By Nancy Long, executive director of 501 Commons

2014 was another year of change and growth at 501 Commons. We have been getting to know lots of new staff members, with our ranks growing to 37. With two board members and six team members welcoming new additions to their households, we have also been celebrating the expanding ranks of our extended staff family.

Since most moms and our one new dad took leaves, and all the moms have come back to work at reduced time, we have had to rely on each other and find new ways to keep programs humming. It is in times like this that you see the power of the culture, as people step up to shoulder more of the work while their co-worker absorbs big changes at home.

We also relocated to Pacific Tower where we have views that quite literally take your breath away and – almost as good – meeting rooms we don’t have to schlep to.

Nearly 5,000 people visit our website monthly. They browse services, Resource Directory consultants, and improvement tools and shortcuts. Free calls to the Information and Referral Program are up 18 percent.

While there was hardly time to bask in the glow, we won Seattle Business Magazine recognition as the Nonprofit of the Year (shared with Seattle CityClub). We were also recognized twice by America’s Service Commissions for our innovative emergency planning program and our Executive Service Corps, which grew by 35 members. Service Corps and Volunteer Manager Corps members contributed $2 million in volunteer time.

Financial Services and IT Infrastructure are each about to hit 100 ongoing service contracts. We did 53 web, database, and tech planning projects and 81 IT Infrastructure projects. Human Resources provided that “just-right slice” of an HR professional to four HR Partners and undertook 30 short-term projects. Seventy-three organizations participated in our cohort programs, which provide team-based leadership development and organizational planning.

All in all, 2014 was a year that echoed race car driver Mario Andretti: “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.”

Our goal is to go fast, providing you with opportunities to build your skills, knowledge, and leadership capacity so your organization has the infrastructure and clear vision that allows you to change the world.

How did we do? Let us know how 501 Commons helped your organization succeed last year. If we let you down, or you can’t find what you need, let me know at nancy@501commons.org.