Big Fish, Small Pond

I live in the smallest town in the smallest state and work for one of my town's smaller organizations. Definitely a small pond.

Even so, my kids do such a great job of keeping me humble that I can't possibly think of myself as a big fish, maybe a medium fish, medium-large on an extra-good day.

I am, however, reasonably bright and a hard worker, so over the last 20 years I've managed to become very good at what I do, which is fundraising and program management for small, non-profit organizations.

I'm at a point, professionally and personally, where it makes a lot of sense for me to make the jump to a bigger pond. My kids are getting bigger, our tuition bills are mounting, and I've been working and volunteering in small ponds for well over 20 years. It's tempting to make a change. But I don't, because I love my small pond and the really big, wonderful things I've been able to accomplish here working for small organizations with co-workers and volunteers who are quite often my family, friends and neighbors.

A great workshop leader once explained to a ballroom full of museum staff and volunteers that you knew you worked for a small museum if you were responsible for fixing the running toilets. I am and I don't mind a bit. I'm also responsible for dead mouse disposal when Fred isn't there, grant writing, volunteer recruitment, public relations, donor cultivation, special events, public education, bulk mailings, project execution and coffee making.

Working for small organizations is not for everyone. You are not in the limelight, the pay is average at best, you will always make your own copies and someday you're are just going to be too darn old and tired to set up even one more folding table.

But for those of us who hate red tape and standard operating procedures and endless chains of command a small pond is a pretty great place to be.

Check back for bits of good advice that I've picked up over the last 20 years along with lots of lessons learned along the way and please don't be shy about sharing your own experiences and advice from the other small ponds out there.