When it comes to preventing a terrorist attack on your organization, there are two main factors to consider: the threat and your ability to ward it off. While the most obvious is to ensure your organization’s infrastructure is up to par, your efforts can extend beyond the walls of your building. Aside from keeping your staff and volunteers safe, you can also play a role in the recovery effort. You can do this by creating and maintaining a disaster response plan that is not only scalable to meet changing needs, but based on realistic objectives and funding sources.
The most important part of any emergency plan is having a clear understanding of your roles and responsibilities. Your board can help lead the charge by determining who is responsible for what, enforcing policy and procedures, and taking appropriate action. It is also helpful to keep your head above water by taking steps to mitigate the risk of disaster in the first place. For example, you could implement a system to record your staff’s location when it becomes necessary to evacuate or reroute routes.
Managing COIs is not a new concept. The goal of good COI management is to identify and leverage the best of the best among your employees. This doesn’t mean you have to eliminate every COI; the key is identifying and removing any that are a threat to your mission and organizational goals.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to use a good internal control. An internal control is a system designed to prevent the loss or misuse of your organization’s assets. Examples include a good expenditure review process and regular independent audits of your bank statements. There are many ways to implement internal controls, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, implementing a handful of effective controls is likely to have a big payoff in terms of ensuring your assets are protected from the vagaries of human behavior.
If you’re considering a security measure that may require some additional training or technical expertise, you can seek out the help of a qualified security professional. They can advise you on the most effective ways to implement your plans and provide you with the tools you need to make your security efforts as effective as possible.
As you consider the appropriate measures to protect your organization, keep in mind that the statewide umbrella nonprofit organization in New Jersey, Center for Non-Profits, is ready to offer its support and help. In addition to providing cost-saving member services, the center provides advocacy, education, and technical assistance to help New Jersey’s nonprofits navigate the many changes that are taking place in the charitable sector. Moreover, the organization has released a report, New Jersey Non-Profits 2016: Trends and Outlook, that offers a state-by-state comparison of the statewide nonprofit community’s financial status and the number of grant-funded projects.