Can you guess which event doesn’t fit in this group: My wife’s birthday My mom’s birthday My son’s graduation Mother’s Day Armstrong McGuire’s monthly team meetings Give up? The answer is C. Isn’t it obvious? Maybe not so let me explain.

I always know when spring arrives. Not because of the weather — goodness knows it doesn’t feel like spring here in North Carolina yet — but because my mailbox starts filling up with invitations to nonprofit events.

Despite the nonprofit sector’s complexity and diversity, there are a fair number of common practices or conventional wisdom.

The transition and retirement of nonprofit executives is a major challenge facing the philanthropic sector.

I have a confession to make. I am extremely involved with an organization I care deeply about, and they don’t have a strategic plan. “Hi, my name is Mendi, and my favorite organization does not have a plan.”

This week I had a blog all set, based on implications of the new federal tax laws, but then I read Shannon Williams blog last week entitled “One Thing At A Time”. She pointed out how she is always multitasking.

At the end of a long day of meetings, I stood at the stove crafting homemade Gouda Mac and Cheese with my laptop strategically placed on the island. In between stirring my butter, milk, and flour mixture I busily responded to emails.

The impact of the recent tax cuts passed by Congress is beginning to be felt in the paychecks, investment portfolios and on the bottom lines of many businesses.

I have worked in politics in one way or another most of my adult life – run campaigns, lobbied the state legislature, served in state government, headed up a trade association, been a business-issues lobbyist, and consulted on strategies