So You Got A New Job, Huh?

Set-back No. 1. At the end of my first week, I received a resignation. This was someone who I was looking forward to working with. This individual explained that he/she had been unhappy in the position for the last three months and that it had nothing to do with me.

Unfortunately, I now had a hole in my staff that would have to be filled -- and that took take effort which could have been channeled elsewhere.

Set back No. 2. At the end of my seventh week, another person resigned. (I was hoping it wasn’t contagious.) This was a critical position that would be hard to fill since it was in New Hampshire, rather than in our main offices in New York. We immediately started to spread the news by phone to nonprofits, agencies and vendors in the region. We also advertised in the DMA Nonprofit Federation’s e-newsletter and with the New England Direct Marketing Club, along with a few local newspapers. Our new hire started a few weeks ago.

It has now been three months since I took this position (no one else has quit -- thank goodness), and each week I feel more comfortable with the people who work here, the mission and my plan to improve fundraising.

If you find yourself in a new position in the fundraising section, remember to be sure to get to know your new organization, take immediate stock of the people who work with and under you, and develop a plan for moving forward.

Cary Castle is director of development at the United Spinal Association.