Meet Marge. Every nonprofit seems to have one. She knows where to find things, how everything works, and who to call when something goes wrong.

In the last article, we looked at what would happen if aliens abducted your Marge. While the chances of alien abduction remain slim, the scenario raises an important question: What happens to your nonprofit operations when too much depends on one person?

A Message from Marge

Marge is a team player. She carries a huge load and is glad to do it.

But she worries… a lot.

She knows how much you, and the organization, rely on her. That makes her afraid to take extended (but much needed) time off. Sure, she misses an occasional day here and there for an appointment or a child’s school event. The organization doesn’t grind to a halt on those days… mostly because Marge spent hours making sure it wouldn’t.

Marge doesn’t want to be a burden, so she rarely complains. If she were to sit down with you and have a truly honest conversation, however, she’d have plenty to say about your nonprofit operations.

I’m tired of constant interruptions.

As the person who has the answers to all the questions, Marge rarely has uninterrupted work time. As soon as she really gets dialed in on a task, someone calls, emails, texts, or drops in with a question.

Many days, she leaves feeling unproductive and depleted. Her day has been cut into a million slices that no longer fit together.

I don’t want to be a bottleneck.

As the “go-to” person for so many nonprofit operations, a lot lands on Marge’s desk. She doesn’t want to be the reason progress slows, but sometimes she can’t avoid it. Someone is always waiting for her input or decision, and she feels the pressure.

She wishes more people had the trust and autonomy to make decisions.

I miss my original role.

It feels like ancient history now, but many moons ago, Marge was hired for a specific job. She has expertise that reaches beyond keeping track of the locations of files and office supplies. As time went on and other employees came and went, she became the go-to person for questions big and small. While she doesn’t mind being helpful, her fount of insider knowledge has slowly eclipsed the job she came here to do.

She knows her value, but she misses her original purpose, and too many of the nonprofit operations have come to rely on her.

I worry about what happens if I leave.

Like many of her peers, Marge falls into the “sandwich generation“, putting her right in the middle of caring for her children and her aging parents. She knows that, as her parents get older, they will need more assistance, more accommodations, more care, and more of… her.

Likewise, Marge’s kids are heading into one of a parent’s busiest seasons. Hobbies? Her main hobby is driving her children to THEIR hobbies. As they grow and change, she knows the importance of showing up for them as their biggest cheerleader.

If one of her parents were to fall ill, would she be able to take extended time off? During that time, would she truly be “off”? Or would she still be running nonprofit operations through texts and emails? She’s been in that boat… literally. She once managed to solve a crisis while on a waterski trip.

What a mess.

Your Nonprofit Systems

If you read this and feel like you should gift your “Marge” with a spa day, your heart is in the right place. While a massage would feel great, it wouldn’t solve the reasons she needs one.

Marge needs nonprofit systems that work better and don’t rely solely on her.

She needs:

• documented processes others can follow without her.
• clear communication so she doesn’t constantly have to provide clarification.
• organized shared files so teammates can easily find things on their own.
• a team that can keep things moving when she takes a day for her family (or herself).

Most importantly, Marge needs the freedom to focus on the role she was hired to do.

Do you recognize your organization here? Do you know exactly who your “Marge” is?

I have good news. This isn’t a people problem. The issue lies with your nonprofit systems, and you can improve them.

I’ve created a checklist to help you get started. In just 5 minutes, you’ll get an idea of where to focus first. Just complete the form below, and I’ll send it over!

Let’s get started making Marge’s life easier. Keep swimming along!