Lesley Santos Dierks, CEO of Spokes in San Luis Obispo recently sat down with 805conversations' host Mark Sylvester to talk about her passion for helping those in the non-profit sector. She focuses on helping both internal staff and the ecosystem that surrounds the non-profit, including the members of the Board.

"Your perspective is the thing that can't be taken from you."

Topics included;

• How to use Corporate Philanthropy as a recruiting tool • What is CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility • How to avoid the Peanut Butter approach - spreading yourself too thin • What defines as non-profit - hint: it's about your Mission • Why there are over 1,500 non-profits in San Luis Obispo • The classes that are available to learn all aspects of running and working with a non-profit • How to think about succession planning - a great way to build leadership • How to get clarity on the expectations and responsibilities of being a board member of a non-profit • Why you should consider being a board member next time you are asked. • This was an enlightening conversation and unique in that Spokes provides such an important service to the community.

Getting a deeper understanding of the role of non-profits in the region also helps us as members of the 805 region's business community get a better feel on how we can help, collectively and individually.

"For every dragon there's a white knight."