About 280 representatives of non-profit organisations (NPOs) and civil society bodies attended a free one-day gathering in Cape Town this week to share learnings on optimal NPO management practices.
Known as #ThinkGood, the annual event was coordinated by CMDS, financial management consultants to the NPO sector, on behalf of the NPO Service Providers Network. It took place at the Civil Society Sustainability Centre in Woodstock, which is owned by Inyathelo, The South African Institute for Advancement, on Tuesday 17 September.
“This was the fifth such event and we are delighted at the response – we were fully booked,” said Felicity Weekes, CMDS operations manager. “With 12 sessions covering a variety of topics, there was something of interest for everyone. The speakers kindly provided their services at no cost and the event certainly helped promote good thinking and good practice.”
Weekes explained that #ThinkGood is a NPO Service Provider’s network contribution to International Mandela Day (18 July). As numerous NPOs organise their own Mandela Day activities mid-year, the #ThinkGood event is held later in the year (September) so that the sector can give back collectively.
The programme covered topics such as avoiding pitfalls in fundraising; online fundraising; impactful storytelling; donor diversity for sustainability; and the relationship between the board chairperson and the CEO. Participants also booked one-on-one advisory sessions with Inyathelo on organisational sustainability.
Two NPOs also enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their outstanding catering services. Members of social enterprise I Love Coffee, which trains and employs deaf youth to grow coffee businesses, brewed up great beverages. Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) prepared delicious sandwiches at their catering facility in Woodstock, also for sale at the event.
“Inyathelo is the proud owner of a well-equipped and beautiful Civil Society Sustainability Centre, so we are always delighted to host the #ThinkGood event,” said Inyathelo Operations Director Feryal Domingo. “The large attendance figures this year are a reminder that the NPO sector is hungry for knowledge and resources, in order to sustain themselves better.”
