Is your nonprofit suffering the effects of secondary trauma? |
|
Local nonprofit leader stresses the importance of understanding mental wellness among employees |
|
by Shari Finnell, editor/writer, Not-for-profit News
“Burnout.” “Compassion fatigue.” “Secondary traumatic stress.” “Vicarious trauma.” More than likely, you’re somewhat familiar with these terms, especially if you work or volunteer for an organization that supports individuals struggling with addiction, abuse, unemployment, food insecurity, homelessness, damaged relationships, or grief.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the term “burnout,” in particular, gained increased attention as nonprofits disproportionately face an exodus of employees, along with an increased demand for services.
However, many people are using the terms interchangeably — which can make organizations vulnerable to other ways that various mental health conditions among their employees can undermine their mission, according to Dr. Cara Berg Raunick, the director of clinical quality at Health Care Education and Training (HCET), a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis. Berg Raunick also is a former sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) consultant for the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking.
As leaders seek to support mental health programs, it’s important to gain a deeper understanding of each of the conditions and how they can impact an employee differently and, as a result, the organization, said Berg Raunick, who conducted extensive doctoral research on the vicarious trauma experienced among sexual assault nurse examiners.
Berg Raunick said the focus on “burnout” as a concept can be related to its perceived connection to a high voluntary turnover rate in the workforce. According to Nonprofit PR, 45 percent of nonprofit employees surveyed said that they would be seeking new employment by 2025 — which could further exacerbate disproportionately high voluntary turnover rates in the nonprofit sector.
While those concerns can be legitimate from an institutional and workforce perspective, employers also need to address the various types of secondary trauma that nonprofit and healthcare workers often face, Berg Raunick said.
“Burnout can be the easiest one to figure out why it matters,” she said. “People quit when they experience burnout, which can cost us money in training time, staff deficits, and a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise. However, unlike secondary trauma, burnout isn’t strictly trauma related. It can be caused by any challenging work scenario.
“While it certainly can be linked to working with folks who have experienced trauma, it’s important to recognize that people who experience any kind of secondary trauma have an increased risk of burnout,” she added.
|
|
In ‘The Room’ where it happens: Setting the space for interpersonal communication |
|
by Christy Shepard and Jan Frazier of Planning Plus, LLC
Before the recent days of remote and hybrid work models, work was conducted in very static and finite methods and places. The paradigm shifts from employer-driven to employee-driven decision making and work life integration has afforded today’s worker choices and options for work engagement, participation, and lifestyle.
Employers are competing for employees at record levels and remote and hybrid work models are very attractive to multiple generations of people. No longer do we need to be “in the room” where it happens, as we have access to people and information like never before. Technological tools have broken barriers and stigmas, allowing workplaces to build healthy and dynamic organizational cultures that support the goals of the business and people that work in them. But with information and decision making moving through organizations at the speed of light, how do we ensure we are still making “the room” for the necessary thought and decision making to effectively problem solve?
‘The Room Where it Happens’, sung by Hamilton’s Aaron Burr in the popular Broadway musical, expresses many of the downsides workers have faced in the great transition from work from ‘working from home.’ Recently we have been involved in several significant projects involving multiple people where the work was done via emailing, texting, phone calls, Zoom, etc. Rarely were all players “in the room” at the same time. This led to delays in creating consensus solutions and became quite inefficient. Email may be efficient, Zoom is a step above, but where is the “room” for creative thinking, brainstorming, back-and-forth discussions? We may get the work done, but is it the best work we could have done?
Well before the Internet, Zoom, and other technological tools we have today, in 1989 the textbook Organizational Behavior by Robert Kreitner and Angelo Kinicki was published (Richard D. Irwin, Inc.). Based on their research, a Contingency Model for Selecting Communication Media was created by Richard L. Daft and Robert H. Lengel. In this model, they compared the appropriate media to use for communication information based on the richness of the medium and the complexity of the problem or situation. Fast forward to 2023 and we recognize that their principles still hold true.
|
|
Re-released Join Bryan Orander in a Q & A with T.J. McGovern of McGovern Consulting about the critical role of fundraisers from the perspectives of both the job seeker and hiring manager. Listen
|
|
Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre has hired William Powell as interim CEO. Powell is a longtime business leader and arts management consultant. —Indianapolis Business Journal
|
|
Indianapolis Public Library has named Gregory Hill as CEO. Hill previously served the organization as interim chief executive and chief public services officer. — Inside Indiana Business
|
|
Indy Arts Council has hired Rochelle Jerry as director of development. Jerry previously served as vice president of development at Indiana Black Expo. |
|
TeenWorks has promoted Taryn Kincaid to vice president of programs. Kincaid previously served as director of programming for the organization. |
|
TeenWorks has promoted Kim Cox to vice president of finance. Cox previously served as the director of finance for the organization. |
|
The Boys & Girls Club of Boone County has named Eric Richards as chief executive officer. Richards previously was the president & CEO of Cancer Support Community Indiana. |
|
Charitable Allies has named Holly Szafran as staff attorney. Szafran previously practiced civil litigation doing personal injury. |
|
Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis has promoted Gisele Brown to inaugural executive director of student support. Previously, Brown was director of IvyCARES. |
|
United Way of Central Indiana has announced a donation from the Indianapolis Colts to underwrite volunteer projects for its third annual Go All IN Day on June 23. With the Colts’ $15,000 gift, United Way will be able to increase the pool of funding for participating organizations throughout Central Indiana. Learn more
Indianapolis has received nearly $10 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support more than 20 organizations involved in homelessness-reduction efforts. Learn more
Girl Talk Incorporated is launching its College Success Skills & Readiness program starting early May for African American female students in Indianapolis. The initiative aims to increase college-going rates, encourage graduation of higher education, and provide guidance in removing financial barriers and confusion in applying for funding opportunities. Learn more or email with questions.
Spirit & Place is offering a $200 stipend for individuals and groups selected to bring an event to the Spirit & Place Festival this November. Apply by May 7 Questions? Contact Erin Kelley ekkelley@iupui.edu
Aspiring and current nonprofit board and staff leaders are invited to register for the 2nd Powerhouse Cohort of Inclusivity & Equity on Diverse Boards, a quarterly gathering of board members and leaders who collaboratively learn about building impactful, diverse boards. Apply by May 15. Presented by Nexus Impact Center. Learn more
The city of Indianapolis’ rental assistance program, is being revived through the end of 2023. Apply
In the latest study commissioned by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, decreasing tobacco consumption also would drive substantial economic gains in the state, including population growth, added jobs, and higher incomes. Learn more
|
|
Reducing stigma among Asian Americans: The personal relevance of psychotherapy webinar on May 3 at noon. This session will provide an overview of mental illness stigma among Asian Americans and how personally relevant psychotherapy may reduce stigma. Presented by Aspin. Cost: Free. Register
State of aging in Central Indiana: Are we ready to help older adults age in place? webinar on May 11 from 9-11 a.m. Gain insights about the community-dwelling older adult population in the context of the available caregiver and healthcare workforce, and the availability of programs and services to help older adults age in place. Presented by The Polis Center. Cost: Free. Register
2023 Business software refresher series: PowerPoint (Part 1) on May 17. Presented by IUPUI Professional Development and Continuing Education. Attendees will learn how to produce engaging presentations using PowerPoint features and capabilities. The course is taught through focused discussion, demos, and hands-on practice. Presented by IUPUI Office of Professional Education.
How to address mental health issues in your church virtual summit on May 18-19. Learn about the language and tools you need to adopt better self-care practices and to guide and support your team. Presented by Medi-Share Pastors Alliance. Cost: Free for church leaders. Register
Supercharge your pipeline with new donors on May 24 at 8 a.m.-noon at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. With the profile of the wealthy diversifying by age, race, gender identity, religion, and nationality, it is critical that planned giving officers have the skills and knowledge to cultivate gifts across lines of difference. Presented by AFP Indiana Chapter. Cost: $100 member/ $150 nonmembers. Register
|
|
Gleaners Food Bank is seeking volunteers to assist clients during their visit to its onsite food pantry. Duties include loading cars with food and directing traffic at various points. Must be at least 13 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Learn more
|
|
Create a social media strategy your nonprofit can sustain. Craft your own strategy that uses your data, is customized to your audience, and won’t overwhelm your team.
|
|
Pro-Black organizations’ efforts can align with the five key areas of “The US Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being.”
|
|
Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.
|
|
|
|
FUND DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC PLANNING
|
|
|
|
|
BANKING/
ASSET MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonprofit office space in great location (Butler University area)
Indiana Interchurch Center, which is centrally located in Indianapolis at 1100 W. 42nd St., has available office spaces ranging from 200 to 1,600 square feet for 501(c)3 organizations. Free parking, utilities, high-speed internet, and shared meeting rooms are included. The facility is home to a diverse group of nonprofit and church organizations that are making an impact in the community. Contact Kris Keys or call (317) 923-3617. |
|
|
|
Micro offices available for month-to-month lease
Nexus has two furnished micro-offices available and a premium suite for month-to-month rental that include meeting room credits, access to high-speed internet, printing, and coffee. The co-working space also provides tenants to engage with other small business owners and nonprofits that care about making a positive difference in the community. Micro-office rates start at $393/month. More information
|
|
CHARITABLE ADVISORS'
FEATURED JOB POSTINGS
|
|
Executive Leadership (CEO/ED/COO)
Fund Development/Marketing/PR/Advocacy
Admin Support/Clerical
Finance/Accounting/HR/IT/Facility
Data/Research/Quality Assurance
Programs/Program Support
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
