ROCHELLE RIPLEY
ROCHELLE RIPLEY RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
QUESTION 4: If a person wants to start a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, what suggestions do you have based on your experience doing this? Did you complete the paperwork yourself, or did you hire professionals? If you experienced any problems with this process, please share the problems and how they were resolved.
RESPONSE: We had a pro bono attorney who did the incorporation papers, the bylaws and the non-profit status. Our board approved and I sent the filings in. We had no problems with the filings. I recommend having your Board selected ahead of time though it does not need to be a full Board. We incorporated with only 2 Board Members – one was named the President and Secretary and the other the Vice President and Treasurer. As we expanded, new Board members were added and each leadership office was held by only one Board Member. I recommend a self-electing Board to allow the Board to remain consistent and be able to fill vacancies as they occur.
QUESTION 5: The selection of members of the Board of Directors for a new nonprofit is important. What characteristics for Board members do you believe are important? What contributions by Board members do you believe should be expected? Did your Board members receive any training? If so, please identify that training.
RESPONSE: Having the right Board with diverse skills and experiences is vital. Equally important is the commitment of each Board Member and what they hope to contribute. Board Members should also expect to receive some sense of accomplishment from their service. I look for people with compassion and understanding of people in need. In our case, they must be sensitive to and interested in the conditions of Indigenous People. They should be focused on the people the non-profit serves and the services offered. I want members who are committed to the “cause” and willing to contribute time, talent and funding to the agency. They need to also assist in all aspects of fundraising. I do not exclude someone who has limited financial resources but everyone is expected to give to their own ability. I look for people with experience in the types of services we offer across the continuum of needs: financial, programmatic, skills that contribute to the clients and programs.
I want a blend of talents and head our various committees with a Board Member who has the vision and willingness to move that committee forward to achieve our goals. We received initial training through an associate Dean of our local community college and my years of non-profit expertise were tapped as well. We have had one follow up training to be sure that new Board Members were trained as well.
QUESTION 6: Most nonprofits benefit greatly from the contributions of volunteers. Approximately how many volunteers do you have? Approximately how many paid staff do you have? Have you experienced any problems recruiting volunteers? If so, please share your experience. What suggestions do you have for recruiting volunteers?
RESPONSE: We are blessed to have literally have over 1,000 volunteers! There are about 200 very active volunteers. This includes our Board of 12. We have one fulltime Director and 2 part time staff. We also have a volunteer accountant. We could not do what we do without our volunteers. They are the engine that make things happen. Among their roles are working in our warehouse processing product donations, accounting, secretarial services like mass mailings, traveling to the Reservation we serve in South Dakota at their own expense to offer services ranging from home repairs to health programs to youth services. They host programs to learn about hawkwing and Indigenous issues and how they can help. Part of that is fundraising of new items (eg. toys for Christmas for the kids on the Reservation) and of course cash donations. Since we work with many groups (Rotaries, schools, colleges, faith communities, other social service groups, scouts and youth groups to list a few), their volunteers are often a part of our agency as well. For example, a church member hosts a program with hawkwing and then becomes the local coordinator for hawkwing at their church. We have hundreds of groups involved with us so the number of volunteers grows each year. The only time we have had an issue with volunteer recruitment has been during the pandemic which is an issue everywhere. My suggestion for recruitment is to have several areas defined about how volunteers can help (that is always the first question asked). Be specific. Then engage groups you think may have an affinity to your cause. Speak to them, offer to do a program and answer questions and follow up. You may start with places you and your Board Members are already affiliated with such as your children’s schools, your college alumni, where you work, area businesses who like to help, civic or sport groups and faith communities.