LOGBOOK
As Hurricane Earl hurled himself up the Eastern seaboard I asked myself what is prudent preparation? It is wearying to hear and read all the disaster based reporting. Yet (pause) wouldn't it be prudent to do some preparations? Test flashlights, check car fuel, fill containers with water, secure outside loose objects, charge emergency radio and cell phone, etc. Even with the uncertainty of whether or not he would make landfall in Maine, he was packing a powerful wallop of water and wind.
The news also emphasizes nonprofit disaster stories closings, downsizing, limited funding, and the impacts on those depending on services. What did we see coming? Should there have been more prudent preparation for these storms? Most leaders we know lay awake at night, concerned with protecting their organization's integrity and ability to deliver its promise. They manage risk in their sleep. It can be a 24-7 job. And we know of organizations thriving, surpassing their fund-raising goals, gaining support and momentum - weathering the storm just fine!
We offer Paddling the Rapids groups to nonprofit leaders as one way to share strategies for risk management, understand what is prudent preparation for our organizations, consider what is unknown, reflect on leadership sustainability, and recommit to self-care. Consider joining us or inviting others.
Carol
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RESUPPLY
If you have 10 minutes....
Watch this animated presentation of The Empathic Civilization. Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.
Jeremy Rifkin is president of the Foundation on Economic Trends and the author of seventeen bestselling books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, the workforce, society, and the environment.
Rifkin speaks frequently before government, business, and labor and civic forums, and has lectured at hundreds of the world's leading corporations and over 200 universities in some 30 countries over the past three decades. His most recent books include The Hydrogen Economy, The European Dream, The End of Work, The Age of Access, and The Biotech Century.
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Scouting?
For more information
about our services,
to engage in a discussion about managing risk,
to talk with us about professional development opportunities and/or
to schedule a free 30-minute, sample, coaching-session,
click here to email us.
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 Reading the waters
How do leaders prepare for the unknown? While day-to-day operations can consume us, it is also a leader's responsibility to think about the big issues, keep an eye on the horizon, and make plans for the unknown. Listen to what two leaders have to say about preparing for the unknown.
Noelle Merrill, executive director of the Eastern Agency on Aging writes: As the director of an area agency on aging, I find that the unknown is a constant state. It is the aspect of my role that I love the most. Often, I treat old issues as if they are brand new with the hope of finding a different and better resolution. Yes, we have our emergency plan and yes we have our succession plan and have actually tested these to be sure we have our official systems in place. And if all the power went out in Bangor, we could still provide meals to home-bound elderly. On the other hand, how might we attract more seniors to our community cafés or provide meaningful transportation are still unknowns as each generation ages into "senior hood". How will the agency disseminate health reform and other dramatic policy changes to older people so that they are aware of all the implications? I find it very important to ask clients, staff, lots of other people and even my husband for help in trying to find sensible resolutions. We employ regional meetings to help in the work and invite everyone who has an interest in seniors. Of course we invite seniors, but we also put ads in local newspapers. These meetings are probably the "best of the best" unknowns because they can attract friend and foe, and have been worth their weight in gold. And personally, I prepare for each day by running in the early morning and contemplating the known and rejuvenating my energy balance to be ready for the unknown.
Eunice Mommens' work focuses on the unknown as the State Relations Disaster Liaison with the Maine Emergency Management Agency. Here are her thoughts about dealing with the unknown: Many times we find ourselves in positions where we truly don't know what to expect. When we are looked to for advice or help from others, we need to ensure that we can respond in an effective, timely fashion. While it is easy to talk about staying calm and remembering what to do, actually doing that is not always easy. We all remember the instructions from your junior fire-fighter days: stop, drop, and roll? Here is another trick to remember. When you are facing an unknown, remember to ask yourself these 4 questions:
1. What do I know?
2. Who needs to know what I know?
3. Who knows what I need to know?
4. What do I need to get my job done?
Asking these questions does two things. It helps you remain calm, and, once you ask and answer the first question, you will more than likely have identified the answers to the other 3 questions. If you follow through with the other 3 questions you will have a plan in place to get the job done, no matter what that is.
We offer these reflections as inspiration. Let us know how you deal with the unknown.
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Steering the Course
Facilitated peer consultation groups for Executive Directors of nonprofits will be starting in the fall of 2010 in Portland (October 14), Bangor (October 19), the Mid-coast (November 3), and any other area where there are eight leaders enrolled.
Contact us. We would be happy to schedule a conversation to see if this is a good fit for you.
- COST: $750 tuition ($150 deposit holds your place);
- Recommend a colleague who registers and receive a 10% discount ($675)
- Register with a deposit of $150 by September 30th and receive a copy of Switch by Chip Heath and Dan Heath (see review below).
Groups for 2010 will be limited to 8 participants. Reserve your place today!
Here is what executive directors who have taken part in a Paddling group have to say: - There is no reason to assume that you are alone in your position. I gained an awareness of the similar challenges facing all executive directors, even more experienced directors.
- Being involved in a Paddling group is equal to several years worth of an ED's life.
- I always left the sessions "energized" despite a long work day.
- I appreciated the confidential environment [where it] felt safe to share.
Want to know who has participated? Go to our website to see the list of organizations that have supported their executive director's participation.
Want to ask people who have taken part in a Paddling group about their experience? Contact
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Guidebook
We reviewed Switch in our July 8th newsletter and think it is relevant to repeat the information. Receive your copy of this book free, if you register for a Paddling the Rapids group by September 29th. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard is the latest book by Chip and Dan Heath, authors of Made to Stick, the critically acclaimed bestseller. Switch debuted at #1 on both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists. From the Heath brothers website: Growth and change are interlinked. Understanding both phenomena and how they manifest in our organizations helps us to be better stewards of our missions.Switch asks the following question: Why is it so hard to make lasting changes in our companies, in our communities, and in our own lives? The primary obstacle, say the Heaths, is a conflict that's built into our brains. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems-the rational mind and the emotional mind-that compete for control. The rational mind wants a great beach body; the emotional mind wants that Oreo cookie. The rational mind wants to change something at work; the emotional mind loves the comfort of the existing routine. This tension can doom a change effort-but if it is overcome, change can come quickly. Switch has many real-time stories and resources for anyone interested in making change. Read the first chapter . Click here for free resources . Do you have a book to recommend? Tell us.
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Navigation Tool
The Nonprofit Risk Management Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a long history of helping nonprofits cope with uncertainty. The Center has been developing innovative software and online risk management tools for more than a decade. Additional information on their newest resources can be found at www.nonprofitrisk.org under the ONLINE TOOLS TAB or at the Web sites for the new tools: www.MyRiskManagementPolicies.org and www.MyFinancialManagementPlan.org.
Check out the Risk Management Tutorial. We found it was a useful orientation to the subject area. Note that some of the resources have price tags attached.
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Adjust Readjust: The Geography of Balance
WEBINAR - October 5th - 4-5:30 PM
Cost: $15
Summer gives us an opportunity to create some space in our lives. We give ourselves permission to do self-care that is renewing. Have you been wondering how maintain that focus and to create more balance in your life as you move back into the ever busy schedule of your work-life? If the answer is 'yes', join your colleagues for this 90-minute webinar designed to guide you through a process to do just that! Carol Carriuolo and Corda Kinzie will facilitate this lively and valuable session. You will leave with tools, a personal goal, and several strategies for moving toward your preferred future.
Note: Instructions for logging in for the webinar will be provided in your registration confirmation.
Workshop fee: $15 donation
To register download the PDF registration form or go to the website of Syntiro (the hosting organization).
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