Pause and Plan as Election Day Approaches

For many of us, the time leading up to the US elections on Nov. 5th has been one of urgency, action, excitement, and anxiety. Now, a week out, let’s take a deep breath or two. Let’s give ourselves a moment to pause, reflect and plan for the days and weeks approaching. Those of us in the nonprofit sector, who orient our livelihoods and lives around community care, social good, racial equity, and other just causes and concerns know our work will continue, regardless of election outcomes. And that taking good care of ourselves and each other has never been more important than it is at this moment.  

Here's some guidance based on what NFF has planned and what we’ve learned from clients and partners. We will be listening for additional ideas and drawing on this advice during the weeks ahead, as contentious Presidential and down-ballot election results emerge. 

• Acknowledge the emotions and tensions that elections cause, including the anxiety that some people may feel. 
• Check in with your colleagues and staff to hear how they are doing, and make sure you have the time and emotional bandwidth to actively listen and engage. This could include taking a walk, a 15-minute video check-in, or an open and optional online meeting for folks to drop in and share.  
• Remind staff they contribute to organizational culture and can lean on organizational values to navigate challenging times. At NFF, our shared values include centering community, mutual respect, integrity, and learning. We can draw on our practice of embodying and holding each other accountable to these values during this election season.   
• Demonstrate authentic leadership by listening to employee concerns and needs and taking action when possible.

• Make sure all team members have time to vote. At NFF, that includes 4 hours available to employees on Nov. 5 to vote and/or work at the polls and an option to make it a no-meeting day. We are recommending that staff avoid scheduling important meetings before, on, and soon after election day. And we are prepared to make further schedule adjustments if the election results are protracted.   
• Provide support resources such as Employee Assistance Programs or counseling services and information on how to access such resources confidentially, if and as needed.  
• Allow for adjusted schedules and be willing to adjust deadlines if needed and where possible. 
• Listen to colleagues and equip managers with internal resources (and/or external consultants depending on time, budgets, and needs) to help manage difficult conversations and dynamics.  

• Foster a culture of respect and civility by encouraging open dialogue and active listening. Acknowledge varying degrees of psychological safety experienced by members of your team at different levels of tenure, and across different identities, including race and gender. 
• Encourage staff to seek to understand each other’s perspectives and find common ground regardless of political differences, where it is possible. 
• Encourage and allow for pauses and silence in conversations during department and staff meetings. You might find it helpful to use breathing exercises to reinforce mind and body connection.  
• Create additional space for colleagues to manage stress related to potential protracted election results. This could include working with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leaders to organize 1:1 and/or group conversations.
• Consider how existing groups and teams can be supportive places for small-group discussions. At NFF, this includes Employee Resource Groups where, on an optional basis, people who identify as part of the same group (such as Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American; Black; and Latina/Latino/Latinx, and LGBTQ+ employees) come together regularly. 

As we continue our work during an emotionally charged week, it is time to double down on our commitments to the communities, networks, and relationships that sustain us. For some, this election comes with deep organizational and personal fears, and we need to take good care of ourselves and our team members. Sometimes, that will mean we shift planned meetings and agendas and simply ask each other, “What do you need right now?” — and then be open to the conversation that may follow. 

Let’s hold space, proceed with grace, and take some deep breaths together.  

Additional resources: 

• Building Resilience in Uncertain Times | Nonprofit Finance Fund 
• 5 Things Managers Can Do to Get Election-Ready - The Management Center 
• Headspace guided meditations