Professor's new book offers lessons for non-profit leadership

A Claremont veteran in the non-profit sector has released a book which he hopes will provide guidance for others trying to survive this industry.

Professor Eric Atmore, 69, launched Leading a Non-profit Organisation: Lessons Learned over the Years at the Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement in Woodstock last Tuesday, March 11.

Professor Atmore is the director and founding member of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD), which has fought for the rights of children and teachers in the early childhood sector in the country for over 30 years.

Professor Atmore says it took him around three months to work on this book and his main purpose was to provide some lessons in non-profit leadership following his four decades in the non-profit sector. “The national Department of Social Development says that there are about 260 000 non-profit organisations in South Africa. Sadly, probably two-thirds are dormant, not operational or have closed down,” he says.

Over the years, Professor Atmore has shared lessons from running a fully sustainable and operational non-profit organisation which provides essential services for the ECD sector.

“My best lesson learned in leading this organisation is from the movie, Finding Nemo where Dory the blue tang fish gets separated from her family and she is persistent in her quest to reunite with her family and she repeats the phase, 'Just keep swimming'.

“In the non-profit world, you will come across major obstacles and difficulties, it's important to show persistence and perseverance and like Dory, you must 'just keep swimming'."

In today’s age, funding has been one of the most difficult challenges for non-profits and Professor Atmore shares his advice for organisations. “Budget accurately for the medium term, at least three years ahead and determine what guaranteed funding the non-profit has raised.”

He says they must continue to raise funds every day for the following three financial years. 

His advice for upcoming or established non-profits is that they must continue to help in building the country. “ Your programmes are essential for social and community development, and just keep going. Your work is greatly valued by the most vulnerable in our communities.” 

Leading a Non-profit Organisation: Lessons Learned over the Years is available free of charge. Any non-profit can pick up their copy at the CECD head office at 20 Rosmead Avenue, Claremont, from Boniswa Gquma-Lisa. You can also call her office number at 021 683 2420 and she will keep a copy for you. The e-book will be available at the end of the month.