New office. New co-workers. New mission.. How do you start as a new Director of Development?

Your new boss may have planned orientation, staff meetings, and planning sessions for/with you.

Or

Someone may say, “There’s the coffee maker. There’s the bathroom. There’s your desk. Go!”

Either way, work in these first steps:

1. Read the Mission Statement. Keep that in mind. The missiion should drive everything you’re doing.

2. Study the website, marketing materials, FaceBook, Instagram, all social media. This is who your organization says it is. It is important to building trust with donors that words and actions match.

3. Meet with your Executive Director. This is the time to listen. Let the ED know you are collecting information in order to represent the organization more effectively.

Ask:

their vision,

their view of how development works,

what has worked in the past,

what they hope to see changed,

and who they see as the influencers (people others listen to) on the staff, the board, and among current donors.

4. Use the Executives Director’s list of influencers and add to it from your own observations. Who do people turn to when they need advice? Whose statements become policy. Who can kill an idea with a look. They may not have a title, but they have influence. Talk to them. Invite them to coffee away form the office. People tend to be franker when they know they won’t be overheard. Start with staff and –

Ask:

What drew you to this organization?

What do you see as our strengths?

Are there things we need to work on?

Are their minefields (topics or people) you should avoid or approach carefully.

Who do they see as influencers?

5. Set up meetings with board members. You can email, call, or meet in person. In person is most effective, when possible. Use the questions above and add:

How would you describe our current development program?

What do you see as development’s role?

How do you see your role in development?

6. In between these visits, study your data base. Who are your largest donors? Who are your long term donors? Set up meetings with them.

Ask:

How did you get connected with our organization?

Why do you support us?

What keeps you caring?

How do you like to connect? Email? In-person? Once a year. Often?

What could we improve?

7. Record your findings from each group: staff, board, and donors, in your data base.

The goal you are headed toward is strong relationships with people, who care about your mission, and who want to help. You have started your trip toward that goal by initiating relationships with key players and learning who the influencers are. By connecting with the influencers, you can multply the good you and your organization can do.

Now, help everyone keep the mission first in mind. Engage the whole team in making sure the organization has everything needed to do the most good.

You’re off to a good start!