At some point a year or two ago, I stopped calling it “my” nonprofit. In conversation I faltered in attempts to come up with new ways of explaining my role with the nonprofit I’d co-founded and led for the past 6 years. “The nonprofit I serve with,” and “The nonprofit I help lead” became new phrases. They were clumsy and a little awkward, still, but the alternative–continuing to call it “my”...
As a former chorus-geek and eternal lover/practitioner of vocal music, there was no denying I was going to love Glee. This may garner eye-rolls from the more serious and somber of TV-viewers, but I can’t help myself. It’s fun, it takes itself just seriously enough, and here’s a big plus in my book–It frequently illuminates the social issues and problems teens (and adults!) face in a...
When our Nonprofit Management professor asked if any one had any nonprofit news to share last week, I informed my classmates that February 14 – 20 was the annual Random Acts of Kindness Week in the hopes of getting my peers’ do-gooder inspirational juices flowing.
“Random acts of kindness just this week?” Our professor cheekily replied, and I smirked. No, I explained, Acts of Kindness —...
Perhaps like many in my generation, I, too, was a rabid Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan (if you weren’t, you should’ve been. It’s fantastic.). Looking back on how the adventures of this no-nonsense heroine inspired me growing up, I knew I couldn’t avoid blogging my tribute to Buffy. In fact, I think we can learn a lot from The Slayer when it comes to nonprofit leadership. So here it is, my...
Posted by
Amber on Feb 10th, 2011 in
Leadership Lessons |
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Every one supposedly has one of those memorable, life-changing teachers in their lives, and Marshall Butler, my high school choir teacher, was mine. He was hard on me and pushed me to do my best, and saw potential in me I hadn’t even seen yet. During a time I was shy and uncertain and told I could never have what it takes to be a leader, he put me in my first leadership position. As Soprano II Section Leader I...
Hello! My name is Amber Melanie Smith, and I am a recent Masters in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management graduate from NC State University. I am also a volunteer whisperer and nonprofit ninja, idealist, and unabashed lover of art, music, languages, history, kung fu, writing, a healthy level of geekery, and sappy tales of inspiration and heroes.
