Work stuff

 My job is difficult to describe to people outside of non-profits so I usually don't. I say I'm a Grant Writer--because I am, but to some people that means a lot and to others it means nothing. I don't get too many people who are interested.

To be truthful, I do think grant writing is a spectacular professional that takes a lot of skill. Not only do you have to be an excellent writer, able to tell the stories of the organization in a way that is interesting and inspiring, but you also have to be savvy enough to find your way around hundreds of different online portals (none of which are user friendly) and be diligent enough to meet strict deadlines and compile loads and loads of paperwork. At my organization we submit about 15-30 applications every month and every single application has different requirements and expectations in order to receive funding. The work doesn't stop when an application is turned in. Once we get that funding it adds another to-do to our list, making sure each donor is thanked and informed about how we used their donation. 

While I enjoy this challenge very much, I do have dreams of going further in my non-profit career. Obviously, grant writers should be considered an important part of leadership but currently, they are not. Not really. I manage people, but I'm never invited to sit at the table for strategic planning or meet with the big funders. And I think I could do that.

So--I've decided to go after my CFRE, Certified Fund Raising Executive. And I've made it clear that some day I want to be in more of a leadership role--a Director of Development. 

It just so happens, our Director of Development just put in her two weeks notice. I have the most experience on the team. I have the desire to move into that position. I do agree that I have a lot more learning to do--so maybe I'm not ready for a Director role, but Development Manager seems appropriate. 

Imagine my surprise when I'm handed the job description for Development Office Manager. Office Manager? Like Pam Beasley? No offense to Pam, but no. That's not a role I want. 

I want the responsibilities--but I don't want that title (or the salary that was publicly posted with it.) My boss told me to apply anyways. He wants me to go for it and if I get it, we can discuss changes. I do trust that he will keep his word, but I'm also very confused why the position was posted in the first place. If he trusts me to do the job--shouldn't I just move into the job? And if he wants to see what else is out there, that's fine, but he also made it clear that if THIS isn't the role for me, he will be changing my current role. If he changes my current role, how will it jive with this Development Office Manager role?

I know none of this makes sense. That's OK. I've just made it a commitment to do more writing and at this present time, that is heavy on my mind. While Brendon is receiving clear instruction and growing into a job he loves, my job seems to be getting more and more confusing.