I want to ax the entire board of my nonprofit except for one other person, and start over. That's harsh, but it's where I am at. It should not take 36 hours and counting to receive a response from a text message I sent out to two people asking about proper attendance for a meeting, so now I'm just running with it. And just about everything else. Setting agendas, leading meetings, if I didn't care about this nonprofit as a net positive for the city I live in, I'd let it die. But I'm going to drag this fuckin' thing kicking and screaming through the next year if I have to. Meanwhile we're still basically fuckin' broke and have not nearly enough board members. I have three meetings the upcoming two weeks to rectify one of those issues, which will in turn hopefully solve the other. We need a 3-5 year plan, very, very badly and I only have so much time. ... Went on a sunset hike up at Mt. Rainier with a great group of folks, and assembled tacos while we were up there. Had some laughs and more serious conversations about relationships. A lot of age gap questions and comments, since our group had people between 23 and 39 in it. My thought is that an "acceptable" age gap for dating and relationships really depends on where you're at in life. Funny that two of the guys had a much wider range than myself or most of the girls.
I have oodles of non-profit experience, and know of what you speak. For the most part, volunteers are only worth as much as you pay them. It's a sad thing to say, but universally true. While there are bright sparks from time to time, who will uplift your heart and validate all your efforts, they too will fade over time and eventually fail you. Non-profit success comes from making simple plans, with easily achievable goals, in short timeframes. Aim low: succeed. Aim low again: succeed again. Progress is turtle-slow, but it works for two key reasons: 1. Volunteers spend a short amount of time, and see their efforts have a meaningful effect. This gets them to come back and volunteer again. 2. "Big thinkers" get turned off and go away, and the more boring - but trustworthy - people who actually DO THINGS will stay. And do things. While the Big Picture People will be off pontificating and talking about 5-year plans, your meagre army of drone-like functionaries will push the ball ever forward. (See #1 above.) Take time for yourself. Don't burn yourself out. Slow and steady wins in the end. Good luck.
Appreciate the advice, especially this bit. Would you be open to a PM with some more specific details? I'm interested if you already know the event we put on (it's in the South Sound).For the most part, volunteers are only worth as much as you pay them. It's a sad thing to say, but universally true. While there are bright sparks from time to time, who will uplift your heart and validate all your efforts, they too will fade over time and eventually fail you.