May 8, 2013

Thank You to our Generous 2013 Risk SUMMIT Sponsors!

The 2013 Risk SUMMIT will convene this August 25 – 27 in Boston, MA. This annual educational and networking event would not be possible without the generous support of the SUMMIT Corporate Sponsors:

HCA Asset Management, LLC, 501c Agencies Trust, Tangram and ProSight Specialty Insurance, Great American Insurance Group, Canfield and NPIP, Charity First Insurance Services, Inc., First Nonprofit Insurance Company, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc., Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Riverport Insurance Company, Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and our Group of Companies. If you are interested in joining the line-up of sponsors, contact Kay Nakamura, Director of Client Solutions at (202)-785-3891 or at Kay@nonprofitrisk.org.

Inspired by Risk

By Erin Gloeckner

The staff members at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center find inspiration from many sources. We are moved by the ambitious missions of our consulting clients. We admire the unwavering dedication of our volunteer board. We marvel at the steadfast commitment of nonprofit leaders who embrace our tough love advice about risk management. Another source of inspiration is the creativity of risk thought leaders who engage their peers in the development or implementation of risk management strategies.

We also try to inspire our clients and AFFILIATE members to embrace risk-taking as a key to mission fulfillment. With risk and mission in mind, I wrote a poem for this week’s RISK eNews.

Molly Up to Bat

An event, a surprise, a fear come to life.

The big moment at the softball game.

My sister steps up, lights glaring, her breath visible in the cold night air.

Copying the others by slapping her bat on the plate. She never did that before.

The man beside me eagerly munches his hot dog.

A tasty reward after watching his son run home.

I squint my eyes, peering at my sister under bright field lights.

I hear the umpire yell twice: “STRIKE!”

Is it fate or chance? Will she strike out or win?

The boy on the mound winds up with a grin.

Focus is written in the lines of my sister’s face as she readies herself to take a swing of faith.

Children cheer in the stands as I shiver, chilly with uncertainty.

I watch, though I am tempted to look away, cowardly.

The ball takes years to cross the neatly trimmed grass, slowed by my nerves… my motherly concern.

I twist the tassels of my scarf as I wait to hear the call…

Then the ‘CRACK’ rings loud as her bat hits the ball!

Her coach screams “HOME!” and she stumbles into a giddy run.

Adrenaline surges through my heart as I begin to jump.

The painted diamond lights her way as she streaks past third.

Smiling ear to ear, she slides into the dirt.

Crowds chant my sister’s name at her first game of softball.

“Molly! Molly! Molly!”

Three swings to risk it all.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your risk management program, read one of our popular eBooks:

• Ready… Or Not: A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Executives
• Playing to Win: A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Sports and Recreation Programs
• Managing Special Event Risks: Ten Steps to Safety

Step Up to the Plate

If you have a story of inspired risk management you want to share with your peers, complete the online speaker proposal form for the 2013 Risk SUMMIT: www.nonprofitrisk.org/summit/speakers.asp. The new deadline for session proposals is May 15. Join us in Boston this August to hit one out of the ballpark by sharing your inspired approach to identifying and addressing the critical risks facing your nonprofit!

Erin Gloeckner is Project Manager at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, where she coordinates and supports consulting projects for a diverse array of clients. She’s also working on a brand-new book on managing partnership and fundraising risks. Erin welcomes your feedback on this article or questions about risk issues at erin@nonprofitrisk.org or (202) 785-3891.