There are three ways you can get experience:
-Take classes at the local Community College
-Volunteer at a local Non-profit that benefits Animals
-Work for or operate a For-profit business that is similar to the one you want to found as a non- profit.
Part of the background information gathering you are doing can include spending time volunteering with a group or organization that is doing something very similar to what you want your organization to do. Taking classes or working toward certification as a riding instructor or in animal management wont hurt your cause. While working on the basics of your non-profit, including the funding, you can also be working toward educating yourself in as many aspects of everyday management as possible.
This can be done in several ways.
First search the phone directory to see who is local. You will be doing this anyway so you don't run unnecessary competition to other horse organizations. For instance if there is a local equine rescue then volunteer in the fall or winter when they have a shortage of volunteers because college or high school is in session. Make sure that they know that you are thinking of starting an organization for Mustangs and that you want to have the experience.
Please, also understand the ethics. it wont go down well if you try to steal their funding sources or mailing lists and if the need arises where there may be horses that come to you that need to go to their rescue they may not want to cooperate if you haven't been honest with them. You want your organization to be mutually beneficial and vice a versa.
If you cant volunteer with a horse organization then Volunteer with a local humane society or other animal rescue. Sometimes Dog and Cat rescues will receive larger animals and if they discover that you are in the process of establishing your own non-profit they might support you in exchange for a place to hold the over flow. Generally they do pay or collect money for upkeep if that is necessary.
If there are no animal organizations then try to volunteer with organizations that have a thrift store or food bank. These can be valuable experiences in dealing with the public and seeing how fund raising works.
The more variety you have in your experience the more helpful it will be both to those who will be investing in your project and in the success of your project.
Another thing if you are planning on doing a specific type of rescue net work and try to find one that is successful and established and find out if they would allow you to visit and ask you questions. If possible, and they are doing almost exactly what you hope to do see if they will let you spend a few months volunteering at their organization. This may require that you have three to 4 months of living expenses saved up or you can write it into part of your budget as ongoing education expenses. It will be worth it and your organization will benefit from the experience.
I suggest that you get the most variety as possible in your experience that will help you do exactly what your goal is.
Here are a few classes that might be helpful in managing your non-profit
Small Business Administration
Writing a Business Plan
Accounting
Grant Writing
Large Animal Maintenance
Vet Tech training
Farm Management
Horse management
Riding Instructor Certification
Pasture maintenance
Eco system management.
Plus any number of courses that might be offered that would apply but are not listed above. They are creating new courses every day. Some are continuing eduction courses and others are toward certificate programs.
Remember anytime you make a contact like this through a class, gather and keep as many business cards and contact information as possible for you reference resource book.
Next Blog Post: Formulas For Management ( getting ready to do that proposal budget)
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