Having a good process for decision-making supports leaders and helps build high-performing organizations. With this in mind, we are pleased to share with you an excerpt from "RAPID^SM Decision-Making,” a Bridgespan Group article offering a simple, well-tested framework that organizations can use to map how they make decisions today, and how they might make them more effectively tomorrow.

RAPID was developed at Bain & Company, Inc. (and is discussed in a Harvard Business Review article: “Who Has the D? How Clear Decision Roles Enhance Organizational Performance,” by Paul Rogers and Marcia Blenko, January 2006). The RAPID process was then adapted and piloted by our Bridgespan colleagues in several consulting engagements with nonprofits, to great effect. Creating and sharing tools like these—as we have the Bridgestar Hiring Toolkit—is an important part of our mission to partner with you in building a stronger nonprofit sector.

Our version of this article makes a specific reference to the value of RAPID in helping a hiring manager to articulate the responsibilities and lines of authority for a senior management position. One could also easily imagine how RAPID could be used to support the process of recruiting itself; that is, what role each member of the team is to have in the hiring process. We have not yet used RAPID ourselves in that way, but expect that we will—and look forward to hearing your feedback if and when you do!

Regards,

The Bridgestar Team
 

• What steps has your organization taken to improve its decision-making process?
• How does your organization ensure that all appropriate constituencies are included in key decisions?
• What is the biggest obstacle to good decision-making at your organization?

Visit our discussion board to submit your comments to these and many other Bridgestar community questions.

You are invited to meet Encore author Marc Freedman
Please join us to learn how baby boomers are inventing a new state of life and work.

When: Monday, November 5, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Boston Public LIbrary, Rabb Lecture Hall
Copley Square - 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

Sponsored by: Boston Public Library, Civic Ventures, Discovering What's Next (DWN), ExperienceCorps-Boston (Generations Incorporated)

For further information: Boston Public Library (617) 859-2212

Human Resources in Nonprofit Organizations
An Entrepreneurial Approach to Staff and Personnel Issues
Presented by the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management Co-sponsored with American Humanics Student Association 

• Transformation of H.R. into an Executive Leadership Function
• Recruitment, Retention and Employee Relations
• Strategic Human Resources for Smaller Organizations

Panel Moderator – Dr. Joel Levy, Chief Executive Officer of YAI National Institute for People with Disabilities
Panelists: Angela Ottomanelli, Senior Human Resources Generalist, March of Dimes Connie Zalk, Vice President, Human Resources, College Board
November 13, 2007, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
135 East 22nd Street, Room 301
Space Limited – RSVP Required
Email nonprofit_workshops@baruch.cuny.edu, Phone: 646-660-6743

Send your community announcements to: info@bridgestar.org.

Bronx, NY

Established in 1995, CitiWide Harm Reduction is dedicated to reducing the adverse health, social, and economic costs of drugs in New York City. In a safe and supportive, participant-led community, CitiWide offers a wide variety of outreach, services, and care to homeless and low-income drug users living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. Through CitiWide's outreach efforts and partnerships, the organization seeks to proactively fill the gaps that exist among many of the traditional treatment settings.

Reporting to the board of directors, the Executive Director is responsible for overall management of the agency, which s/he carries out with an active and highly competent staff and a committed board of directors. The role requires an individual with exceptional operations, capital raising, and business leadership skills, encompassing activities that range from strategic planning and budgeting to facilities management and advocacy. The Executive Director must place an ongoing emphasis on continually identifying best practices, supporting inherent cultural strengths and anticipating growth’s impact on processes. The Executive Director must immerse himself/herself in CitiWide’s programs, build strong bonds with the team and take ownership of CitiWide’s ongoing success, displaying a passion for the mission and serving as the agency’s champion to all sectors.

The Executive Director will be thoroughly committed to CitiWide’s mission and have experience managing a complex community-based organization. S/he must be comfortable working in a rapidly changing, dynamic environment, be able to shift priorities as needed, with the understanding that participants’ lives are ultimately what is at stake. CitiWide seeks a leader, someone who will immerse himself/herself in the agency’s activities, support the team as needed to continually broaden CitiWide’s impact, and run the organization as if it was his/her own business. S/he must have seven to 10 years of nonprofit experience, including five+ years managing a division or agency and experience managing a complex, growing budget from multiple funding sources. Demonstrated fundraising experience is mandatory.

Chicago, IL

Mission: America’s Disabled, a nonprofit organization formed in 1989 with the purpose of providing access to high quality medical care and the latest medical innovations to seniors and homebound persons in order to reduce the amount of their hospitalizations, delay or prevent their transfer to nursing homes, and lessen the stress on caregivers. We strive to assist our patients in finding resources that will aid them in maintaining their independence, thereby allowing them to remain in their homes and a part of our communities.

Board Development Plans: We are currently looking to redevelop our board. Currently, we have a President who began this organization who will continue to serve on the board and would like to add another 4-6 members. We are looking for people who work in a variety of sectors and who are interested in improving the lives of seniors and increasing their access to healthcare. The board would probably meet bi-monthly, perhaps more frequently the first few months just to get acquainted. We especially need help with fundraising as we are looking to plan our first fundraising event at the beginning of next year. We would expect all board members to help either donate items to the event [it will be a silent auction] and to assist us in getting their colleagues to attend the event. Other areas that we need help with are outreach and organizational assessment and development.

Year Founded: 1989

Board Meets: Annually