MNA: The Ghostbusters for Montana Nonprofits
When we design our training schedule, we try to anticipate the needs of nonprofits across Montana. But we know that challenges and questions arise on a daily basis that can’t wait for a workshop or webinar. Which is why our “Help Desk” was built for you.
Over the past decade, MNA has received nearly 300 calls each year from members, nonprofit start-ups, and interested individuals on topics ranging from board governance to IT to financial management. That’s around 3,000 calls total, or 750 hours (an average call time of 15 minutes) helping nonprofits and nonprofit professionals better understand nonprofits management.
Needless to say, we’ve heard just about everything, from quick inquiries regarding Montana Code to serious concerns about ethical dilemmas and abuse of power. Sometimes we answer the questions directly – other times, we refer callers to an accountant, attorney, consultant, or expert. Either way, we are here to help you. And now, we are enhancing our services to make sure you get the support you need, when and how you want it:
Have a quick question?
“This is kind of a weird question...” is a line we hear over the phones at MNA almost every day. But for us, the weirder the better. Nonprofit best practices and legal requirements can be confusing, and we are here to help guide you to the answers, resources, and advice that will make your day better and your job easier. Whether you’re unsure about bylaws, have questions about lobbying and advocacy for nonprofits, or had a disagreement at your last staff meeting over legal requirements, give us a call. Our “MNA Help Desk” is just a dial (406-449-3717) or email away.
Well, that escalated.
Most of the time, we can point you in the right direction or connect you with an external resource in a reasonable amount of time. But some issues are more complicated than they first appear. If and when your small question turns into a larger hurdle, MNA is ready to help through individual consultation in the areas listed above (Next Generation Engagement, Advocacy + Public Policy, Financial Management, Governance and Leadership, Planning, Innovation, Communications, Products and Services). We will work with you to develop a consultation schedule and fee that works for you and your organization. If it falls outside of those categories, odds are we can refer you to a great expert or consultant that we trust.
Time for Training…
Sometimes the best remedy for a problem is rounding up the staff and/or board and learning together. If your organization would like a tailored training or private workshop, we offer trainings in the areas of Next Generation Engagement, Advocacy and Public Policy, Financial Management, Governance and Leadership, Planning and Innovation. Our trainings have been developed by content experts, and we present all our workshops with adult learning in mind – we train to outcomes, not to who can stare at a PowerPoint the longest without falling asleep. Which means we offer time to practice, immediate feedback, and support with implementation so you can make real changes that result in real impact.
Pick Your Flavor
We offer training on our standard curriculums but can also customize a training for your needs. We can come to you or we can work via Zoom and deliver the same great training at a lower cost. In-person training with our Executive Director and Primary Topic Consultants often require six hours and may cost a bit more. Training and consultation with MNA Staff can be delivered in a more flexible timeframe to match your needs and capacity.
So… Who ya gonna call?
Call us at 406-449-3717 or email [email protected] the next time you have that persistent question or want some friendly advice. If you’re interested in booking a consultation or training, please reach out to [email protected] to schedule a call and learn more.
Blog by Shelby Rogala | Professional and Organizational Development Director | Montana Nonprofit Association
