On Wednesday, Rosetta Thurman and I hosted our first #ynpchat of the year on creating a 2012 nonprofit career plan.  The questions, adapted from Rosetta’s powerful piece on the 15 questions you should ask about your nonprofit career, strengthened our sense of pride in our work and allowed us to walk away with a better vision and strategy on how to rock our careers in 2012.

1.  What do you most want to get out of your involvement with the nonprofit sector?  In other words, why are you here? What are you hoping to learn and do that will help you grow professionally and personally?

2.  What accomplishments in your nonprofit career were you most proud of in 2011?  I must say that the responses to this questions blew me away.  From raising money, to implementing new programs, to finding our voice in the sector,  we clearly have done a lot of good for ourselves and others.  Yet so often, we are quiet about the work we do, thinking that to focus on accomplishments is taking attention away from the problems we may be addressing.  Yet the reality is, if we dont celebrate what we do, nobody else will and our accomplishments often lead to more interest in our work.   So let your light shine, people!  My challenge to participants: do you have a portfolio of your accomplishments?

3.  What opportunities do you want to take advantage of in 2012 to grow your leadership and further your nonprofit career? This question essentially has two parts 1. Understanding how you would like to grow and 2. identifying those opportunities that would aid in your growth. In reflecting on your accomplishments and your reasons for choosing your work, it’s easier to think about how you’d like to grow and seek programs, events, or other opportunities that would help you.

4.  What’s ONE step you can take in the next 30 days to make progress on your 2012 career goals?  I don’t know about you, but it’s so easy for me to make a list of my goals then walk away hoping they get done.  30 days to take one step makes progress actionable and manageable.

5.  Given your 2012 career goals, what’s your ONE-WORD theme to guide your work for the year?  VISION.   FOCUS. CREATIVITY.  DISCIPLINE.  My personal favorite: STRENGTHEN.  Thinking of the previous questions, what  word embodies your success, your ambitions, and your plans?

This was one of the most exciting chats we’ve hosted and proved to be a great way to kick of the new year.  Didn’t participate in the chat?  Check out the responses on twitter.  You can also share your thoughts below, on facebook, or tweet your responses using the#ynpchat hashtag so we can keep the conversation going.  And be sure to join us Wednesday, February 1, 12PM-1PM EST for the next chat!

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Last week, Rosetta Thurman and I hosted our monthly twitter chat #ynpchat for young nonprofit professionals. The topic was Mentoring: What is it and how can young nonprofit professionals get it? We all know the importance of mentoring in your professional (and personal) growth. The challenge is defining, pursuing, and maintaining positive supportive mentoring relationships. During the conversation I took away some great points. However, it’s clear that each mentoring relationship is unique and structured around the needs of the people in the relationship.

Here are some first steps to get you started:

1. Expand your definition of what a mentor/mentoring looks like.

@hollyhight: used to think mentorship had to be formal agreement. expanding my view of mentors as anyone I can learn from
@DFooksman: My grad school advisor plus several former bosses/ExecDirectors. I also have peer mentors and eMentors
@byik: I see a mentor as someone that will wrestle w/important professional questions w/you and can be constructively critical of you
@lindsayinMPLS: Seek out programs/fellowships with emphasis on mentoring

A mentor can be hands on or a little more removed. You can be mentored face-to-face or have a wonderful e-mentorship. It can be individual or part of a group/fellowship. It really depends on you.

2. Know what you need from a mentor.

@officialjos: I have mentors for diff. areas of my life (i.e. work, np pursuits, loftier goals like writing a novel and even relationships
@bamamm: Each “mentor” provides something different at different times.
@AllisonnTweets: e-mentors-YES. offline mentors-NO. my offline mentors dont have experience in nonprofit; i met before my nonprofit career
@rosettathurman: mentors did many favors when just starting got me into important conferences, intro me to the “right” ppl
@tammiejones: Mentors have also been a valuable resource for me when I’ve felt “stuck” or uninspired in my work.

How your relationship is structured depends on what you need. Maybe you are just starting your career and need some support on thriving in your first nonprofit job. Maybe you want to start a business and specifically want guidance in in first steps or making a big move. Or maybe you dont have a specific need, but want someone who will just be there to support you.

3. Be proactive in finding and maintaing a mentorship!

@mySahana: Network, network, network! Ask friends, classmates, coworkers if they know someone in a field of expertise you need.
@RobynFehrman: Also join/contact professional membership org & see if they have a formal mentoring program. No? Start one!
@odguru: Best prac 4mentees:initiate conversations; debate don’t argue; apply learning & tell them how u did; give fdbk on what’s helpfu
@mysahana: Establish trust and boundaries. Regular check-in schedule helps
@kbleutz: Quarterly check-ins work well, informally. Or, I try to find opportunities to collaborate on a project if we can

While it is true mentorships can be organic, it doesnt hurt to ask someone to be a mentor and be active in maintaining that relationship. Actively search for mentors and when you find someone, don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask for mentorship. Keep in regular contact while being mindful of their time, share feedback on what is helpful, be open to learning.  I also stress the importance of finding a mentor who has time to actually mentor you.

4. Say thank you!

@dan_blakemore: I find it very interesting that so many of us have mentors who may not know that they play that role in our lives

This point by Dan stuck with me throughout the chat. How often do we thank people for their support? Whether it is formal or informal, thank people who have been helping you. I’m a fan of simple Thank You cards

Did you participate in the #ynpchat?  What do you have to share?  How do you define mentorship?

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On Wednesday Rosetta and I, along with special guest the Denver chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network hosted our sixth twitter chat for young nonprofit professionals.  The topic was:  how can young nonprofit professionals build their network?  Almost 100 people participated sharing over 400 tweets of valuable information and resources.  As always, I’ve highlighted some of the tweets below.

Q1.  How do you define networking?

@nicycle: Networking for me is every everyday interaction. There is nothing that I can’t help someone with, and no one I can’t learn from
@commutiny: Networking for me is being able to put people and ideas together, requires a good memory and has to be fun
@shariyatweets: Meeting people in my field in an informal setting & getting to know them more than just their job title
@sam_pierre: For me, networking is about building capacity in others & allowing them to build up my own by sharing tips, advice, contacts

Q2.  What are some examples of how networking has benefited your career?

@msohai: Networking is how I’ve landed gigs/internships/jobs. It’s essential!
@rosettathurman:  Networking has exposed me to “hidden” opportunities in the #nonprofit field – esp. jobs & board openings
@amaleahijar: networking has gotten me jobs, internships, and introduced me to additional educational resources and outlets

@snotforprofit: Using social media to network has been beneficial especially because I don’t live in the states!

@josepagina:  i’ve been able to increase my capacity to affect change

@josepagina‘s tweet really resonated with me and other participants.  By expanding the people we connect with and get to know, we put ourselves in a stronger position bring about social change.  We have access to more resources, ideas, and can provide support when challenges arise.  It goes beyond simply “I can get a job” to “I can change the world.”

Q3.  How do you know if you have a strong professional network?

@SarahFischler: a strong network means you are on contact with people when you DON’T need them!
@JackieMersereau: Strong social network= When you are learning as much as you are teaching
@silverbell: You know you have a strong professional network: You ask your network a question before you google it
@samuelisaac: It’s a matter of law of abundance vs. law of scarcity. A weak network is competitive, a strong network lifts all boats.
@daniellewriter: Variety = strength. people of mutiple generations and industries cause we can learn from all

Q4.  What has been biggest challenge for you in building a stronger network? How did you overcome it?

@nicycle: my biggest challenge has been attempting to help beyond my capacity. You can NOT do for everyone. You can’t.
@rosettathurman: Another challenge is that many ppl assume you want to network w/everybody. But everyone is not my automatic colleague
@gtak: Felt uncomfortable initiating meetings w/ strangers – developed strong web presence (blog)/reputation, so they come to me
@silverbell: Biggest challenge in network is being too focused. Need to branch out beyond nonprofit peeps. Diversity is important!
@JoppaThoughts: Meeting other folk? I follow local folks on twitter and hosted a tweetup. Tons of fun and new friends not in my industry.

Q5.  What are some of the ways you have built your network? Online? In-person? Good resources?

@ShannonRenee: attend events, free, inexpensive & high-end; tweet; follow ppl & engage them; putting out valuable info
@aokolue: Curiosity: Genuine interest in ppl & their experiences, goals/direction. Then try to discover how I can help them get there
@ajlovesya: May seem corny but the book How to Win Friends and Influence People was a great resource for me when I started working
@SarahFischler: Participating in efforts, like the revision of our local common grant app. Great way to meet people and show leadership

@CrookdRiverWmn: I’ve used “just paying the bills” jobs to network. Made great ones while babysitting and catering.

You can check out the transcript or search for specific responses on twitter by including A1, A2, etc for the answers you want.  Be sure to join us September 1st 12pm EST for the next chat!

How would you answer some of these questions?  Respond in the comments!

Previous #ynpchats:

Professional Development for Young Nonprofit Professionals

The Importance of Board Service for Young Nonprofit Professionals

How Can Young Nonprofit Professionals Become Leaders?

How Can Young Nonprofit Professionals Make More Money in this Field?

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