ShaKing Alston

August 2008

ShaKing Alston is Vice President, Metro New York Initiatives for The Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc (CCSNYS)

First time attendee of the Alliance 10^th Anniversary Conference shares his view on the key educational pieces gained from the conference.

“I gained a greater understanding of different approaches employed in capacity building and specific tools successful practitioners utilize.”

Prior to CCSNYS, ShaKing was the Executive Director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYCEJA), where he lead a citywide network of grassroots organizations that sought to advance the quality of life in their neighborhoods campaigns to promote Brownfields redevelopment, inaugural participation in the NYC Apollo Alliance, siting of solid waste facilities. NYCEJA also lead campaigns to promote increased access to open space in these communities.

ShaKing also has a wealth of experience with nonprofits in diverse communities throughout Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts. He has worked for the National Parks Conservation Association and was the former executive director of the Boston based Environmental Diversity Forum, a New England wide organization which addressed the lack of diversity in the environmental movement. ShaKing was also a health and safety trainer for the New England Consortium based at University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Mr. Alston sits on the board of several organizations in New York City.

How long have you been involved in nonprofit capacity building?

I have been working in the nonprofit sector for more than 15 years. A considerable amount of that time has been administering and providing training to nonprofit conservation and environmental organizations in Boston, Massachusetts and New York City.

What is your current capacity building work?

As the Vice President, Metro New York Initiatives for the Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc. (CCSNYS). We offer a range of management and governance training and technical assistance. Board development services include understanding board responsibilities, fiscal accountability, legal obligations, fund development, strategic planning and human resources. Many relevant courses provided throughout New York State. See the website for additional information. Our services are billed hourly, depending on agency size. We also offer free trainings to select affiliates of NYS agencies. My focus is on small and mid-sized organizations to assist them in carrying out their mission through board development, customized training and technical assistance and introducing examples of best practices.

What is the most exciting possible outcome of your work as a capacity builder?

To offer services which allow our membership and other organizations to develop their capacity to implement programs that allows them to thrive in their communities.

What do you find most challenging?

Recognizing limited financial resources available to Nonprofit organizations for capacity building and how it Impacts their ability to provide services for their constituents.

What would you like to see happen in the field? 

It's all about resources. Nonprofits provide invaluable services but often fall short of meeting goals because there's a general lack of funding and manpower. I'd like to us examine new avenues to secure not only much needed funding, but also finding ways to attract people power. Individuals are can contribute time and energy.  We are at a unique moment in history where work in the nonprofit sector is being acknowledged more than ever. Thus presenting a tremendous opportunity for how service delivery in the future will evolve. We need to capitalize on this and build momentum for our field.

How long have you been a member?

My organization has been a member since (1999).

How many conferences have you attended?

This was my first conference.

What is your most valuable aspect of the conference?  

The opportunity to meet and learn from other practitioners, taking examples from their successes, learning what pitfalls to avoid, and seeing different approaches to the same obstacles we all encounter.

What changes would you suggest for next year?

I enjoyed various aspects of the Alliance Conference. I thought the sessions were very insightful. My only suggestion would be to create staggered times for the affinity groups to meet.

What impact do you expect this conference to reflect on your work?

The conference this year was very inspiring and has allowed me to think much more creatively about new approaches to address the challenges I face with organizations I serve.

What was the key educational piece from the conference you gained?

I gained a greater understanding of different approaches employed in capacity building and specific tools successful practitioners utilize. 

If you could offer advice to someone who is young and emerging into the field, what would you offer?

Try to attend this conference whenever you can, meet as many people you can and try to stay in touch with them throughout your career. Having a circle of supporters throughout your career is immensely important. I'd also encourage them to find a mentor. Someone who's will to lend an ear and provide feedback when they need it, and most of all Good Luck!

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