"Those in power, who previously held others to 'professional' standards, are experiencing for themselves how difficult it is to maintain those standards when life is hard," says guest columnist Sam Chenkin.

Urban Tree Connection's board disruption included eliminating the geographic disconnect between the board and those they served; completely changing the board recruitment approach, and acknowledging the political context of the organization's mission.

"Randy Blough is an instigator. Randy Blough is a disrupter. Randy Blough is my hero," says Christopher Saello in his guest column.

As part of our January editorial calendar topic, this month we focus on the totally awesome (and just a little bit fearsome) "Disruptors and Instigators" of the nonprofit world.

You'll see some favorite editorial calendar topics, like Women in Leadership and Leaders of Color, return next year. But we'll focus our reporting on some provocative new topics as well (because we like to start conversations...).