What options are there to test drive your nonprofit?

Recently, we've been going through a painstaking process of car buying. It's time to update our oldest vehicle. Our vehicle purchase planning steps have included lots of online research, conversations with friends about vehicles and dealerships, and of course, a few test drives.

For us, test driving has literally become where the rubber meets the road in terms of narrowing down the vehicles of interest. After test drives of just a few miles, we've both eliminated vehicles from consideration and added possibilities to the list as we looked at similar cars since we were on the lot anyway. 

The experience got me to thinking: could your nonprofit offer more opportunities to test drive involvement with your mission?

It feels like there are never enough human resources to move your mission forward. Those who are already involved, like you, can be at risk for burnout. Large scale commitments like serving on your board of directors or chairing your special event can feel overwhelming to those not already intimately familiar with the good work you do. 

As you look towards 2014 for your nonprofit, consider: 

• What aspects of the work you do are the most inspirational? 
• How might you invite others to experience these inspirational aspects in easy, low time commitment, "test drive" style ways? 
• Who are three people you will invite to test drive your nonprofit in 2014?

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/inhabitat/