Nonprofit Sector

1. Nonprofit Sector Ronald McDonald House

2. Mission statement • “Ronald McDonald House at Stanford creates a home-away-from-home and supportive community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving specialized treatment at local hospitals.”

3. Nonprofit information • Opened in 1979 becoming the 5th RMH. • Donations make up 85% of funding. • Holds 47 families at full capacity. • 12 full-time staff, 100 volunteers. • Contains: Communal kitchen and dining room, Children’s Activity Room, Teen Recreation Center, Computer Center, family library, and fitness center.

4. Summary financial information

5. Full-time positions • COO, Executive Assistant, Development Director, Major Gifts Officer, Development Officer, Data Coordinator, Events & Communications Coordinator, House Operations Director, Accommodations Manager, Custodial Maintenance Technician, Family Services Director, Volunteer Coordinator, Family Activities Coordinator, Finance Director, Weekend Managers.

6. Area of interest • Family Services and Programs • Family Service Director – BriCarpaño-Seoane • Family Activities Coordinator – Sarah Reichanadter

7. Family Service director Interview • Professionalism is not lower in nonprofit, good education is key, learn management philosophies, run like a business, “realize, accept and embrace that you won’t be a millionaire” and don’t get burnt out. • Works close with CPA (financial director), development director and Executive director.

8. Family Service director Interview, continued • Over half the families are Spanish-speaking only, some recent immigrants and many undocumented. Entire department is bi-lingual. • “Organizational values” are important and keep away potential value clashes. • Confidentiality agreements and conflict of interest statements help prevent legal/ethical issues.

9. Family Service director Interview, continued • Very stressful job due to: • Small staff • Working with small children • Working through lunch • Working too many hours • Stress coping mechanisms? • Crying helps her to unwind on the way home • Helpful having an emotionally supportive husband

10. Family activities coordinator interview • Work with local community groups and families • Corporations like Google • Churches • Manages activities, families and volunteers • Meals for Munchkins • Arts and Crafts • Community Room • Educational background • International Relations in Spanish • Specializing in child development • 3½ years at RMH, 2 years in Mexican orphanage

11. Family activities coordinator interview, continued • Works closely with family service director, volunteer coordinator and volunteers. • Speaking Spanish is vital for this nonprofit. • Again, “Organizational values” are held, but correspondence with hospitals and outside organizations don’t always hold the same values. • Privacy is important in protecting the families. No pictures, no sharing information, protect the children.

12. Family activities coordinator interview, continued • Important skills to have: • Multitasking • Ability to react to the unknown • Flexibility • Working in crisis's • Professionalism • Keep emotions out of it • Be caring • Be compassionate

13. Family activities coordinator interview, continued • Working with sick children and their families can be stressful, especially when a death occurs. • Important to: • Not take in too much (keep work and own life separate) • Keep good relationships with staff • Prioritize work to prevent burn out. • Most importantly… BREATHE!