When I first moved to Los Angeles several years ago, I took a workshop with a casting director who said the film business in Hollywood is all about trust and relationships. I’ve since realized that the same can be said for all industries. In the world of non-profits, where organizations are often dependent on the many stakeholders we discussed in class this week, trust and relationships takes on an even greater importance.

Trust often takes a long time to build, but can be destroyed in less than a day. And many times our relationships that took so long to build and nurture get taken for granted. While living in Los Angeles I produced a series of one-acts to raise money for the local VFW, and sought out sponsors in the community to help cover operating costs; this ensured all of the money raised could be donated. It was an eclectic group of sponsors: a bar which was around the corner from my apartment, a medical marijuana dispensary (I thought they were some sort of botany company at first), and the Museum of Death which was located near the theatre.. After my production, some friends started their own theatre company and I introduced them to the bar owners and the Museum of Death founders. It was a great relationship for all parties. My friends made sure to have after-show drinks at the sponsoring bar and they loved visiting the museum. But over time they stopped patronizing both establishments. When I would ask why they weren’t going to the bar anymore, they would mention that they didn’t think the bartender was that friendly, so they went somewhere else. When I would inquire the last time they visited the museum, they would counter that they were “too busy.” After I moved back to NY, both businesses stopped supporting the theatre company.

We never know which board member is going to open new doors for us, or which staff member or volunteer will come up with the next great idea. We never know which local government official is going to get promoted or elected to a position of higher power, or which reporter is going to climb the ladder to a pulpit that reaches a greater audience. It’s important to build trust and maintain strong relationships with ALL of our stakeholders, not least of our our constituents who are hopefully the reason we’re doing this in the first place!