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Standards for Excellence® Institute Newsletter Table of Contents
The Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector provides a consensus model for how the most well-managed, responsibly governed nonprofit organizations operate. As you know, all Standards for Excellence® Institute members are required to pledge their commitment to the Guiding Principles of these standards upon their initial affiliation and then annually thereafter. We also encourage all nonprofits to work toward implementing all 55 standards for best practice outlined in the Standards for Excellence® code. Many of the practices espoused by the Standards are activities that require on-going commitment for a nonprofit organization. We've prepared this short list of items for you to check up on a sampling of items to be sure your organization is continually adhering to Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector:
Application deadlines for 2008 are: 4/25/08, 7/25/08, and 10/31/08. The Standards for Excellence® Demystified – Answers to the Commonly Asked Questions The Standards for Excellence® team receives hundreds of questions each year regarding the Standards for Excellence® program. These questions are those that are asked most frequently. If you have a question that you don't see answered here, please contact us to get an answer right away. What are the Standards for Excellence®? The Standards for Excellence® Institute has identified 55 Standards outlining how well-managed and responsibly governed nonprofits should operate. The Standards, based on the code of conduct called, The Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector, covers eight areas of nonprofit operations –
The Standards for Excellence® are attractive to organizations that would like to strengthen their governance and management in every possible way -- from the governing board, to the financial oversight, to the management of employees and volunteers. Some credit the Standards with a noticeable increase in their sustainability. Often, the Standards are appealing to organizations that are approaching a growth spurt. After years of taking on problems as they happen, they are seeking to be more proactive. The Standards help them systemize the way they do business.
How long does it take to implement the Standards for Excellence®? The short answer is, "it depends." After taking the Standards for Excellence® Self -Assessment, many groups find that they are already practicing about 80% of the Standards. How long it takes to tackle the other 20% depends on whether you need to implement something complicated or relatively easy. For example, it could take considerably longer to implement a program evaluation system than it would to conduct a board self assessment.
What is the Standards for Excellence® voluntary certification program? The certification program is for nonprofit organizations that demonstrate that they abide by the Standards for Excellence®. Certification is offered by the Institute and four other replication partners. The certification is good for three years and five years after the first recertification.
When should we apply for certification? It is best to apply for certification after you have implemented and are practicing all of the Standards. There are four application deadlines each year.
What is the certification process and how long does it take? Organizations must submit a written application, provide documentation, and pay an application fee. A panel of trained peer-reviewers assesses the applicant's practices and determines if the applicant has met the Standards. The Ethics Standards Committee considers recommendations by the peer review team, and make the final decision. The review takes eight weeks, on average. What organizations have already earned the Seal of Excellence? There are nearly 200 certified organizations across the country. The majority of certified groups have been operating for at least five years and have revenues of at least $1 million. What happens if my organization does not achieve certification? The certification program is intended to be a learning process. We give you an opportunity at each stage in the process to respond to the reviewers questions and improve in areas where the Standard is not met. You can choose to withdraw your application at any time. We do not share the names of any applicants until after their certification has been awarded.
What happens after we earn the Seal of Excellence? Certified groups are issued a framed certificate and are given permission to use the Seal of Excellence in any communications and marketing materials. You are then invited to highlight your achievement to your community. The Institute will issue you a license and you pay a licensing fee to display the Seal during each year you are certified. The license is initially good for three years, and then five years after each recertification. Certified groups are also recognized on our website, and in other communication materials, such as the Standards for Excellence® newsletters.
Will the Standards for Excellence® Institute help us implement the Standards? The Standards for Excellence® Institute has developed an array of tools to help our members implement the Standards for Excellence®, including training programs, written educational materials, sample policies, one-on-one technical assistance. We also have replication partners in eight states and have trained consultants that help groups to implement the Standards. Standards for Excellence® Educational Resource Packet on Volunteer Policies Now Available Volunteers are an essential group of individuals in many nonprofit organizations. Without volunteers, many nonprofits would find themselves at a great loss for providing services (both direct services and administrative functions), staffing at events and fundraisers, and generally keeping organizations moving forward toward meeting their missions. As the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector states, "A nonprofit should have written. . . . policies and procedures . . . approved by the board of directors, governing the work and actions of all. . . volunteers of the organization....With respect to volunteers, the organization's policies and procedures should also address initial assessment or screening, assignment to and training for appropriate work responsibilities, ongoing supervision and evaluation, and opportunities for advancement."
We are pleased to announce that a newly revised Standards for Excellence® educational resource package on volunteers has just been released by the Standards for Excellence® Institute. This package includes instructions on how to develop a set of volunteer policies, two sets of sample volunteer policies, background and tips on preparing for volunteers, as well as instructions for assessing and screening potential volunteers, assigning volunteers to various projects, evaluating, and recognizing volunteers. There is also a new discussion of the importance of a volunteer record keeping system and the benefits of establishing volunteer coordinators (including a sample position description). New, updated information on risk management for volunteers is also provided.
For more information on how you can improve your nonprofit's volunteer program, obtain a copy of the Standards for Excellence® Educational Resource Packet entitled, Volunteer Policies —available online on the Member's Only section of the Standards for Excellence Institute website (Here, you can also access MS Word versions of the model volunteer policies) and available by calling 410-727-1726 ext. 13.
Standards for Excellence® Educational Resource Packets are a free member benefit for all Standards for Excellence® Institute members.
Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council was founded in 1987 for the purpose of ensuring that there is no discrimination in lending. The organization works to ensure equal access to credit and capital for the under-served populations and communities throughout Delaware through education, outreach, advocacy, and legislation. It is the first organization in Delaware to be awarded the Seal of Excellence. "When we embarked upon the intensive process of complying with Standards for Excellence criteria, we concluded that even if we did not earn the seal of approval, our efforts were worth it," says, Rashmi Rangan, Executive Director. "We were able to build a strong foundation for planned managed growth during the next twenty years. We are proud to be the first in our state to seek and receive the Seal of Standards for Excellence from the Standards for Excellence® Institute." The Standards for Excellence® Program is designed to promote excellence and integrity in nonprofit organizations. The Standards for Excellence® Institute offers a voluntary, peer-review, certification program for nonprofit organizations that demonstrate that they adhere to The Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. For more information about the Standards for Excellence® program and to request an application package to earn the Seal of Excellence, please visit www.standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org or call (410) 727-6367 and ask to speak to a member of the Standards for Excellence® staff. For more information about Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, please call (410) 547-5377. You can also visit their website at www.dcrac.org. Intermediary Summit If you would like more information on how you can engage the Standards for Excellence® Institute to facilitate Standards for Excellence® educational programming in your area, contact Justin Pollock at jpollock@standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org or 301-565-0505 ext. 30. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is earning the Seal of Excellence one of your goals for 2008? Mark the 2008 Standards for Excellence® certification application deadlines on your calendar today. April 25, 2008 July 25, 2008 October 31, 2008
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