As the recession deepens, an increasing number of nonprofit organizations must look more closely at cutting costs — and at the grim possibility of laying off employees.

In turn, many employees who have felt safe in their positions are now worried about the stability of their jobs.

What can employees do to prove that they are indispensable? What steps should they take to bring more value to their organizations?

What can employers do to ease the fears of staff members and inspire them to improve their performance at this critical time?

Join these experts for an online discussion on January 13 at noon Eastern time to discuss those and other career-related questions:

• Nick Fellers, president of For Impact-the Suddes Group, a training and consulting company in Ostrander, Ohio, that helps nonprofit groups and their executives with organizational development, career development, and fund raising.

• Karen Katz, founder of the Career Acceleration Network, a career-counseling company in Philadelphia. She has spent more than 30 years in career development, helping executives at businesses and nonprofit organizations.

• Lynne Sarikas, director of the M.B.A. career center at Northeastern University’s College of Business Administration, in Boston. She previously worked as vice president for development at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

The Chronicle’s online discussions are free and open to everyone. People who ask questions in advance have a better chance of getting answers.