It’s been said that meetings are a place where minutes are kept and hours are lost. And for good reason. Not only are most meetings not necessary, but they seem to drag on to the point where, at first, you’re kind of afraid you might die, then you come to the stark realization that you may not. But here’s the interesting thing. Even though everyone seems to share this sentiment, we are spending more time in meetings now than ever before.
Giving Hearts Day–February 12th, 2026, is officially 126 days away! We’ve developed a five-step blueprint that you, your staff, and your board can follow to make the most of this year’s Giving Hearts Day (and we will zero-in on steps 1-2 this time, and 4-5 next time.) Let’s dive in.
A wise leader is teaching his young apprentices the key to bringing out the very best in others. “A fight is going on inside all of us,” the wise leader said to his young protégés. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.”
A lesson about planning and why it matters. In 1911, two of the most revered polar explorers, Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen, engaged in an epic battle of wills and skills to be the first to reach the South Pole. These two renowned explorers were polar opposites.
Superman had super strength, super speed, and super vision (and he could freaking FLY). Batman possessed physical perfection and intellect. Wonder Woman carried the golden lasso. The Green Lantern sported his magic ring. And just like the superheroes of our youth, as leaders, we all have superpowers too.
Bowling (yes, bowling) is one of the most widely-played sports in America. In fact, 67 million Americans do it regularly. What is it about bowling that makes it so attractive for so many people? Is it the shoes? Is it the camaraderie? Is it the stylishly-retro, short-sleeved shirts?
Ever wonder what would happen if you swore off ultra-processed foods for a month?
Two simple words: Thank You.
It costs you nothing to say them.
And when you do, these two words have the power to set hearts ablaze.
They have the power to build bridges. They have the power to ignite life-changing energy. They have the power to create things that last.
Yet, without them, it can cost you everything.
As simple as all this sounds, it’s heartbreaking to know that a significant percentage of donors never receive a prompt, heartfelt thank you.
In fact, a 2024 EverTrue report showed that a stunning 58% of first-time donors do NOT receive a follow-up interaction after their first gift.
58%. Ouch.
And this is where your board members can play a meaningful role in taking your nonprofit to the next level.
Clinical psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair said it best, “…Texting is the worst possible training ground for anyone aspiring to a mature, loving, sensitive relationship.”
This Just In. Researchers have now discovered that ending your board meeting on a positive note significantly improves your directors’ overall memory and perception of the experience—even if it didn’t go particularly well. When it comes to your board meetings, LAST impressions matter most.