This past week the readings for Leadership-Community really challenged some thoughts I had carried into my MBA program with me. I sought out my MBA largely to take a look at efficiencies in nonprofit work, because working for donors I wanted to be able to serve more with less resources, and really stretch the support of our donors to the greatest amount of work that could be done.
Last week I read segments from Walk Out Walk On. The premise is that sometimes when most people say something is hopeless or can't be done, there are some who feel there is possibility. When these people combine, great things happen. The book took us to different places around the world. The place that challenged me was Kafunda, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe struggles with out of control inflation. I believe it was at such a rate that the author wrote, if you were going to buy a beer, and have a second, you better buy both at the same time, because by the time you are done with the first, the second would double in price.
A lady with roots in Zimbabwe carved off 30 acres from her ranch and created the Kafunda Village. You see, this area had been peppered with operations of efficiency by national development and relief agencies. The results of the "efficiently grown grain" long term mean that all the region was eating was grain, malnutrition broke out, and on top of that HIV and Aids was rampant, and purchasing food or Rxs was a bit out of the question due to the rapid inflation. The Kafunda Village gathered together and instead of being efficiency driven, they focused on resiliency. They returned to the gardening practices of their grandparents and found sustainable farming. They utilized outhouses to enrich the soil and began an orchard. They utilized these skills and came up with nutritional supplements to help those struggling with Aids and HIV.
This week I just kept struggling with the fact that there are many nonprofits that do have room to grow in business skills and efficiencies, but how far do you push it to remain socially sustainable. Its chemistry trying to create the right mix of social sustainability and efficiencies. How does a leader determine what the right amount is? How can you determine whether something looks great on paper now- but what are the long term ramifications?
I wrote down on a small notebook piece of paper "sustainable efficiency."
Then my mind wandered, as it often does, about collaborations. How do they play into sustainable efficiency? Do the mixing and binding of missions create a stronger chord, or does it work like a woven tapestry, that if one falls out, the whole thing begins to become unwoven?
I was stretched by my paper from last week- thinking about collaboration. I came up with a mental picture- the Master Plumber. I thought of each agency, each mission as a pipe that has a specific job- does a specific thing. Sometimes it feels like nonprofits are just so consumed by that little piece of pipe. So inwardly focused on general operations and "my service area". Its so defined, and at the same time, the definition gives limits. We must know and remain true to our missions. We must be fiscally responsible. The point I am trying to make is that if we know our mission as well as we should- couldn't we see how that mission fits easily with other like missions? Couldn't we, as a master plumber, say "Hey- we do this really well. You do that, but if we came in and plugged in right here within your services- well we either stop a leak or even expand services to further regions"...
I recently witnessed a proposal for collaboration that fell short. An agency A approached agency B with an opportunity to provide services for their clients. The services would help with the client's transition out of the programming, but really was just the next step beyond the program offering of Agency B. This funding also would come with new reporting criteria and create some hiccups for the way things are done at Agency B- all for clients that were already seemingly successfully transitioning. The collaboration fell outside of the current pipeline, and seems to be falling flat.
Yesterday as I was driving home from work, I had it on my mind, and thought- what have I learned from my MBA, that if I were in a place of decision making about this, that I could decide if this would be a collaboration worth pursuing, and is it a sustainable efficiency? I began to ask myself additional questions.
Agency B prepares its clients for independence. Would this aid in a transition out of the program or would it foster the spirit of dependence?
What percentage of clients, upon leaving the program, would really need assistance in this way?
What percentage of clients remain in the program, because they lack this assistance?
How much time do some of these clients remain in the program just because they lack this piece?
Could the program extend? Could case management and some services be offered still to these individuals if they transitioned early with this program?
Could the result be that we move individuals a little faster through the program, providing more opportunity for those on the wait list, and at the same time build the strength of services to program alumni?
Its a careful deliberation of trying to understand the story, why they do things the way they do, and the purposes for the kind of reporting they do and the kind of reporting they don't do. How do they ensure quality of service, to the most they can, with a long history and many more years to provide this service?
This is long, and perhaps too much information... but its me- trying to understand how history, sustainability, efficiency, scope and nonprofits all fit together. How do you honor each piece of the puzzle, and at the end honor the clients and the donors? This is the complexity of service...
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
My rambling thoughts as I prepare to write my next paper...
This week was our first in the Leadership of Community class. I loved the readings preparing up until the class. Its challenging to even consider what is community and in the midst of diversity how does it exist. Even greater is the question of how this community determines what is common values, common good and how do we get there... or any where...as a community?
This next week our deliverable is a 5-page paper. We are to discuss five things we would change in the world and why? I had an early sneak peek at the syllabus a couple weeks ago when the professor emailed us a copy, and I've been thinking about it off and on. Nothings really coming to me clearly.... I'm thinking about what peeves me... but a paper on how windshield wipers drag across only a semi wet windshield just doesn't make the cut. I also think about my passions...but right now in my development it feels a bit like nailing jello to the wall. I think about terms or themes that have been behind my passions or even reasons for coming back to school... the word that comes to mind is "empowering".
If I think back about my experience in helping to develop Ascend, the Round Rock Chamber's Young Professional Development Program, I love how what's become of it is a program that engages young people to responsibly engage in the community to move it forward and address current challenges, while the result is young people who are empowered to leave their imprint. Each person in the class has such unique talents and passions. In a way, this class helps me to extend beyond myself to the betterment of my, now friends, and feel committed to their success and rejoice with them when they take a step forward in their personal goals.
So this is the result, but if I'm looking for fodder for my paper, what was the kindling that allowed this program to spark?
In starting the class, we revisited our top 5 strengths as identified in our first leadership class some 18 months ago. My strengths are Positivity, Includer, WOO (Winning Others Over), Arranger, and Communication. In class we discussed each other's growth, but the trait that always seems to be a trend in conversation is the Woo'ers. Some people speak of how they like this trait, some wish they had it, or are just thankful for having friends that have it. Some plainly speak of how they can't stand some people with it. No matter the gamut, my friends in the class have labeled me as the class' WOO poster child.
Some Woo'ers give us the reputation of those kids that ran for class council. Postering their name everywhere and making conversation for the illusion of friends. I think many in the class feel uncomfortable when they are put into a position where they are forced to demonstrate this trait. Some feel overwhelmed in the presence of an unleashed woo'er.
The spring of my WOO well really stems from my other tendencies... I'm an includer. I know what its like to walk into a room of people I don't know and see only the backs of people buried in conversations of comfort. Hospitality was a key value for me growing up, and my positivity wants to ensure that when someone in the room does find themselves alone in a room full of people, that they have an encounter that leaves them feeling welcomed, loved, and empowered, even if I'll never see the person again. Plus, its just easier to make it all about someone else. When my being "friendly" is about how I make someone else feel, its alot easier to "WOO".
ALL this to say... when I helped create Ascend- it was because I didn't see a way to engage young people. I saw a community on the verge of succession, with my arranger strength, I wanted to create a system to help cultivate proven talent in future leaders.
So perhaps in identifying the five things I want to change I don't have to throw a dart towards the bulls eye of what draws my greatest impassioned response, but really I should look to my strengths and determine where I can utilize these again to empower my community.
One of the main reasons I went back for my MBA was to strengthen business skills that would empower efficiencies in nonprofits. Perhaps there are 5 things I would like to change in nonprofits or the nonprofit community that I think would enable greater service outcomes.
So here's a stab
1) Nonprofit Advocacy
How do we engage the local business community and citizens to make the "for benefit" sector relevant to them?
2) Nonprofit Education
Nonprofits obviously don't operate under traditional corporate culture. The general public should be engaged in how there are differences, and brought in on the conversation of where these must remain to maintain the social sustainable features, and where their talents may be key to taking their services to a new level.
3) Nonprofit Engagement
How do we make it easier for people to align their passions with the services provided in their community? How do we streamline the pipeline for someone to identify where they want to make an impact and how they can do that in a region?
4) Nonprofit Program Efficiency
Nonprofits have focused so much on "The Ask". How it's packaged, how its presented... Dollars are invested with companies that offer services to help them on the development (financial resources) side With increased financial competition, eventually it won't be the request that can be improved, and nonprofits will have no option but to demonstrate how a donor's dollar really does provide a greater ROI, and that means identifiable outcomes and greater program efficiency.
5) Nonprofit Community
Expanding the traditional views of who is my community and engaging collaboration in new creative ways. Many nonprofits are so inwardly focused, or even focused on a specific geographic region. Their lack of expansion or collaboration increase duplication of services, and an even greater strain on limited financial resources. Nonprofits are going to need to know their own game in an even better light... so that they can expand beyond their basic services to meet emerging needs and know what they can bring to the collaboration table. Just as we each serve as an individual pipeline to meet community needs, we'll need to have the vision of a master plumber to know how we can connect to the greater nonprofit community to serve more with less.
Yeah.. I guess that will get me started...
:)
This next week our deliverable is a 5-page paper. We are to discuss five things we would change in the world and why? I had an early sneak peek at the syllabus a couple weeks ago when the professor emailed us a copy, and I've been thinking about it off and on. Nothings really coming to me clearly.... I'm thinking about what peeves me... but a paper on how windshield wipers drag across only a semi wet windshield just doesn't make the cut. I also think about my passions...but right now in my development it feels a bit like nailing jello to the wall. I think about terms or themes that have been behind my passions or even reasons for coming back to school... the word that comes to mind is "empowering".
If I think back about my experience in helping to develop Ascend, the Round Rock Chamber's Young Professional Development Program, I love how what's become of it is a program that engages young people to responsibly engage in the community to move it forward and address current challenges, while the result is young people who are empowered to leave their imprint. Each person in the class has such unique talents and passions. In a way, this class helps me to extend beyond myself to the betterment of my, now friends, and feel committed to their success and rejoice with them when they take a step forward in their personal goals.
So this is the result, but if I'm looking for fodder for my paper, what was the kindling that allowed this program to spark?
In starting the class, we revisited our top 5 strengths as identified in our first leadership class some 18 months ago. My strengths are Positivity, Includer, WOO (Winning Others Over), Arranger, and Communication. In class we discussed each other's growth, but the trait that always seems to be a trend in conversation is the Woo'ers. Some people speak of how they like this trait, some wish they had it, or are just thankful for having friends that have it. Some plainly speak of how they can't stand some people with it. No matter the gamut, my friends in the class have labeled me as the class' WOO poster child.
Some Woo'ers give us the reputation of those kids that ran for class council. Postering their name everywhere and making conversation for the illusion of friends. I think many in the class feel uncomfortable when they are put into a position where they are forced to demonstrate this trait. Some feel overwhelmed in the presence of an unleashed woo'er.
The spring of my WOO well really stems from my other tendencies... I'm an includer. I know what its like to walk into a room of people I don't know and see only the backs of people buried in conversations of comfort. Hospitality was a key value for me growing up, and my positivity wants to ensure that when someone in the room does find themselves alone in a room full of people, that they have an encounter that leaves them feeling welcomed, loved, and empowered, even if I'll never see the person again. Plus, its just easier to make it all about someone else. When my being "friendly" is about how I make someone else feel, its alot easier to "WOO".
ALL this to say... when I helped create Ascend- it was because I didn't see a way to engage young people. I saw a community on the verge of succession, with my arranger strength, I wanted to create a system to help cultivate proven talent in future leaders.
So perhaps in identifying the five things I want to change I don't have to throw a dart towards the bulls eye of what draws my greatest impassioned response, but really I should look to my strengths and determine where I can utilize these again to empower my community.
One of the main reasons I went back for my MBA was to strengthen business skills that would empower efficiencies in nonprofits. Perhaps there are 5 things I would like to change in nonprofits or the nonprofit community that I think would enable greater service outcomes.
So here's a stab
1) Nonprofit Advocacy
How do we engage the local business community and citizens to make the "for benefit" sector relevant to them?
2) Nonprofit Education
Nonprofits obviously don't operate under traditional corporate culture. The general public should be engaged in how there are differences, and brought in on the conversation of where these must remain to maintain the social sustainable features, and where their talents may be key to taking their services to a new level.
3) Nonprofit Engagement
How do we make it easier for people to align their passions with the services provided in their community? How do we streamline the pipeline for someone to identify where they want to make an impact and how they can do that in a region?
4) Nonprofit Program Efficiency
Nonprofits have focused so much on "The Ask". How it's packaged, how its presented... Dollars are invested with companies that offer services to help them on the development (financial resources) side With increased financial competition, eventually it won't be the request that can be improved, and nonprofits will have no option but to demonstrate how a donor's dollar really does provide a greater ROI, and that means identifiable outcomes and greater program efficiency.
5) Nonprofit Community
Expanding the traditional views of who is my community and engaging collaboration in new creative ways. Many nonprofits are so inwardly focused, or even focused on a specific geographic region. Their lack of expansion or collaboration increase duplication of services, and an even greater strain on limited financial resources. Nonprofits are going to need to know their own game in an even better light... so that they can expand beyond their basic services to meet emerging needs and know what they can bring to the collaboration table. Just as we each serve as an individual pipeline to meet community needs, we'll need to have the vision of a master plumber to know how we can connect to the greater nonprofit community to serve more with less.
Yeah.. I guess that will get me started...
:)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Full Circle
Time is absolutely flying when it comes to where we are now in the MBA Program. This week is Spring Break, which would be a little more fun if not accompanied with a 40 hour work week. All the same, the week break from homework is welcomed, and I think I will assume the position of couch potato to celebrate my night not in class.
We're 2/3rds of the way through the 5th semester. Even at that I stumble and still want to write 4th. It's hard to believe 10 weeks has already gone by, and really to me, it has only felt like 4 or 5. Our 10 week class on Business, Society and Public Policy is now concluded. and I have to say I really enjoyed the class. We had the opportunity to draft a Policy Briefing, which I used to help me become more informed on policy currently staring down our STARRY agency when it comes to the State's redesign of the foster care system. We also had the opportunity to either expand this topic into a full blown research paper or to research something new. While it would have been a bit of an easier road to expand on an already put together paper, I wanted to stretch myself and really do some research on a topic I find fascinating. I researched the L3C designation and the possible establishment of a fourth sector, known as for benefit. My references weren't as clean as the briefing, but I gave myself the opportunity to expand my horizon and really learn about something I find interesting. We haven't gotten our grades back, so I'm hopeful this decision doesn't negatively impact my GPA.
Next week we start our third Leadership class. This one focuses on community dynamics and I'm getting a jump start on the reading, and LOVING IT! Maybe tonight, as I "couch potato" my evening, perhaps I can continue through the chapters and that way I can enjoy the class, instead of just trying to make it through the readings.
I think I also see a shift in our Complex Decision Making class. The case studies are coming to a close, and I'm hopeful this means we get a bit of a breather before our final project- a sustainability study! My team is actually focusing on Concordia University, and the Vice Provost took time from his busy schedule to meet with us and share his perspective on the school. He was very engaging, and even offered to meet with us again to help answer additional questions.
As we wrapped up class last week, Dr. Brazier clarified expectations in Semester 6. Its the first time I heard the word Graduation, and I felt an element of reality that the word never carried before. Am I tired of case studies? No doubt. But what will it really be like when I don't have class to look forward to each week? This has been such a fun opportunity to push myself for growth, and dream bigger dreams. I've seen myself in a new light. I've grown confidence and new skill sets. I have some fear and hope these will be sustained beyond this point of graduation.
Its been a long time since I've looked back to some of my earliest posts, but two concepts stand out from the flow of my last paragraph. I remember in my earlier writings trying to identify what I wanted to get out of my MBA- and without an intentional plant, I have just identified those two things as a result of my work here- confidence and new skill sets. Both have come as a result of classroom interactions, a reflection on the quality of students that surround me, projects, group projects, papers, and lots and lots of reading. It's been hard work, but unbelievably I have accomplished the goals I originally set out to do.
Another sign that this journey's almost come full circle...
We're 2/3rds of the way through the 5th semester. Even at that I stumble and still want to write 4th. It's hard to believe 10 weeks has already gone by, and really to me, it has only felt like 4 or 5. Our 10 week class on Business, Society and Public Policy is now concluded. and I have to say I really enjoyed the class. We had the opportunity to draft a Policy Briefing, which I used to help me become more informed on policy currently staring down our STARRY agency when it comes to the State's redesign of the foster care system. We also had the opportunity to either expand this topic into a full blown research paper or to research something new. While it would have been a bit of an easier road to expand on an already put together paper, I wanted to stretch myself and really do some research on a topic I find fascinating. I researched the L3C designation and the possible establishment of a fourth sector, known as for benefit. My references weren't as clean as the briefing, but I gave myself the opportunity to expand my horizon and really learn about something I find interesting. We haven't gotten our grades back, so I'm hopeful this decision doesn't negatively impact my GPA.
Next week we start our third Leadership class. This one focuses on community dynamics and I'm getting a jump start on the reading, and LOVING IT! Maybe tonight, as I "couch potato" my evening, perhaps I can continue through the chapters and that way I can enjoy the class, instead of just trying to make it through the readings.
I think I also see a shift in our Complex Decision Making class. The case studies are coming to a close, and I'm hopeful this means we get a bit of a breather before our final project- a sustainability study! My team is actually focusing on Concordia University, and the Vice Provost took time from his busy schedule to meet with us and share his perspective on the school. He was very engaging, and even offered to meet with us again to help answer additional questions.
As we wrapped up class last week, Dr. Brazier clarified expectations in Semester 6. Its the first time I heard the word Graduation, and I felt an element of reality that the word never carried before. Am I tired of case studies? No doubt. But what will it really be like when I don't have class to look forward to each week? This has been such a fun opportunity to push myself for growth, and dream bigger dreams. I've seen myself in a new light. I've grown confidence and new skill sets. I have some fear and hope these will be sustained beyond this point of graduation.
Its been a long time since I've looked back to some of my earliest posts, but two concepts stand out from the flow of my last paragraph. I remember in my earlier writings trying to identify what I wanted to get out of my MBA- and without an intentional plant, I have just identified those two things as a result of my work here- confidence and new skill sets. Both have come as a result of classroom interactions, a reflection on the quality of students that surround me, projects, group projects, papers, and lots and lots of reading. It's been hard work, but unbelievably I have accomplished the goals I originally set out to do.
Another sign that this journey's almost come full circle...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
This one's for you
A large factor in my decision to go back to school was the experience I saw through my Dad. Back when he was about my age, a college degree was that one step above and beyond. It wasn't expected like it is today. As we all know, the economy tanked about 4 years ago, and about 3 years ago, the home builder my dad served for more than 15 years went under. My Dad found himself unemployed for more than two years, as everyone had moved to electronic applications, and now his lack of a college degree was an immediate barrier in the hiring process. He determined to retool and retrain, and after taking some prerequisite courses, he earned the points and was accepted into Nursing School.
The past two semesters he's shown such commitment. Now in his upper fifties, he has pulled all nighters and studied more intently than I ever have in my entire education. Unfortunately, he's had a few more obstacles than his fellow students in the fact that about 7-8 years ago he began to become a medical mystery. Currently, he struggles with chronic pain, and the stress of school has exacerbated it to such an extent that he can get little relief. On Sunday, he and my mom made the painful decision to withdraw from the nursing program. After several semesters of being able to pull A's and B's in some of education's toughest classes, he just has to stop.
Yesterday, on the day that my dad was withdrawing from classes, I went to the dedication of the area's newest educational institution- South University. My friend, Dr. Marie Neal is the president. State Rep. Larry Gonzales gave the key note and talked about the value of education, what it meant for his family, as his grandparents stressed it's importance after having little education. I found my eyes welling up with tears as the moment set in. My dad and I both had set out on this educational road for the opportunity that the future could bring. Here in this moment of a brand new school's dedication and all the promise it bodes for future students- my dad's dreams were coming to an end.
While not everyone is meant to or is pursuing an MBA or Masters, I think many consider it, or assume it's something they can do... once they get settled in their job... or once the kids are in school... or once the kids are gone. These serve as barriers to many I know. But right now, all I wish is that my dad could have that title, so he could land a job, and as this economy recovers, so could my parents. And in the future, everyone may have an advanced degree. So I'm not promised tomorrow, but I have the opportunity and ability now to invest in that future.
This last semester is for you, Dad.
The past two semesters he's shown such commitment. Now in his upper fifties, he has pulled all nighters and studied more intently than I ever have in my entire education. Unfortunately, he's had a few more obstacles than his fellow students in the fact that about 7-8 years ago he began to become a medical mystery. Currently, he struggles with chronic pain, and the stress of school has exacerbated it to such an extent that he can get little relief. On Sunday, he and my mom made the painful decision to withdraw from the nursing program. After several semesters of being able to pull A's and B's in some of education's toughest classes, he just has to stop.
Yesterday, on the day that my dad was withdrawing from classes, I went to the dedication of the area's newest educational institution- South University. My friend, Dr. Marie Neal is the president. State Rep. Larry Gonzales gave the key note and talked about the value of education, what it meant for his family, as his grandparents stressed it's importance after having little education. I found my eyes welling up with tears as the moment set in. My dad and I both had set out on this educational road for the opportunity that the future could bring. Here in this moment of a brand new school's dedication and all the promise it bodes for future students- my dad's dreams were coming to an end.
While not everyone is meant to or is pursuing an MBA or Masters, I think many consider it, or assume it's something they can do... once they get settled in their job... or once the kids are in school... or once the kids are gone. These serve as barriers to many I know. But right now, all I wish is that my dad could have that title, so he could land a job, and as this economy recovers, so could my parents. And in the future, everyone may have an advanced degree. So I'm not promised tomorrow, but I have the opportunity and ability now to invest in that future.
This last semester is for you, Dad.
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