Columbus
A Peer Group for Leaders in Not-For-Profit Organizations
Do you lead a not-for-profit organization?
During 2011, I began forming peer groups for CEOs. Among the 100+ members across the first groups, several not-for-profit CEOs enjoyed — and substantially contributed to — the experience and peer influence.
And yet, they said, “We are different. Our organizations are truly mission oriented. We are building communal assets, rather than personal ownership equity. And we are assessed by a board…
“We might be founders and builders, but we are stewards rather than owners.”
— Beth Paul
Beth said, “Let’s assemble a new peer group, one for leaders with executive authority in not-for-profit organizations.“
We launched the group in January 2018.
Introducing Super Group
- Meetings:
- Monthly, usually on second Tuesdays
- One monthly meeting is our annual overnight retreat (in Yellow Springs, Ohio) — when gatherings resume
- Invitations to Vistage speakers visiting other Birdhouse groups (“Birdhouse” is the community of Vistage members in my practice.) See the current offerings at Birdfeeders.info.
- Monthly meetings of Triads (groups of three members) for accountability and small-group issue processing.
- Members: CEOs and Executive Directors of not-for-profit organizations — no competitors, no conflicts.
- Dues, paid in advance:
- $5,122 annually
- or $2,601 semi-annually
- or $440 monthly (12 months per year)
- and, for qualifying organizations, The Columbus Foundation generously offers a subsidy toward membership.
- note: historically, Vistage has annually raised dues approximately 3% each October.
- Rebecca Brown Asmo, Executive Director, Ohio Humanities
- Ann Bischoff, CEO, Star House
- Erin Blue, Executive Director
- Tasha Booker, Senior Vice President, City Year
- Melanie Corn, President, Columbus College of Art & Design
- Mike Davis, President, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio
- Rachael DeLeon, Executive Director, Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education
- Luke Dennis, General Manager & President, WYSO Public Radio
- Rachel D.K. Finney, Executive Director, Columbus Humane
- Gina Ginn, CEO,Columbus Early Learning Centers
- Amy Gordon, Executive Director, Communities In Schools
- Paula Haines, Executive Director, Freedom a la Cart
- Eric Karolak, President, Action for Children
- Lark T. Mallory, President & CEO, Affordable Housing Trust
- Mark Mecum, CEO,Ohio Children’s Alliance
- Katharine Moore, Executive Director, The Jefferson Avenue Center
- Karen Mozenter, CEO, Jewish Family Services
- Erin Nealy, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Bridgeway Academy
- Kristin Schaub, CEO, Greenleaf Job Training Services
- Emily Quick Schriver, CEO, The Matriots
- Jess Sparks, Girls on the Run
- Yohannan (Yogi) Terrell, CEO, Columbus Fashion Alliance
- Sonya Thesing, Executive Director, Huckleberry House
- Deborah Aubert Thomas, President & CEO, Philanthropy Ohio
- Phil Washburn, President & CEO, Furniture Bank
- Beth Weinstock, Founder & CEO, BirdieLight
- Ally Zahler, Executive Director, Reeb Avenue Center
A kind-hearted, but candid statement of intention
Qualitatively, we will admit people who are firing on all cylinders:
- are smart, ambitious, and successful
- are trusting and trustworthy
- are earnest, but don’t take themselves too seriously
- are kind-hearted (no jerks)
- play the big game — are willing to bring their biggest challenges
- can engage — show up on time, focus (no cell phones), lean in
- will confront their peers kindly
- are experienced enough to know they need to change — and energetic enough to do it.
This group is for “A” Players. If you are an “A” Player, here is a message for you.