So You Got A New Job, Huh?

After a year as a consultant and a reporter-at-large for Fundraising Success magazine, I was offered a full-time employment opportunity by one of my nonprofit clients, the United Spinal Association. I was excited about getting back on the “other” side of the desk again.

This would be my first new job since becoming director of fundraising for Consumers Union more than eight years ago. That seemed to me like the distant past (in a galaxy far, far away), and I was trying to remember what I did when starting at CU.

My first day at United Spinal was supposed to be Jan. 2 but, under the category of “stuff just seems to happen,” my father passed away on New Year’s Day and I missed my entire first week of work. My new employer was very understanding, and I started work the following Monday.

As I drove to work my first day, my head was filled with ideas and questions of what to do first. The good news was since United Spinal had been a client of mine, I had some knowledge of its programs and mission, but not nearly enough. So I made a list of things I needed to do to make my transition into the new organization a smooth one and to start to plot my development approach for the future. Main points included:

1. Learn the names and responsibilities of my fellow employees throughout the organization.

2. Get to know my 12 staff members (including their strengths and weaknesses).

3. Learn about the programs we offer as part of our mission.

4. Create a new strategic plan for the development department.

The first day was filled with meeting many fellow staffers and learning about the organization. As the new kid on the block, it was up to me to remember all their names and responsibilities.