Want a unique way of showing accountability? Try scorecards. 

Accountability. Donors and boards expect it; volunteers and employees need to believe in it.

One way of establishing accountability is through transparency, or providing detailed information about programs, outcomes, and finances to the public. "Experts stress that the antidote for donor distrust is financial transparency. Popular charity watch Web sites, including Guidestar.org, CharityNavigator.org, and Give.org, reflect the need to earn donor trust through increased accountability," according to Sage Nonprofit Solutions Special Report: Legislation, Enforcement, Fraud, and Donor Skepticism white paper.

But it's not just donors. Board members, volunteers, and even employees can benefit from transparency. It builds trust and enables open communication and goal-setting.

Set and attain goals. Sage Nonprofit Solutions helps foster transparency, teamwork, and goal attainment through the use of scorecards. A goal is chosen, such as the number of leads generated or the number of projects completed monthly or quarterly. And then results are presented periodically using a smiley face, a frowning face, or a neutral face to depict at a glance whether the goal is being achieved.

Foster teamwork and understanding

For instance, if the goal is to generate 30 leads every month, then a scorecard might be issued mid-month depicting success or failure in achieving the midpoint of the goal. If you need a certain number of volunteer hours filled each month, you could develop a scorecard showing volunteer hours worked or promised. This either lets volunteers know they are doing a great job in filling hours, or motivates more volunteers to step up and help. Or both.

Get your copy of the Sage Nonprofit Solutions Special Report: Legislation, Enforcement, Fraud, and Donor Skepticism white paper here.For more information about how Sage Nonprofit Solutions can increase transparency in your organization, please contact Blytheco by email or give us a call at 800.455.1368, extension 2500.

Inside Blytheco...Employee Profile

Debbie Long is Blytheco's MAS 90-200 Consulting Manager

My favorite thing about working for Blytheco: I am passionate about the industry and enjoy working with our staff and our clients.  Our senior management team has allowed me the freedom to express my opinions, work in the areas of most interest, and change direction on occasion. 

What do you do in your spare time? Golf, play piano, shop, spend time with family and friends and work on the Mission Hospital Silent Auction.  I used to be an avid skier until I broke my leg in 2009 and thrashed my knee.

Describe your work with non-profit organizations: Chair for the Mission Hospital Gala, Silent Auction Committee in 2009 and will be co-chair in 2010.  We raised nearly $900,000, exceeding our goal by approximately $50,000!

The Annual Holiday Gala is one of Mission Hospital's premiere events with over 650 attendees. This sell-out black tie fundraiser is held in December at the St. Regis Monarch Beach. The evening's events include the finest in dining, an incredible martini bar, a unique silent auction, live auction and music and dancing by Wayne Foster Entertainment.  All proceeds from this event benefit Mission Hospital for expansion.

Why did you get involved with this group?  A dear friend is on the Board of Directors at Mission Hospital and Chair for the Gala Committee for 2009.  She asked me to get involved, and I could not say no.  It is a wonderful feeling and an honor to represent such a great cause. 

Something you can’t say no to:  More work, serving as chair or co-chair for Mission Hospital Gala when asked, and any request from my grandchildren even when I know it’s not healthy.

Make the most of your system

Pat Porter from The Sparenburg Building in Big Spring, Texas called the Blytheco support line with a problem: how to move data from an old version of her accounting system from her desktop computer to a laptop with a new version. She had different sets of data in both installations, and wanted all of the data on the laptop. Blytheco expert John Stoffa was able to connect to both machines remotely, copy the data to the laptop, and convert it to the current version of the application, all in about 3.5 hours.

"John was very patient and helpful and got me moved over and running," said Pat. “I have nearly caught up from the last quarter of 2009, so I am quite pleased.”

Regardless of the system you use or how you use it, Blytheco consultants have the experience and expertise to provide creative solutions to your business challenges. How can Blytheco help you save time and money?