Center Blog
Personal Lessons in Nonprofit Leadership from Executive Director James Miller
“I never make the same mistake twice. I make it five or six times, just to be sure.”
Over the better half of a decade, I have had the honor and the privilege to lead the LGBT Center of Raleigh. The mistakes made, the lessons learned… the pain and the pleasure. The work we all contributed in order to make Raleigh and North Carolina a better place for all people.
In order to air some wisdom before the roast tonight, I wanted to leave all of you with a few things that I have learned along the way, and things I hope future leaders in the nonprofit movement will embrace.
10 Lessons I've Learned from Serving the Community
- Being a young leader should never hold you back. This sector works against young leaders. The nonprofit world values wisdom and experience, and your perceived power is reduced, but it does not have to be this way. Fight for your power. Fight for validation. You are enough. And make them eat it.
- Never stop asking questions; never stop asking for help. Being curious will always serve you well. The world rewards knowledge, so seek it out! One of my biggest failures is not asking for help early, even though there were so many people willing and able.
- Conversely, you will never master your craft in this sector. The nonprofit world will be in constant flux: your funders, your donors, your volunteers. The moment you feel you have mastered anything, it is time to step back and re-evaluate.
- Surround yourself with capable people and let them do their job. Management is needed in certain situations, but leadership is necessary in every facet. Management is controlling every aspect to accomplish a goal – Leadership is leveraging everyone’s skill set to collaboratively make change. I continue to strive to influence and inspire, not wield power and control. If you ask my staff, they’ll let you know my leadership style is self-exploratory. It encourages risk and failure because there is no better way to learn. And, TBH, I could not be prouder of the staff and volunteers of the Center for the amazing leadership skills they are now developing and creating.
- Avoid being the angry *insert adjective here*. Early in my career, I was in a meeting with the state/CDC about HIV and prevention methods, a topic close to my heart. The insistence of bureaucrats to only focus on one topic area in a grant offering… well… it set me off (especially with their language usage and their being the ‘experts’). I made sure each individual in that room understood their lack of humanity. I was not kind and I regret that moment to this day. If I learned anything from Justine Hollingshead and Glen Medders, it was having control of the situation and your reactions to situations you are in. Anger and frustration is common in the nonprofit world. Make peace with it. And understand that your ability for diplomacy will pay dividends.
- Always help. Always. Your existence as a leader does not absolve you from helping in every task you encounter. Take out the trash. Wash the dishes. Help with setup and breakdown. You won’t always want to, but your ability to get your hands dirty will help you build relationships you didn’t know you needed.
- If you are ever given an opportunity to mentor, do so. I have had a number of interns and youth volunteers that I have had the honor and privilege of mentoring. This has been some of the most rewarding things about this job. And the secret here is to learn just as much from them as they learn from you. I do want to call out a few people here and thank them: Brennan and Lane, thank you for recognizing a need in your age group and wanting to tackle it head on. Alyssa (Cupcake), I cannot fathom the future without your amazing touch. And Brianna, the courage you showed by taking on every task head on and then deciding it was time for a change before burnout… that is courage. The world is better because of all of you.
- You can change and enhance community through sports. The leadership and management of Stonewall Sports – Raleigh has been completely transformative for our town. The camaraderie that it fosters is undeniable. I am proud to have played a small role, but more proud to see what it has become. The friends I’ve made along the way have helped to balance my life and I am utterly grateful for them. #LikeASir #WinOrLose
- Your relationships will take you farther than your education. Don’t get me wrong, education is great. I’m drowning in hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt for my six letters. And I would not change it for the world. But in this line of work, you can’t think your way out of personality/character conflicts. The relationships you build will be worth their weight in gold. I have been blessed with a community and leadership that has been open and honest with LGBTQ leadership. Our Executive Director Support Group has genuinely saved my life on many occasions, with its true strength, allowing younger or newer directors with solid and pure leadership. (Lee, Hector, Karen, Tara, Charles, Brandon… looking at y’all and smiling.)
- Never forget why you started down this path. If you’re like me, you followed the path of public service for a particular reason. I lost people to suicide thanks to the stigma of HIV. I will never forget the feeling of despair knowing my existence couldn’t mitigate the overwhelming societal fear. I will always be a staunch advocate for mental health in our community. But, taking this fear and anger can quickly skew your passion. Translate that anger into action. I let two of my friends leave this world too soon, and I’ll be damned if I let it happen again. Your vulnerability and experience can be your biggest asset in times of crisis. Don’t be afraid of it.
If you read this far, I just want you to know this job has been the absolute highlight of my life. Take care of each other and keep fighting for what you believe in.
<3
j
“I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” – Gilda Radner
published on 3/28/2019 • written by James Miller
Fully Integrating LGBTQ Employees in the Workplace
Creating a positive and inclusive workplace has been a part of cultural discussions for a while, yet many companies struggle with how to fully integrate LGBTQ employees and include diversity in their overall talent management strategy.
This is where Elaine Martin steps in. She owns and advises companies on ways to create an inclusive work environment for attracting prospective LGBTQ employees, particularly transgender individuals.
Elaine spoke about how to locate organizations that promote diversity on February 20, 2019 at the LGBT Center of Raleigh. During her talk, Elaine outlined several policies companies implement to address discrimination, unfair treatment, and harassment, as well as ways to encourage a healthy work environment. Below are some key points from her presentation.
Signs of Workplace Diversity
Examine the EEO statement.The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement is a public and obvious indication of a company’s attitude toward diversity and inclusion. If you want to want to figure out a company’s openness and inclusivity, the first step is looking at the strength of its EEO statement.
Look up ratings on the CEI. Use the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a measurement tool developed by the Human Rights Campaign, to see how companies stack up on their diversity policies. Many prospective transgender employees use the CEI to determine whether a company has adopted transgender inclusion initiatives. Elaine specializes in transition policies and helps companies understand why a plan is important for a company’s overall Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Proudly display corporate values. A company’s corporate values can reflect its mission to support diversity and inclusion, workplace culture, and how it manages and nurtures its employees. If diversity is appreciated as an asset, rather than feared as a divisive issue, you’ll see how leaders champion diversity as a strength for the long-term wellbeing of the company. Corporate values should be public and available on a company’s external website.
Promote employee collaboration and perfect your marketing. Senior leadership should have implemented LGBTQ initiatives that “put the walk in the talk.” Look for an equal opportunity employer by figuring out if there are any Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or groups of employees that share similar characteristics or life experiences, e.g. LGBTQ, People of Color, etc. Also, examine social media posts and images on the company’s website. Marketing is a surefire way to spot diversity in procurement.
The Bottom Line
Creating an inclusive, supportive work environment will strengthen a company’s reputation and its brand, drawing better candidates for open positions and retaining top talent. Elaine demonstrated how she has worked with companies to help employees feel secure and supported by policies that engender acceptance and positivity.
Message to employers: When LGBTQ employees feel valued, an organization will run with greater efficiency and produce better profits. You’ve got everything to gain by hiring a diverse workforce.
Message to job seekers: Use the above highlights to locate a company that values the perspective you bring to the organization and how you can serve a wide audience of customers and clients.
If you need a specific service and want a LGBTQ-friendly provider, click through the Resources section on our website.
published on 3/19/2019 • written by Lex
What's the Deal with Pronouns?
One of the first questions you’ll be asked at the LGBT Center of Raleigh is which pronouns you use.
Why do we ask?
Sharing your pronouns creates a safe, inclusive environment. We can’t always know your pronouns based on your appearance. Although you may think it’s obvious, not all of us enjoy the privilege of being addressed by our correct pronouns without a proper introduction.
But what if you’ve never been asked about your pronouns? Here are the most common:
3 Memorable Takeaways for Writers from Dr. Stephanie Andrea Allen (BLF Press)
Your story is important.
That’s why Dr. Stephanie Andrea Allen is on a mission to help you find your voice and improve your writing.
“When I discovered there was more Black lesbian fiction than what was taught in school, I committed myself to amplifying the voices of Black lesbians and queer women of color,” Dr. Allen said at her workshop on October 23, 2018 at the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
Dr. Allen is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at BLF Press, an independent press that “creates a space for forward thinking, creative women of exceptional talent.” She started the press in graduate school to help combat the lack of diversity in publishing and dispel the notion that Black lesbian writing was unworthy or had no literary merit.
During her talk, Dr. Allen spoke about her role as Board Chair at the LGBT Center of Raleigh and her not-for-profit collaborative called the Black Lesbian Literary Collective. Her purpose that evening was to answer questions about the writing and publishing process.
Below are three takeaways from her discussion.
They Made It Home: When Community Becomes Family
Kris at the LGBT Center of Raleigh's Welcome Desk
Kris (they/ them) is a regular volunteer at the LGBT Center of Raleigh and a leader in the Trans Initiative program. Kris has had quite the journey to get to where they are, and now that they are living their truth, they are sharing the love.
Kris is from Zebulon, NC – a very conservative town in the easternmost part of Wake County. Kris describes it as “a whole different world.” Raised by their homophobic and transphobic parents, Kris dealt with mental health issues because of their identity. An idea they explored primarily online until a potential suicide attempt. This led to Kris being admitted to Holly Hill Hospital for addiction treatment and suicide prevention. While there, Kris’ therapist insisted they come out as transgender to their parents. While Kris’ parents were not accepting or supportive, it was safe for Kris to go home. And the final suggestion made by the therapist before Kris left was to visit the LGBT Center of Raleigh.
