Strategy Solutions, Inc.

08/25/2026

Most board problems are not people problems. They are clarity problems, because nobody ever agreed on who decides what.

Today at The Capacity Lab’s 2026 Retreat at SUNY Fredonia, Jacqui Catrabone is presenting “Houston, We Have a Board Problem: Navigating Common Governance Pitfalls,” and Debra Thompson is joining Linda Moore of the Sight Center of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Adam Bratton of The Nonprofit Partnership for a panel called “Stronger Together: Exploring the Collaboration Continuum.”

Here is one takeaway for anyone who cannot be in the room: collaboration is not a yes or no vote, it is a continuum that runs from sharing information all the way to merger, and the right move is almost always the next step rather than the biggest one.

What is the governance pitfall your board keeps circling back to?

08/05/2026

We are proud to be part of the consultant collaborative. Anyone who is a member can apply for a scholarship to receive consulting services and access support from us!

Here at PANO, we know how valuable your time, resources, mission, and funds are. That’s why we’ve teamed up with experienced consultants who can help you advance your mission and […]

07/31/2026

The hardest part of planning isn't deciding what to do. It's deciding what to stop doing.

Today Deb and Jacqui spent the day with the Dauphin County Library System's board and leadership team, shaping the next few years, informed by 62 staff and board voices.

One takeaway for any organization: libraries are free to use, never free to run. Communities can only support what they understand.

07/27/2026

Could around-the-clock childcare keep more Erie County parents in the workforce?

For more than 50 years, our client, Northwest Institute of Research, Inc. has supported Pennsylvania’s early childhood system through innovative programs, resources, and partnerships that strengthen children, families, and communities. Through the work of its JAM Team Foundation, NWIR is developing a new model of 24/7 home-based child care designed to ensure children ages 0–12 have access to a safe, high-quality, supportive learning environment while parents work the shifts our communities depend on.

Two quick, confidential surveys make the difference:

HR Leaders: https://lnkd.in/gU7hKEVT
Employees: https://lnkd.in/gH259why

Your input helps us see where support is working, where gaps exist, and how employers can better retain and support working families

07/24/2026

Please encourage anyone you know who is qualified for this position to apply

The Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center has announced his retirement after 17 years of service. His legacy will be preserved by the organization, and the Board of Directors has

07/24/2026

Please encourage anyone who is qualified to apply.

07/21/2026

Every community that loves its libraries eventually runs into a tough question: how do you keep them strong and financially sustainable for the long term — without losing the local control, trust, and character that make each one special?

Yesterday, Deb and Jacqui had the honor of facilitating the Wayne Library Alliance Board Retreat, bringing together more than 35 library directors, trustees, and community leaders to review the findings of a months-long study on the alliance's future.

Big decisions like these can get pulled in a lot of directions. So instead of letting the loudest voice win, we grounded the conversation in a shared decision framework — a criteria matrix that scored every option against priorities the board agreed on in advance: financial sustainability, governance, and operations. Every library board and director had a voice in the process, and the results were shared openly so everyone could see where there was agreement and where there were differences.

Here's something any board or organization can take away: decide what matters before you weigh your options. When you agree on your priorities first, the conversation shifts from opinions to what truly serves the community.

That's the heart of how we work at SSI — combining solid data, real stakeholder input, and neutral facilitation to help boards find common ground and a clear path forward.

What matters most to you about the future of your local library? 💬

05/22/2026

Thank you Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) for sharing this important information that we think all boards need to hear.

A nonprofit is not a laboratory for a rotating cast of individuals to test new theories. It is a community trust.

05/19/2026

Another thing Debra A. Thompson has written is an article for GoErie.com | Erie Times-News 😊 She shares her thoughts on the importance of protecting a nonprofit's mission from the 'new idea' trap. Check it out today!!

A nonprofit is not a laboratory for a rotating cast of individuals to test new theories. It is a community trust.

05/19/2026

Our Founder and CEO, Debra A. Thompson, just contributed to the Standards for Excellence Institute blog! Read the article below to learn more about how your board can avoid agenda drift and stay effective for every meeting💪

https://standardsforexcellence.org/2026/05/14/dont-drift-how-boards-stay-on-course-in-the-boardroom-and-beyond/