In this episode of Nonprofit Architect, Travis talks with Mark Bowers.  Mark has run a consulting business called Lighthouse One.  Mark and Travis talk about the importance of mission statements, identifying people to partner with, and knowing if you are making a difference.

Conversation Highlights: 

{01:20} Introduction of guest

{08:20} Importance of knowing your mission statement. 

{14:36} How a mission statement helps you identify people to help or partner with.

{22:15} The importance of having quantitative numbers and stories of people you have helped.

{28:22} How to know if your mission is memorable

{[31:30} Your mission statement is an invitation to carry on the conversation.

{35:30} How do you know that what you're doing is making a difference?

{48:04} Using physics to understand your mission.

{56:07} What if you do not enjoy the idea of measuring success.

Remarkable quotes: 

After 30 years in the adult workforce, all of a sudden, all that stuff I grew up with just came back to me.

What makes you stand out to sponsors? What makes you stand out to potential volunteers? 

We've elevated the individual. How does that in turn, elevate the community

When I meet somebody and we have that quick conversation, the next time I see them or am in contact with them is to ask them what they think of the organization.

Built into that perfect little mission state purple purpose statement is that invitation to learn more

Resources: 

mark.bowers@lighthouse-one.com">mark.bowers@lighthouse-one.com.

https://www.facebook.com/LighthouseOne.Impact/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/1markdbowers/

https://twitter.com/markdbowers

one.com/">https://lighthouse-one.com/

 Bio: Matt Browers

Mark Bowers helps mission-focused organizations do more good. His consulting business Lighthouse One is built on a foundation of 20 years of US Navy service and another 10 years delivering professional management consulting services to the federal government. He received a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1982, and his master’s degree in Information Systems from the Navy Postgraduate School in 1989.

After departing the corporate workforce, Mark established Lighthouse One to leverage his skills in strategic planning, coaching, and systematic performance improvement for the benefit of leaders eager to convert good intentions into great results for the communities they serve. His passion is to help leaders of mission-driven organizations make a distinctive and sustainable impact. His seminars, workshops, and consulting services emphasize measuring what matters—particularly the intangible “how we work” elements that define organizational culture.

Mark also serves his community as the founder and Executive Director of the Professional Development Consortium of Hampton Roads (PDCHR), an educational platform for the leaders of membership associations. He is a volunteer leader with the International Society for Performance Improvement. Mark has also served on the Board of Directors for the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Council (SDVOSB-C), the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association of Hampton Roads, and the Project Management Institute Hampton Roads Chapter. Mark is an experienced career coach, a trained facilitator, and has been a volunteer caseworker for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. He can be reached at

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