Casco Passage Executive Coaching
A confidential, individualized service to support nonprofit executive directors in meeting immediate and long-term challenges and strengthening their leadership abilities
The role of the nonprofit chief executive is exceptionally challenging and frequently lonely. Nonprofit senior leaders are charged with a broad span of responsibilities, and, especially in Maine’s many small nonprofits, perform a very wide range of functions that require multiple areas of expertise.
Executive Coaching is unique and powerful in that it meets leaders “where they are,” offering tailored, spot-on assistance and support through a confidential relationship. In a couple of hours per month – either in person or by phone – significant change and progress can be achieved and sustained.
The Program
The program consists of six, two-hour sessions over the course of six months. The first session is an in-person meeting; later ones are by telephone. Following the initial two-hour session, clients can opt for spacing out the remaining ten hours to best serve their needs. For example, it might be useful to have two one-hour sessions during a particularly challenging month.
Although this is a highly individualized service, the overall structure moves from assessment and goal-setting in the first session to focused work on the identified issue or issues through the next four sessions, each of which ends with a concrete action plan for the coming month, to a final session to sum up what has been achieved and what remains to be done. During the final session, a plan will be made to identify actions and strategies for the client to employ following the end of the six sessions to continue to make and solidify the desired changes.
Coaching topics can be quite varied. Examples include organizational sustainability, strengthening the relationship between the Executive Director and the Chair of the Board, forging a strategic organizational partnership or merger, and effective time management and delegation.
The Cost
For MANP members, the fee for the six two-hour sessions is $1,250. For nonmembers, the fee is $1,500. MANP members who want to extend the coaching relationship beyond the six-session package will receive the same discounted rate for the additional sessions.
The Coach
Sharon Rosen, Ph.D. founded her consulting business, Casco Passage, four years ago to assist Maine nonprofit and philanthropic leaders in starting from a strategic vision and making it a sustainable reality. She brings 30+ years of diverse health, community development, human service, policy, and research experience and leadership in philanthropy, government, and academia to this work.
She was formerly the President and CEO of Pentagoet and the Executive Director of the Bingham Program, two Maine foundations, and is currently serving as the part-time Consultant/Executive Director of the newly formed Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation, which she has helped the Trustees design and organize. Before moving to Maine, she founded a health careers high school for Boston youth; led Massachusetts’ Health Statistics and Research Bureau at the Department of Public Health, where she managed a diverse staff of 65; and taught Community Psychology at several universities.
Testimonials
"Picture yourself working in your organization or on your project with a guardian angel looking over your shoulder. This is what it is like to work with Sharon Rosen. She provides mentoring and support far beyond what she is paid for and helps you to realize potential you never even knew you had. Investing in Sharon is an investment in your future."
~Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Ph.D.
Incoming Executive Director, Maine Crafts Association
Executive Director, The Maine Highlands Guild
Dover-Foxcroft, ME
"Although I've been in nonprofit management for 20-plus years, I recently realized that I needed to better understand the grantmaking landscape here in Maine and beyond. Thanks to Sharon Rosen's superb coaching, I've been able to pursue funding with more confidence and know-how. Her insight into the process, the funders and their priorities has been enormously valuable to me and to my organization. I'd recommend Sharon to any colleague who needs to build their expertise, whether it be in the area of foundation funding or other issues relating to management and leadership."
~Jim Harnar
Executive Director, The Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership
Portland, ME
"We first worked with Sharon Rosen four years ago when we received a large grant from the foundation she was then administering. Long after the project was over, I realized I was still calling her for advice on a wide range of issues. Reflecting back it might seem odd, but of course, with Sharon, it was completely natural. She had always been interested in building a complete picture of our organization and used all her experience and contacts to help us move forward. We didn't want to let go after the project so we invited her to join our board."
~David S. Weiss
Executive Director, Northeast Historic Film
Bucksport, ME
"During Sharon’s 10-year relationship with the Healthy Island Project, she has been our first funder, a board member, and a longtime trusted advisor. Although Sharon comes from the "big city" – and brings both an incredibly broad vision as well as a lifetime of rich experience which allows her to expertly navigate complex waters – she clearly has an affinity for working with grassroots organizations like ours. Rather than having a particular package to sell, she works with groups where they are, customizing what she does to what the group needs and wants at the time. You get the benefit of her experience and perspective, but, first and foremost, it's not about her, but about the community's vision for the work."
~Kimberly Hutchinson
Former Executive Director, Healthy Island Project
Stonington, ME
For more information, please contact Sharon by email or phone, 207-772-7514.
