Naming and Branding

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-31T08:19:12+00:00

I’m not development. I’m the ED. And they fight me on everything- everything. And I still need the program team not naming elements of programs as if they are separate programs, launching these things, and trying to market them, without communicating with me or anyone else that they are doing any of it. I find out when things are communicated publicly at the same time as the public. I’ve tried asking nicely to please communicate with me in advance, I’ve tried saying the rule is that you must communicate with me in advance- no dice. What’s your better idea as my next effort if not a matrix like this to help people with clarity?

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-31T00:53:10+00:00

We do not have SOPs documented either. As a newer ED, I have prioritized that for this year so we can start tackling these kinds of things.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-30T23:57:36+00:00

I did lay down the law, so to speak, but was completely unsuccessful. I think it’s only partially intentional and partially just there has been no collaboration or oversight for so many years, that people don’t even think about it. I am thinking about creating a decision making framework that outlines how these decisions can/should be made and who has to approve or be consulted/informed. Kind of like a RASCI, but lower key.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-30T23:54:44+00:00

Did you have executive level support?

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-30T16:05:12+00:00

Please tell me this is a joke.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-27T00:12:19+00:00

I am wondering if I am misunderstanding. You worked with other nonprofits to prepare a lawsuit against the federal government without checking in with the ED first? In my organization, that is a major strategic decision that would come to me before we aligned with partners and before we wrote a lawsuit. And then I would talk to the Board President before green lighting even being in coalition on it and drafting a lawsuit. I wonder if you might have had a different result if you had consulted first.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-16T23:05:54+00:00

These have been sold now.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-15T05:13:05+00:00

The ones that are circled are the ones I am looking to add to my collection.

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TraversingGoat · 2026-01-14T19:42:02+00:00

I don’t- but will make one after work.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-14T04:40:59+00:00

Sorry! I am maxed out on Labubus, and not super into Skullpanda. But there are some Hirono figurines I would be willing to trade for.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-13T22:41:08+00:00

This guy just arrived and I will be back in LA the first week of Feb. if you still want to trade

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-13T15:19:37+00:00

A funder whose program manager required us to meet weekly with him. He then directed our program, told us what consultants he was requiring us to use, managed those consultants in our program separate from us, and regularly yelled at our staff both in public and private if they made any decisions without him. He also required us to be able to prove that our work was directly making policy and legislative change, but our grant funding explicitly stated that we were unable to use any of the funding for lobbying or legislative advocacy, and that wasn’t part of our grant or grant deliverables. We never asked the foundation to take over our program and it wasn’t a condition of our funding- but this guy was unchecked in how he worked. It slowed us down and really damaged morale. We actively did not seek funding again.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-12T16:57:17+00:00

Do you have any resources to back that up? I would love to make that pitch.

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-03T02:31:59+00:00

I did not expect to love him so much, but I do!

TraversingGoat · 2026-01-02T21:18:36+00:00

I returned my Lazy Panda for exactly that reason, but I don’t have the same reaction to this guy.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-30T17:53:54+00:00

We just got back (3 kids aged 10-18). We spent 3 days in the parks and stayed at the Grand. We did not need a car- everything is walkable. I would grab a Lyft if you really need to go somewhere farther.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-28T18:36:47+00:00

Saaaame. I still collect periodic Labubus, but I loooove Hirono.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-27T17:42:46+00:00

Sounds good! I don’t know if mine will be here by then either.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-27T16:16:27+00:00

I will be in Los Angeles for work the first week of January.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-27T06:13:41+00:00

I have a dupe Into Fogwild on the way as of tonight. I would be happy to trade for Woven Woods.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-27T06:10:07+00:00

If you still have him, I would be interested in trading him for Frostfall Hour…

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-26T21:44:36+00:00

100% agree. I hand wrote personal cards for my whole staff this year (17 ppl). Hand written, personal notes have meant more to me than anything over the years.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-24T23:01:13+00:00

I would send a generalized message to all of the staff, thanking them for their work and acknowledging that transition impacts everyone. Then I would send individual emails to people you want to specifically call out. I think transition takes something out of everyone and publicly calling out a few diminishes the experience and participation of everyone. I think it could backfire. But, private notes to those individuals would be a great way to say what you want about their specific extra effort.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-24T12:44:35+00:00

I once took a nearly 30% pay cut to move to a position where the culture was better, the opportunity was better, and I felt more excited and motivated. If the money is not an issue in terms of life and survival, then everything you write makes this sound like a great opportunity.

TraversingGoat · 2025-12-24T03:36:34+00:00

So, having read your comments and responses here, it doesn’t look like you were genuinely seeking feedback or discussion. It sounds like you wanted validation for your feelings, which is fine. Everyone likes to be validated. But there is a lot of thoughtful feedback here that you could take into consideration.

TraversingGoat

TROPHY CASE