Danosky & Associates

Consulting for Non-profit Organizations

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Just LOVE!

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By Atka Danosky

Just LOVE!

There are some humans that have a problem with other humans who do not look like they look.

And there are some humans that have a problem with other humans who do not live where they live.

And there are some humans that have a problem with other humans who do not speak like they speak.

When a dog meets a human, we welcome them with exuberant joy and an open heart filled and ready to love.  We run to greet them, tails wagging, tongue hanging, spinning in circles, leaping and jumping…Yes. Full of exuberant joy!

Hmmm…Humans spend a lot of time and money teaching dogs how to behave.  Maybe it is time we teach them how to… just LOVE!   It makes you so much happier.

Thoughts to ponder…..

Atka,

Director of Goodwill

Continuing the Conversation

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By Sharon Danosky

When you are engaging in conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion, it is important to think in terms of an ongoing dialogue and one that consistently looks at your organization’s purpose through a racial equity lens. Here are some questions we have developed that can keep the conversations going:

• Have a dialogue at your board meeting about your mission and vision and what does that mean in terms of being more inclusive?

• Understand the diversity within your community and among the people you serve. How is that community represented in your board decision-making?

• Have a meaningful discussion around values as they relate to diversity, equity and inclusion. Articulate those values and transform them into a heartfelt diversity statement

• Who currently serves on your board? What is your goal for the future make-up of your board? Discuss whether or not you want to set a goal you can work toward or just be vigilant as you recruit. Make it an authentic effort, not one that meets a quota

• Create a pipeline of diverse, qualified people with different skills and talents, so that when an opening occurs you can fill it with the best fit rather than looking for a warm body

• Avoid tokenism. Each board member, regardless of their color or ethnicity, represents one person’s views and does not speak for an entire race or culture. The goal is to have diverse thought around the board table, and to do that you must recruit a truly diverse board

Leading Your Organization on a Journey Toward Racial Equity

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By Matthew Krumholtz

2020 amplified the need for nonprofit organizations to assess their own journeys toward promoting racial equity. From the uprisings for racial justice in the summer of last year, to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last month, the importance of diversity and racial equity to the work of nonprofits is only growing more urgent. 


Does your organization listen to the voices and perspectives of people from underserved or underrepresented communities? To what extent is racial equity a core part of the organization’s strategic and operational functions, or does it only exist as a page in a policy document?


We encourage nonprofit clients to consider racial equity holistically and to understand how their vision, mission, and services can align with their learning journey around diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that applying a racial equity lens across all areas of your organization will strengthen internal policies and practices as well as deepen external impact. 


The National Council of Nonprofits has assembled a useful and informative guide that organizations can use to start these conversations with staff and board members. They include questions to help develop a DE&I Action Plan, as well as practical tools to lead these assessments in your organization.

Goodwill for the New Year

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From time to time we like to consider the perspective of our Director of Goodwill (DOG), Atka and channel her thoughts. In that spirit, here are Atka’s musings on what we learned in 2020 and aspirations for 2021:  


Over the past year, I’ve been hearing my human say how hard things have been…But, to be honest, this has been the best year of my life! My human was home so much more, I got to go on more walks, and I spent almost every day outside! I know there are lots of humans that need help staying happy and being positive in the New Year, and as the Director of Goodwill, that’s what I’m here for! From my perspective, here are a couple of lessons we’ve learned this past year that we can hopefully keep in our back pocket to make sure 2021 is brighter.


1) Enjoy the little things: I love it when my human buys me new food and takes me on an extra-long walk! I have also seen lots of new walking trails, smelled lots of new smells, and my owner has gotten me lots of different yummy treats!


2) Focus on what matters most: My human still works long days, but I love when she snuggles up with me after dinner and we get to relax in our cozy home. I miss seeing my co-workers every day, but I am so happy when they stop by and play with me outside!


3) Make time for your passions: For me, it’s exercise. I love to run, jump, and play outside! I come in and out of the house all the time so that my humans have to get up from their seats to let me out! 


4) Give it all you’ve got: I love to give myself a new challenge every once in a while, whether it’s jumping over a fence or teaching myself a new game. Whatever I do, I do it until I master it so I can impress my human and her friends!

5) Be nice: I’m constantly making new friends on my walks, and I always wag my tail to let everyone know how happy I am to meet them. I hardly ever growl, and I make sure to be very appreciative to everyone who shows me love (which is everyone)!


The past year has been hard for so many, but I am so lucky to have been able to play more, love more, and spend more time with the humans I love. Happy New Year to all my two and four-legged friends!

Our Mission

We provide nonprofits the guidance, support and tools necessary to build a better world.

Our Vision

Every nonprofit will have the capacity to fulfill their missions and make the world a better place. 

Who We Are

Danosky & Associates is an action-oriented, results driven consulting firm that builds nonprofit capacity, applied through an equity lens with innovative strategies for an ever-emerging future. 

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