There's change happening all around our network, and we aim to keep you in the know through our ongoing e-news column, "The Scoop." Share your updates for March by emailing [email protected].

We’re thrilled to introduce three of YNPN’s new board members, Aisha Eady, Krysten Ryba and Sara Shaylie. Here they are saying a quick hello and highlighting an event they are looking forward to in YNPN’s 2012 season. You and folks you know are invited to come on out to sharpen your skills and connect in person with them and other great YNPNers!

Most young nonprofit professionals are not yet executive directors, but the policies and attitudes around nonprofit executive salaries already affect us. Negative perceptions and underpaid talent devalue our entire sector and make it an undesirable place to devote one’s career.

Recent data from the 2011 Daring to Lead report supports the sentiment that most executives are underpaid: the median nonprofit CEO salary falls between $50,000 and $75,000 a year, an average of 20–40 percent less than his or her foundation/government/business sector counterpart.

“I have no idea what I’m doing.”

It was a thought that sat right smack in the front of my 19-year-old mind as I, a credulous improv comedy “actor," woodenly blurped random sequences of words to the blank, slightly pitying faces of the audience before me. Needless to say, I am no longer an improv comedy actor. And needless to say, it can be tough to know what to do when you don’t know what to expect next.

Can I be honest? Sometimes a new leadership opportunity doesn’t feel like a thrilling adventure, or a great next step in your career path. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a long-awaited chance to use your skills.

Sometimes it feels just, well, scary.

Maybe it’s unexpected. Maybe you don’t feel prepared. But there you find yourself and you have a choice. Say no, or face your fears and accept the challenge.

“Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change—this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision and fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.” —Bruce Barton

In the spirit of the New Year, change is on our minds, in the form of resolutions and goals. Nonprofit organizations and staff are thinking about it, as we map out the next fiscal or programming year.

We want 2012 to be better, to be more successful, and to operate more efficiently, through our use of better practices. In order to make the year better, we need to be better. We need to excel and improve, and to improve, we need to adapt, to evolve. Luckily, humans are equipped to do just that.

You spoke, and we listened. You want more information on our members and their professional accomplishments. So, beginning this month, we're starting "The Scoop" - a place for YNPN-TC members to share news with our network. Email your updates to [email protected].

Romance. It’s not a concept typically associated with success in a nonprofit, but rest assured, it’s underlying in the very basic operations.

A romantic nonprofit, like a romantic partner:

• Proactively asks about your needs 
• Listens with care and consideration
• Makes adjustments & delivers

So that’s what we did. And we thank you, our members, responding in full force to our 2011 YNPN member survey.

The results are in and we are listening closely to understand what will fulfill your needs in the future.

So what did we learn?

Meet Three of Our New Board Members - Cary, Lauren and Lucas!

When asked to do a short article about us for The Bridge, our collective competitiveness kicked in. These were going to be the coolest most informative new board member intros to date. But why do just an article? How about a puppet show? Interpretive dance? A three act play in iambic pentameter?

Okay, so we didn’t come up with a way quite that epic to tell you a little about ourselves, but we all think you’ll enjoy watching these short videos. We decided to take you on location to a spot around the Twin Cities that has shaped who we are today, and why we’re excited to be a part of YNPN’s latest board recruits.

Have you heard? The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network is one of the nonprofits to watch in 2012, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Here in the Twin Cities, we hope you’ll be watching (and participating or helping) as we roll out our three year strategic plan. This plan has been in the works since this summer when the YNPN-TC Board gathered for a series of retreats to contemplate how to most strategically provide and promote opportunities for the development of young nonprofit professionals and bring our vision closer to our reach.