Lay-Professional Leadership

Standards of Leadership [download PDF]
UJA-Federation of New York

This document provides lay leaders with a set of clear, concise expectations for their involvement with UJA-Federation — from giving to strategic planning and advocacy. The document addresses the lay–professional relationship and ties core Jewish values to leadership.

Who Is Responsible for the Board Doing a Good Job? [read article]
Jan Masaoka/Board Café

This brief article explores the paradoxical idea that the board’s success is ultimately the responsibility of the Executive Director and that the Executive Director’s performance and success is ultimately the responsibility of the Board.

The Nonprofit Sector’s Leadership Deficit [download PDF]
Thomas J Tierney

This March 2006 study from the Bridgespan Group looks into the growing leadership deficit in the nonprofit sector. Factors influencing this deficit include the exponential growth in the sector, the retirement of CEOs and other nonprofit leaders in place for decades, and increased demands on services and programs as needs grow across communities. The author presents several possible solutions to address this deficit, including additional investment in leadership capacity, increasing merit rewards for managers, and expanding the recruitment pool.

Nonprofit Leadership Development: A Selected Annotated Bibliography [download PDF]
AED Center for Leadership Development

This is a comprehensive list of tools and resources for those engaged in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and management and community development.

Leadership Tools for Change: A Five-Part Series [read article]
Selah Leadership Program, Provided by 21/64

This series allows lay leaders to assess their skills and explore different leadership paths; uncover their core values and learn how to plan; understand the importance of communicating and delivering your vision; effective listening skills; and learn how to remain focused and in control under difficult situations.

The Next Leaders: UWNYC Grantee Leadership Development and Succession Management Needs [download PDF]
David S. Birdsell & Douglas Muzzio

This 2003 study addresses the need for professional development and succession planning at New York's various nonprofit agencies. The study is based on focus groups comprising professional staff and examines the needs of professional staff and their views of leadership development.

Volunteer-Professional Relations: Intersecting Spheres of Influence [download PDF]
Miriam A. Schneirov and Stephen D. Solender

This 1995 article examines the roles of lay leaders and professionals in a historic context and looks into how the relationship is developing to meet the changing needs of nonprofits. Power sharing, access to information, and vision development are areas examined, and the article ends with a six-point guideline for effective lay–professional relationships.

Volunteer–Professional Relations Revisited [download PDF]
Miriam A. Schneirov and Stephen D. Solender

This 1999 article revisits the topic of relationships between the lay and professional begun with Solender and Schneirov in 1995. Topics include the changing context for the relationship and accepted premises for an effective relationship, and the authors suggest guidelines to follow for an effective lay–professional relationship.

Whither the Professional and Lay Leadership? [download PDF]
Sh’ma

This transcript from a 2004 roundtable sponsored by Sh’ma brings together lay and professional leaders from across the Jewish communal-service community. The participants look into what makes up a successful relationship and what can hold partners back from forming a strong partnership. Trustee engagement and donor independence are also examined.

Restructuring the Partnership [download PDF]
Judith Stern Peck

This brief article examines the changing dynamic of lay–professional partnerships in the Jewish communal-service world, including such issues as time management, gender relations, and class.

The New Lay–Professional Partnership [read article]
Louise Greilsheimer

A past president of UJA-Federation of New York shares the story of her volunteer career path at federation and addresses what an ideal lay–professional partnership looks like, including the natural tension that balances the agenda of the agency president with the agenda of the executive director.

Tenets of Leadership [read article]
Cheryl Gidley

This brief 2006 article discusses what makes a good leader, lay or professional, including a list of four leadership characteristics.

Collaborative Advantage: The Art of Alliances [read article]
Rosabeth Moss Kanter

This 1994 article from the Harvard Business Reviewe examines eight characteristics of a strong collaborative relationship. While focusing on businesses and business leaders, the article discusses the need for strong chemistry, willingness for introspection on the part of both partners, compatibility, and more.

Leading Boldly [download PDF]
Ronald A. Heifetz, John V. Kania, and Mark R. Kramer

This 2004 article explores the controversial idea of foundations exercising leadership to bring about the social change they fund through grants. The heart of the article is an exploration into what leadership is and how it is exercised, ending with guidelines for foundations to follow if they seek to harness the power of adaptive change.