip Consultants, a Toastmasters, and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Team Speaking Coach and Mentor.

Important Links and Resources:

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

Association ActiVision, LLC

https://www.michaelbuteraspeaks.com/

ASAE Drivers of Change: https://www.asaecenter.org/resources/asae-foresightworks

The Heath Brothers (Author of Switch and other books) https://heathbrothers.com/

SCARF model: https://www.bitesizelearning.co.uk/resources/scarf-model-david-rock-explained#:~:text=The%20SCARF%20model%2C%20introduced%20by,take%20steps%20to%20mitigate%20these.

BANI: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeroenkraaijenbrink/2022/06/22/what-bani-really-means-and-how-it-corrects-your-world-view/

VUCA: https://executiveacademy.at/en/news/detail/bani-vs-vuca-how-leadership-works-in-the-world-of-tomorrow/

Be in Touch:

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