The directives God gave were daunting: “Go and confront the autocratic Pharaoh. Tell him I said he is to free the Israelites, his slaves for 400 years, and let them leave Egypt.” Aware of his shortcomings, Moses was very nervous of accepting the challenge. God’s response put the ball firmly in Moses’ court: “What is that in your hand?”
Marketing guru, Seth Godin, wrote that NPOs sign up to “…solve a problem, to address trauma, to enrich the culture, to do the difficult work…” that can’t always be done alone. When she addressed the NPO Business Forum of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Cindy Norcott, asked NPO and corporate social investment (CSI) representatives the same question Moses was posed: “What is that in your hand?”
Motivational speaker, business coach, best-selling author, and founder of the Robin Hood Foundation, Cindy challenged the attendees to take what they have and to share it, pointing to the power of networking. Her theme was “Action- the antidote to despair”.
The event was an informative legacy-building session which explored effective strategies on how to fund-raise and engage volunteers. Talking about the dignity of giving, Cindy advised those at the DCCI offices in Stamford Hill to be very clear on their organisations values and to avoid “mission drift” when donors try to ignore an organisation’s parameters and to dictate how their donations are to be used. Underlining that the organisations represented are in the business of building people, it is vital that trust is built, and that they listen to the instincts of the people they are working with.
With her passion for helping people develop their businesses and reach their full potential, Cindy said she valued the opportunity the forum had given her to encourage organisations devoted to addressing the needs of underserved people to build trust and not to compete with others with the same heart: “Collaboration is key. We labour together. If each brings what is in their hand to the table, the labour is easier and more effective.”
The Robin Hood Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and runs more than 120 charitable outreach projects every year around KZN. Chairperson of the NPO Business Forum and organiser of the event, Karen Brokensha, of The Domino Foundation, commented: “The days of NPOs competing with each other are long past. The issues in our communities are far larger than any one group can tackle and solve on its own. Cindy has brought into sharp focus the truth that together we are stronger.” She encouraged NPO implementers and CSI enablers to become active participators in future forums to be in on the conversations and building ways to find joint answers to the challenges in the city. Karen can be contacted about future NPO Business Forum events at marketing @ domino.org.za and Cindy at Cindy @ proappoint.co.za.
