Julie Ambler: Developing leaders, establishing culture, and growing generosity

Fundraising can flourish in healthy, tight-knit cultures. So it makes sense to devote a portion of our limited bandwidth on optimizing our culture – for better fundraising results and for many other reasons! But, how do we create and nurture this critical success factor? This week’s episode talks about how one Texas school has begun to accomplish this. 

 

My guest this week is Julie Ambler, Head of School at The Woodlands Christian School and current chairperson of CESA, the Council of Educational Standards and Accountability. 

 

Five years ago, Julie designed and introduced a year-long class to train her school’s emerging leaders on the school’s history, culture and operations. In my estimation, it’s a fabulous tribute to:

• the importance of mentors and 
• the success that comes when we’re INTENTIONAL about leadership development.

With each successive cohort, Julie is strategically growing culture organically throughout her faculty / staff team. Does this create an environment in which healthy teams can flourish? Yes! Does it build trust and a common core experience? YES! And does it ALSO serve as an example of how we can effectively grow cultures of generosity within our school communities? Also, YES!

 

You’ll find my conversation with Julie insightful about

1) identifying and developing future leaders,

2) the value and wisdom in establishing and nurturing culture throughout your organization, and

3) how to use both of those methods to grow a culture of generosity - starting with some of the most influential members of your community, your faculty and staff, and then applying those concepts to your parents and beyond.

 

At the end of the conversation, I offer you a couple of practical applications based on what Julie’s shared with us to enhance your everyday work in development.

Let me know what you find most helpful by leaving me a review and rating my podcast!

 

Resources:

Kim Jennings is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a member of the consultant team at Total Advancement Solutions by Generis. 

Follow Kim on Instagram and FB @yourk12fundraisingcoach 

and on LinkedIn at kimtjenningscfre

Access free fundraising resources for your Christian school at www.kimtjennings.com and https://blog.generis.com/blog

 

You CAN craft a culture of generosity and build a sustainable pipeline of givers. Learn more about my digital course, Onboarding New Parents with Purpose: A Proven Plan for Increasing Generosity at www.kimtjennings.com/cultureofgenerosity 

 

For more information on Kim’s services as a coach and consultant to leaders and K12 Christian schools visit www.generis.com/Kim-Jennings and www.kimtjennings.com