https://bloomerang.co/resources/webinars/ Get Rachel Muir’s 12 step program to survive Founder’s Syndrome with individual formulas and special care instructions for founders, board members, and the new incoming Executive Director.

1. PRESENTATION TITLE GOES HERE
Date 01, 2016 | Location
HOW TO SURVIVE
FOUNDER’S SYNDROME
www.rachelmuir.com

2. • Founder: Girlstart
• Featured on: Oprah,
• CNN, theToday Show
• What Rachel does:
custom training, board
retreats, online classes
Weaknesses: chips, queso
Rachel Muir, CFRE
@rachelmuir
rachel@rachelmuir.com
www.rachelmuir.com

3. What Rachel does:
Custom training
Keynotes
Webinars
Workshops
Speaking
All on fundraising…
Learn more at www.rachelmuir.com
Board retreats

4. Free guides -> rachelmuir.com/guides
Join list to be invited to free webinars

5. DonorRelationsGuru.com/SurveyCourse
Can donor surveys REALLY boost
revenue? Yes! We’re showing you how!
3 lessons + survey clinic + 1:1 coaching!
+
Rachel Muir, CFRE Lynne Wester, The Donor Relations Guru

6. Join me tomorrow! 11 am CST
Makeovermyfundraising.com/webinar

7. 2
What is
Founder’s
Syndrome?
Who is
involved in
it?
How do
I fix it?
Q&A
12 step
program for
founders,
board
members &
staff
How to Survive Founder’s Syndrome

8. I was once in your shoes….

9. Today we’re letting it all hang out!

10. What it feels like to you

11. What it looks like to everyone else

12. WHAT IS NONPROFIT
FOUNDER’S
SYNDROME?

13. @rachelmuir rachel@rachelmuir.com
Founder’s Syndrome
n.Treatable affliction. Often found among
visionary entrepreneurs and new orgs. If
found in established org it is associated
with a quest for change.

14. Why so scary?
Green.
Long nails.
Holds people hostage.

15. It Can Get Toxic
@rachelmuir
Dysfunctional
workplace
Unethical behavior
Belligerence
Bullying
Secret meetings

16. 16
Energetic. Charismatic. Fearless
leader fueled by ambition,
determination and conviction to fill a
need and change the world.

17. They do
the hardest
job of all…

18. To their detractors…
• Bold
• Stubborn
• Opinionated
• Their way or the
highway
To their fans...
• Charming
• Magnetic
• Visionary
• Inspiring
Who are they?

19. Who is involved in founder’s syndrome?
The new
incoming
ED
The
board of
directors
The
founder

20. What makes power couples powerful?
.

21. Therapy session #1: Understanding the founder

22. What if…✓ May worry organization
will fall apart without them
@rachelmuir
✓ Founder’s identity =
organizational identity
✓ May not have Plan B
Inside the mind of the founder

23. Inside the mind of board members

24. Afraid
founder’s
relationships
with donors will
be lost
Doesn’t want
extra burden
of an ED
search
Fear losing
founder’s
knowledge
@rachelmuir
Hates
change
Conflicted by
personal
relationship
with founder

25. Inside mind of new incoming ED

26. Inside mind of new incoming ED✓ Will I ever get to do my job?
✓ Why did I take this job in the first place?

27. Don’t treat me this way…

28. HOW TO
SURVIVE & THRIVE

29. If you are the founder…

30. ✓ Seeing the organization thrive after you
step away is your single biggest achievement.
✓ You didn’t start the organization to
have a job for the rest of your life.
✓ Your success is dependent on seeing yourself
as outside (and separate) from the organization.

31. Will stepping away be easy?
There will be mistakes.
They won’t all be yours.
Consider outside help.
@rachelmuir Download today’s guide: rachelmuir.com/guides

32. How can a founder prepare?
Build your bench strength
Craft a succession plan
Plan your communications
DO NOT JOIN THE BOARD

33. How can the board prepare?
• Frame as positive
• Show diplomacy/tact
• Honor founder
• Find executive
transition expertise

34. If you are the new incoming ED

35. Pick your battles

36. If you are the new incoming ED
✓ Establish credibility (2-3
quick wins)
✓ Immediately make your
self available to inner
circle donors

37. If you are the new incoming ED
Treat the founder like
a very important donor.

38. If you are the new incoming ED
✓ Recruit new board
members NOT part
of the founder’s circle

39. KNOW WHEN TO
WALK AWAY

40. Don’t
• Procrastinate addressing the issue
• Take things personally
• Get entrenched in your opinions
and fail to leave room for
alternative viewpoints
• Wear emotions on your sleeve
• Make assumptions about other
person
• Try to address issue in a drive by
conversation or in email
40
Do
• Watch your tone in email
• Set aside time; make an
appointment to talk face to face
• Be prepared to listen, change
your mind & show gratitude
• Ask questions and restate what
you hear
• Acknowledge that strong feelings
(theirs, yours etc) mean we care
• Invite other person to be a partner
in figuring out resolution
Tips for difficult conversations

41. Questions?

42. ▪ Which donors
should I focus on?
▪ How much can I
actually raise?
▪ I can’t get a donor
visit
▪ Hamster wheel of
grants/events
▪ Board members
aren’t fundraising
Is this you?

43. ▪ Want a fundraising coach
▪ Are tired of doing the same
thing hoping for different
results
▪ Are ready to move from fear
and overwhelm to realistic
achievable goals
▪ Want ease, speed and help
with your fundraising and
rich, rewarding relationships
with donors
This is for you if you…
Class starts September 10th
MakeoverMyFundraising.com

44. ▪ Want a map to your best
prospects?
▪ Donors ready to say YES
to a visit with you?
▪ Ready to confidently ask
for 4, 5, 6, even 7 figure
gifts?
▪ Want a plan & realistic
goals?
▪ Ready to engage board
members in fundraising?
www.MakeoverMyFundraising.com
Class starts September 10th

45. ▪ 25 hours of course
credit!
Planning to get your CFRE?
www.makeovermyfundraising.com

46. How is this different?
✓ Loaded with easy to execute strategies, real world
examples and take me to finish line workbook
✓ Weekly coaching from yours truly (not Nick the intern)
✓ Gives you wealth screen of 500 donors
✓ No quibble money back guarantee
✓ #1 tool to stand out in your donor’s inbox
Class starts September 10th
MakeoverMyFundraising.com

47. Join me tomorrow! 11 am CST
Makeovermyfundraising.com/webinar

48. Thank you!
rachel@rachelmuir.com
www.rachelmuir.com
Follow me
@rachelmuir
Join me for class Sept 10
www.makeovermyfundraising.com
Want to chat more? Calendly.com/rachelmuir
Facebook.com/RachelMuirFundraising

49. www.rachelmuir.
com/discovery