Implementation Workshop

Introductions

Name Organization you represent - mission One great thing about your organization What is your personal experience/knowledge

of the Standards for Excellence® program

Welcome to Standards for Excellence - Implementation Workshop

Agenda: Introductions Panel of Organizations that have earned the

Seal Standards for Excellence Refresher Introduce Implementation Assessment Matrix Standards Code Implementation (by Guiding

Principle) Lunch with time for individual consultations Launching New Action Plan Earning the Seal

Panel Discussion and Q and A ENTER NAMES OF PANELISTS

Our Standards Efforts Thus Far Exercise Standards for Excellence progress with

implementation in your organization

Areas of greatest challenge with the Standards for Excellence thus far

How do you hope this workshop will help your organization?

Standards for Excellence Refresher

A tangible model for nonprofit organizations to carry out capacity building efforts

A framework with a clear statement of the organization’s commitment to best practices

A self-regulatory tool to ensure public confidence and public support

A demonstration of the organization's commitment to public service

Standards for Excellence Code

8 Guiding Principles and 55 Standards Mission and Program Governing Body Conflict of Interest Financial and Legal Human Resources Openness Fundraising Public Affairs and

Public Policy

Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code For the Nonprofit Sector

Sharing and Reflections on Our Standards Efforts Thus Far

Creating An Implementation/Action Plan

Review the individual standards in each of the code’s eight sections

Careful assessment of the Standards currently implementing; what is needed to implement the remaining Standards

Discuss and Design Implementation Strategies in a workable, achievable action plan

Goal: Implementation

Mission and Program

Defined Mission Statement

Evaluation Program Service

Standards

Reflection, Action Planning

Goal: Implementation

Human Resources

Personnel Policies Volunteer Policies Employee

Evaluation Employee

Orientation

Reflection, Action Planning

Lunch

Sign up for 15 minute consultations with Standards for Excellence Institute staff to assist with particularly difficult topics related to implementing the Standards for Excellence in your organizations

Goal: Implementation

Financial and Legal

Budgets Audits Financial Reports Financial

Impropriety Written Financial

Policies Legal Compliance

Reflection, Action Planning

Goal: Implementation

Governing Body

Roles and Responsibilities Planning Policies for the

organization Budget approval,

monitoring, and review of %

Hire, supervise, evaluate Exec Director

Salary structure review

Governing Body

Board Composition Committed Avoiding undue

influence Number of

members Term limits Diversity Volunteers

Governing Body

Board Conduct Operations Written

expectations Meeting at least

4/year Attendance and

participation Minutes

Goal: Implementation

Conflict of Interest

Disclose Everything Define Interested

Parties How Decisions Are

Made? Conflict of Interest

Policy Conflict of Interest

Statement Disclosure Forms

Reflection, Action Planning

Goal: Implementation

Openness

Annual Reports Mission Program Data Financial Data Board Key Staff

Public Access 990 1023 Determination Letter

Goal: Implementation

Fundraising

Fundraising Activities

Donor Relations/Privacy

Acceptance of Gifts Fundraising

Personnel

Reflection, Action Planning

Goal: Implementation

Public Affairs and Public Policy

Public Policy Advocacy

Public Education Promoting Public

Participation

Reflection, Action Planning

Educational materials specifically focused on the Standards for Excellence code

Direct technical assistance Standards for Excellence specific seminars Other topical training seminars

Providing the Help You Need

Essentials of Project Management

Single, dedicated, leader (project manager) Management support who delegates authority Dedicated team Clearly defined goals Plan that specifies action required Schedule Budget, resource allocation System to accommodate changes

Launching Your Plan

Who should be involved in the implementation process?

What is a realistic time frame for getting the work done?

How can you keep everyone focused on the deadlines?

The Standards for Excellence

Earning the Seal of Excellence

Take a Self-Assessment

Assemble Your Team

Develop & Follow Work plan

Access TA, Training, Resources

Take Stock of Progress

Apply for Certification

What’s already in place?

Who should be involved?

What requires board approval?

Should include deadlines

What models are

available?

Voluntary Certification Program Refresher Application process – a learning process in

itself Staff assisted Peer Review Process Certification good for three years, then

recertification every five years Approved organizations licensed to display

the Standards for Excellence seal

Introducing: Tiered recognition

• Easier to navigate• Go at your own

pace• Start at level one

or three• Each tier builds

on the previous!

Tier One: Essentials

Adherence to Basic Legal, Regulatory, and Governance Practices

Benefits Lower initial cost Responsive to limited time and resources Formally recognizes achievement and your

organization’s progress towards full Standards for Excellence certification.

Informal recommendations from program staff for future improvement and application to next tier.

Tier One: Essentials

Application process Submission of the Tier One application

package and checklist and application fee. Completion of a free online self-assessment

and orientation is also required. Program staff will complete the formal review of

the application. Organizations can remain at this tier for a term of

three years

Tier Two: Enhanced

Enhancing the Foundations of Nonprofit Management and Governance

Benefits Discounts for quickly moving through the tiers. Ability to state completion of the Standards for

Excellence Enhanced Tier. Additional informal recommendations from program

staff for future improvement and application to next tier.

Tier Two: Enhanced

Application Process Prior completion of Tier One. Submission of the Tier Two application

package and checklist and application fee. Completion of the free online self-assessment.

Program staff will complete the formal review process, with final approval by the Ethics Standards Committee.

Organizations can remain at this tier for a term of 3 years

Tier Three: Certified

Standards for Excellence Seal Holder All 55 Standards are included in the third tier Benefits

Earn and display the Seal of Excellence State that their organization is “Standards for

Excellence Seal”, or “Approved Under Maryland Nonprofits’ Standards for Excellence” or “is a Standards for Excellence® Accredited Organization.”

Tier Three: Certified

Application Process Can apply directly for Tier Three, or previously complete both

Tiers One and Two. Submission of the application package and checklist and

application fee.

Review Process Program staff will first review the application. Anonymous peer reviews will evaluate the application second. Lastly, the Ethics Standards Committee must approve the staff

and peer reviewers’ recommendation for certification.

The Standards for Excellence certification will be awarded for three years.

How do organizations earn the Seal?

Submit application

to

Institute Staff

——

Determines if the

application is

complete?

Undergo 2nd review by

Peer Reviewers

——

Determines if the

Standards have been

met?

Undergo 3rd review by

Ethics Standards Committe

e

——

Determines if

organization should be approved?

Phase I Phase II Phase III

Easing the application review process

Submit a complete application. Provide concise, clear explanations. Less is sometimes more. Budget time to respond to staff and peer reviewer

questions. Adhere to deadlines. Contact staff for guidance, prior to submitting your

response. Policies should be board-approved. Use our “Hints & Tips for Completing the Certification”

What are the benefits of earning the Seal?

“Displaying the Standards for Excellence® seal provides reassurance to donors that they are contributing to an agency whose services are of high quality and whose administrative and financial practices are sound.”

-John F. Plaskon, Executive Director

Crossroads Community, Inc.

What are the benefits of earning the Seal?

“To review every level of PLASE’s program and operation helped us to revisit, fine-tune and improve -- like a spring housekeeping or renewal.”

--Mary C. Slicher, Executive Director, Project PLASE, Inc.

What are the benefits of earning the Seal?

“An important outcome of this process has been better trained staff and volunteers that have a stronger understanding of our mission, philosophy and operating systems. We believe we are a stronger organization, as a result.”

--John Sciavone, Executive Director

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore

What are the benefits of earning the Seal?

“Since the Resource Center received the Standards for Excellence three years ago, we have received funding from foundations that never looked at us before.”

-Prince George’s Child Resource Center

Your Next StepsHow will You Proceed in your own organization?

Questions and Answers

Wrap Up/Evaluation

INSERT NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF PRESENTERS