ANCA’s Core Values hold that we are a welcoming community and that we value learning and sharing. With these values in mind, we want to share operational updates to keep you informed about what’s happening behind the scenes at ANCA and how we’re working to support our mission. We hope this glimpse into our work helps you feel more connected — and maybe even gives you ideas for your own operations.
New “Ways to Give” Content
The donation process should be easy for anyone who wants to give to a nonprofit. We recently reviewed our materials on giving, looking at how to simplify our Donate page while also sharing information about the various ways donors can give.
As a result, we developed a new Ways to Give page, which shares how donors can give beyond a cash donation. This new content links to individual pages about:
- Donor-advised funds
- Planned giving
- The ANCA Nature Nerd Campaign
- Vehicle donations
- Tax-wise approaches to giving
We want this new content to clarify giving options and raise awareness about donation methods that ANCA donors may not have considered. Leaving a bequest, for instance, is a simple way for donors to make a significant impact on ANCA — and we want all donors to know that this is a possibility.
Making the information available on our website was the first step. Moving forward, we will regularly share these giving methods in our communications.
We’re excited to make giving to ANCA more accessible to our community. Whether someone wants to support us today or leave a legacy for the future, we want them to have clear information to guide their decision. We invite you to explore these ways to give and consider how you might deepen your impact through one of these options!
Updates to ANCA Website
In February we updated the ANCA website with new content and a fresh look. These updates enhance the accessibility of our content while creating an engaging online presence for ANCA.
One of the goals with this update is to communicate the collective impact of nature centers and related organizations. You can see this on our home page — stay tuned for more, as we'll be adding more content about this soon.
ANCA Adjusts Holiday & PTO Policies
In recent years the ANCA staff has grown — now to three full-time positions — and we plan to build upon this in the future. In the context of this growth, last year we decided to review our personnel policies, identifying areas for improvement and making updates to support our team and reflect our values.
We began with our holiday and paid time off (PTO) policies. We chose a new direction for time off by implementing a flexible PTO policy, so that employees are personally accountable for managing and scheduling their PTO. We now offer:
- 25 days of PTO for full-time employees.
- 15 days of PTO for part-time employees who work 20 hours or more per week.
- 13 standard holidays, in addition to business days between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Employees may also request additional paid time off and additional holidays for religious observances. We maintain guidelines for the use of PTO, which include advance notice for planned PTO and approval for continuous PTO beyond five days.
As the policy states, "ANCA believes that trust should be inherent in all aspects of the organization." This flexible approach allows employees to operate with trust and autonomy, and ensures that ANCA offers a healthy workplace that attracts and retains talented professionals.
Cultivating Effective Governance: ANCA's Board & Committee Interest Form
In August 2022, we introduced a new process in ANCA's governance: a form inviting ANCA members to express interest in serving on an ANCA committee or the board of directors. We have since regularly shared this form in our member communications.
This process has successfully engaged passionate, qualified leaders who align with ANCA’s mission and strategic priorities — to date, 28 ANCA members have completed the form and joined a committee or the board. The approach has strengthened our leadership pipeline, contributing to more dynamic, effective governance. By providing a clear, accessible path for members to express interest, we are cultivating a dedicated, mission-driven community.
Sharing the form embodies our core value: we believe that the collective wisdom and diversity of our peer network is our greatest resource. By creating an open, accessible pathway for members to engage in leadership, we draw on our community's rich experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
See the form and learn more about this process here.
ANCA Earns Credentials in Human Resources and Marketing & Communication
In recent months, ANCA earned the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) credential badges in both human resources and marketing and communication, demonstrating that we are dedicated to best practices within these topics.
To earn these badges, ANCA staff attended two-day intensive trainings in each subject; ANCA Executive Director Jen Levy completed the training in human resources and ANCA Director of Marketing & Communications Asa Duffee completed the training in marketing and communication. Following the trainings, we submitted content for subject experts to review, including samples of our work and organizational policies.
UNA offers nine credentials for nonprofits to strengthen operations and demonstrate commitment to organizational excellence. ANCA has previously earned the UNA credential badge in advocacy in civic engagement.
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