Louder NonProfit Strategies, LLC

05/05/2026

For my friends who are in ACCE’s Hometown Chambers peer network (or should be), I’ll be presenting a virtual program on Board Governance Practices That Can Protect Your Job (working title). This presentation comes out of ACCE’s realization that too many execs are leaving the industry, and lax board governance practices contribute. The program is May 13th at 330 pm, and if you’re already in the group you should have received an email. Hope to “see” some of you there!

https://secure.acce.org/pages/networks/ #

Jumpstart your executive education by taking advantage of ACCE's peer learning networks. Share innovative best practices, ask questions and generate new ideas by joining a peer group today.

04/01/2026

Another amazing time with chamber execs and staff from across the Carolinas at CACCE’s Staff Development conference. Caught up with old friends, made some new ones, even learned a bit about how chambers (and really anybody) can leverage AI safely to improve productivity. Oh - and learned to play Blank Slate - so much fun I ordered one!

But take it from the board governance specialist - please don’t use AI to record and create transcripts of Board meetings as minutes, or as the basis for minutes. It’s no better than recording a meeting, but without the guarantee you can destroy the recording once minutes are adopted by the Board because it’s captured in the Cloud. I feel an article coming on…

Special thanks to Kim Effler of the McDowell Chamber for organizing a great conference! And ALWAYS to Tiffany Fulmer Ott for going above and beyond - particularly for ordering these cups for the breaks I sponsored!

11/23/2025

Hey, friends! As many of you have discovered, I’m not very good about updating by FB business page. I’d like to be better! What kind of updates would you find helpful? Article links (my own and others)? Sharing suggested solutions to issues my (anonymous) clients are facing? Asking your ideas about solutions? Supportive memes (think the ones on your door everyday at SE Institute)?

I’m open to ideas…

10/30/2025

Great second day (first full day) at CACCE with my favorite chamber people!

11/21/2024

Spending a few days with the talented chamber execs of the Carolinas. Looking forward to our next session on Board Governance, for which I have the privilege of facilitating the panel discussion.

11/14/2024

Enjoying the chance to meet and mingle with the members of GACCE (Georgia Chamber Execs). And presentations this afternoon by the inimitable Bob Harris. My takeaway from Bob? I learned well…

02/02/2024

Very successful planning session with the Dorchester Heritage Center board yesterday. They have big plans and I have complete faith they will achieve them.

Thanks to Rebecca Ryan Collett for the pictures…I never think to get any!

12/04/2023

Was just having a conversation about this with a client. It happens constantly to chamber execs, and not just at the grocery store!

12/03/2023

Like childcare, available affordable housing is an issue every community I’ve worked with recognizes they’ll have to address in order for businesses to succeed (hiring employees being a key element to that.

What’s your chamber or organization doing to address the affordable housing deficit?

All over the country, companies are having a hard time hiring workers because there’s no affordable — or available — housing nearby.

11/12/2023

Many business organizations, including chambers of commerce, are recognizing they need to be engaged in solving the childcare dilemma in order to bring more workers back to work.

When I worked briefly for a tech writing company in 1989, the owner added onsite daycare. Mind you many of his employees were family members, but it was quite progressive for its time.

Haven’t heard much about the concept in recent years, but maybe it’s time to bring it back?

For businesses of all sizes, on-site child care has become the latest — and often, priciest — new way to attract and keep employees.