Management Solutions & Resources

60 LeMay Street

West Hartford, CT  06107-3025

860-313-0349

msrhine@att.net

 

 

MSR offers a broad range of capacity building services which enhance the ability of nonprofit organizations to fulfill their missions. The following accomplishments illustrate some MSR approaches.

 

Executive Transition

 

MSR has successfully facilitated organizations through the Executive Transition Process.  This has involved assessing the organization, evaluating mission and strategic direction, identifying the skills and qualifications required in the new Executive Director, addressing internal board and organizational issues, conducting the search, participating in the interview and selection process, developing short term goals for the new ED, and providing coaching and support to the new Executive Director and the board, all of which ensure the organization is set up for success with its new leader. 

 

In two instances MSR served as Interim Executive Director, helping to stabilize the infrastructure of the organization and lead the board through the process of reevaluating its mission, developing a strategic direction, rebuilding relationships with their funding community, and defining their leadership needs. 

 

Those organizations are:

á           Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries (Waterbury,CT) – Interim Executive Director

á           Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, Inc. (Hartford, CT)

á           Little Theatre of Manchester, Inc. (Manchester, CT)

á           Covenant to Care for Children, Inc. (Bloomfield, CT)

á           The Shelter for Women (Hartford, CT)

á           Hartford Dispensary (Hartford, CT) – Executive Succession Planning

á           Operation Hope (Fairfield, CT) – Interim Executive Director

á           The Open Hearth Association (Hartford, CT)

 

Succession Planning

 

MSR has facilitated the development of succession plans using the following approach:

á           Creating a succession planning team of board members

á           Interviewing board and senior staff to gain their input and perspective

á           Drafting the plan for ultimate board approval

á           Conducting a Òdry runÓ of implementing the plan

 

Board Development

 

MSR has facilitated a number of board development efforts including:

á            Transitioning a founding board to a governing board after hiring an Executive Director

á            Guiding a volunteer driven organization through the process of restructuring including the transition to a governing board

á            Helping board members to understand and accept their governance roles

á            Restructuring board committees and clarifying roles and responsibilities

á            Reenergizing the board and gaining commitment to action through establishing realistic goals, clarifying board roles and responsibilities, developing action plans and methods for accountability

á            Establishing clear boundaries and clear lines of authority between board and staff

 

 

Resolve Conflict / Mediation

 

MSR is a certified Transformative Mediator.  She has been called into situations where formal mediation was required to resolve long standing workplace issues and build a better working relationship for the long term.  She also uses her mediation skills frequently to both head off conflict and to get the serious issues onto the table where they can be addressed openly and in a safe environment.

 

She has mediated in health care, higher education, and research organizations.  MSR also teaches conflict skills through the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits, Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation and Berkshire Taconic Foundation.

 

Higher Education

 

MSR has provided consulting services to the following Higher Education organizations:

 

Trinity College, Hartford, CT – facilitated faculty in defining the objectives of program curriculum

 

Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT – facilitated weekend senior staff retreat to improve teamwork, improve senior staff meetings, and increase the turnaround time on commitments; mediated conflict at the administrative level and at the faculty level

 

Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH – facilitated the development of a marketing strategy for the university, developed a strategic plan for the alumni operation, trained administrative staff and department chairs in managerial skills.

 

Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges – facilitated sessions with administrators from member institutions

 

Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology – facilitated newly formed board in developing technology policies and overall board roles and responsibilities

troubled units.