Today I was thinking about my relationship with different organizations. Why are there nonprofit organizations that I remain involved with by volunteering and contributions and others that I just drift through? There are so many good causes and great programs. What attracts my time and resources? I think the deciding factor is my relationship with the people involved within the organization.

It can be a connection with a staff member who does extraordinary work. A meaningful line of communication with an Executive Director. A personal relationship with a board member or volunteer who takes their passion for the cause and engages mine as well. Or it is a customer of the organization who is a walking megaphone and is spreading the latest and greatest news.

I have come to realize that it is when one of these connections leaves the organization or stops communicating that I start drifting away. It is not always intentional. A void is created and my attention shifts elsewhere. That is why I see new Executive Directors or CEO’s spend their first one hundred days meeting people, forming relationships and calibrating their strengths with the organization’s culture.

During a capital campaign when a change in the staff or volunteer leadership is made I find myself being less certain about the multiple year pledge I had previously made. If the Executive Director was my link to the organization and they move to another job my connection to the nonprofit has lessened significantly. It does not mean that I am not going to continue to donate and be supportive of the mission but I find it much easier to attach a face to the mission instead of words.

People matter. They impact relationships. You are the reason that somebody else is a member of a nonprofit, buys a certain brand, attends religious services on a regular basis. It is an interconnected web and you play a critical role (often unknown).

Who influences your choices and loyalty?