The Saskatchewan 4-H Council will have to wait until November to see if it will win the annual Donner Award for the second year in a row.
Last year, it received the award in the education category and picked up $5,000 in prize money.
This year, the provincial 4-H chapter is among 19 Canadian finalists aiming for a total of $60,000.
“We’ve had bragging rights and we’re continuing to use that for the year. It’s hard when you’re on top to stay there, but we feel great that we’re finalists again,” says Valerie Pearson, executive director of Saskatchewan 4-H.
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Pearson says the council was short listed with two other organizations in the education category. The contest’s next stage will be more intense.
Finalists must elaborate on the information in their applications.
“What they’re doing is they’re drilling down deeper. We might have to expand on a program. We have to have clients of ours submit reference letters, which of course we’re not privy to see,” she says.
Pearson credits a board implemented strategic plan with increasing 4-H membership.
“We knew it would take a couple of years to get our house in order. It’s a fantastic organization, but sometime you have to tweak it a little, keep it modern, refresh it a little to make it attractive for people today,” she says.
Creating a wow experience was the goal for members and leaders.
“One of our core values is fun and we’re really focusing on that. If they have a fantastic experience, they’re going to stay involved and tell their friends,” she says.
“Everyone wants to become involved in a winning organization,” she says.
Providing more resources for volunteer leaders is a key to success.
Word of mouth advertising in rural Saskatchewan is also helping to find new members and tell the group’s story.
Pearson acknowledges running a non-profit organization as a business is necessary.
“We’ve had to make some changes over the years, which is tough. They are for the benefit of the longevity of the program,” she says of the group that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017.
In addition to education, the other categories include counselling/crisis intervention, prevention and treatment of substance abuse, provision of basic necessities and services for children, people with disabilities and seniors.
Applications must detail financial management, income independence, strategic management, board governance, volunteers, staff, innov at i o n, program cost, outcome monitoring and accessibility.
The Donner Awards, which recognize Canada’s non-profit social service agencies, were established in 1998 to encourage best practices in non-profit management and increase public confidence and support for Canada’s non-profit sector.
The top organization in each of seven categories will be awarded $5,000, while the $20,000 William H. Donner Award for Excellence will be presented to the highest performer overall.
In addition, the $5,000 Peter F. Drucker Award for Non-Profit Management will be presented to a nonprofit organization with a consistent record of excellence and innovation in the management and delivery of services.
