Mission Possible: A day of networks and inspiration

The inaugural Southern Maryland Non-Profit Institute annual conference held at the College of Southern Maryland was on target last Friday in its goal of promoting non-profit success. From the keynote's energetic opening to the afternoon's closing sessions, the 130-plus participants were exposed to a wealth of knowledge on how to promote their non-profit success as well as how to personally grow from the networking and inspiration to which they were exposed.

Self-proclaimed "Diva Extraordinaire" and Success in the City CEO Cynthia de Lorenzi kicked the morning into high gear with her passion and her humor. In her words, the keys to bring joy back into the lives of women are to infuse your life with creativity, fun and humor.

"We take our selves too seriously. Stop it." Changing her perspective, she said, changed her career and her life. Selected among the Washington Business Journal's top 25 women who mean business and recipient of Smart CEO's Circle of Excellence, de Lorenzi leads what she describes as "an unconventional business networking organization for senior level executive businesswomen in the DC Metropolitan area," which one day she envisions with chapters worldwide. Its mantra?

"No rules. Some work. All Play."

Her advice to the nonprofits represented on Friday was varied, from how to market an organization to how to grow board members (and even some tips on how to communicate with a simmering woman including letting her clean a drawer and to talk, talk, talk). Some takeaways for nonprofits:

• Branding needs to be compelling.
• Attract and invite the most brilliant leaders in the community to be involved with you. If they make a suggestion, put them in charge of it.
• The only gatekeeper is you, so build an incredible marketing machine that has the potential to meet millions. Use Twitter; it's a compelling place that in a sentence can engage a conversation. If you don't have a Facebook group or fan page, get one. If you need to hire staff on a limited basis, check into odesk.com.
• Don't understand social networking? Ask. Learn from the young minds around you. Be willing to be mentored up as much as you mentor down.
• Network. Network. Network. SITC distributes prescriptions: network with three people today and call me in the morning.
• Build your board, recognizing that each board member will bring individual strengths and meet unique needs. Know why you are seeking specific board members, and align your expectations with their service. Do you want them to attend meetings? Raise funds? Make introductions for your organization? Build awareness? Think strategically as you consider your organization's wants and needs.

To learn more about Cynthia and SITC, visit .successinthecity.org and stay tuned here for more takeaways from the conference.

Meanwhile, here's to prescribing to the SITC Rx, and post here in the morning!