We'll be there for you. Ok, maybe we should delete that last part. Don't want to risk a cease and desist. Also it just sounds kind of corny.
In all seriousness, "friends" is such a broad word when it comes to a nonprofit, or any business for that matter. Keeping it limited to the nonprofit space, it can be your donors, your sponsors, your volunteers.
In the grand scheme of things, friends are people who both do and don't believe in your mission. Let me explain...
Of course you have your friends who so desperately want to see your cause, your mission, your lifeblood, succeed. They want nothing more than for you to make a positive impact not only within the community, but within yourself.
Now notice we said friends are also people who don't believe in your vision. Admittedly, that phrasing might have come on a bit to strong. A bit harsh, as it were. Let us call these friends the "constructive critics." Believe us when we say you want these friends in your corner.
Picture it like this: you have an idea. A beautiful, bold, brilliant idea, as far as your concerned. The truth of the matter is that, while the idea holds some distinct promise to change your community, your city, the world for the better, it still holds a few hiccups.
Some of your friends, possibly a good majority, may not want to address these hiccups. Its an "elephant in the room" situation, right? Truth of the matter is, they are doing more harm than good. If they don't speak up, who are you to know your idea needs work. You might venture forth with this idea, turning it into a reality, and facing some repercussions.
Then we get into the reality of it, the best of the best. The constructive critics. (Note: the constructive critic's intent is to build not only you up, but your idea up; if they are giving "advice" that only serves to make you feel inadequate and build themselves up, cut them out of your life like a bad habit.)
The constructive critics are the truest of friends who you have built not only cammraderie with, but a solid foundation with. If they suggest something, it is as hard of a pill for you to swallow as it is for them to hand out. That's where trust comes in. This idea can solidify and make stronger your relationships with these friends. That two-way communication is key. You don't want to hear it just as much as they don't want to say it.
However, if you allow yourselves to hear them just as much as they're allowing themselves to say it, this can bring a level of synergy, and dare we say, collaboration, to every project, old and new.
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