A Note From Our Director
 Since this will be our last newsletter until fall, I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the July graduates!
You are now UM SSW Graduates, many with Certificates from the Network for Social Work Management, and poised to out-think, out-work and out-lead the competition in order to create High Performing Community Benefit Organizations. Keep in mind, though - and this goes for current students as well - that "thinking like a social worker" has applications way beyond just social work occupations. Our ability to see "People in Context", and to assess the "Impact on People" of policies, procedures and social & cultural structures is useful - indeed vital - in a very broad range of applications.
Hopefully we have helped you to learn to think. But what is "learning to think?" Well, Professor Barry Schwarz of Swarthmore College argues it "...demands a set of cognitive skills - quantitative ability, conceptual flexibility, analytical acumen, (and) expressive clarity." You have acquired many of these skills here at UM-SSW. However he suggests another dimension I think you will also recognize. He adds "But beyond those skills learning how to think requires the development of a set of intellectual virtues that make good students, good professionals, (and) good citizens."
There are 9 facets:
- Wisdom (the master facet, which organizes, synthesizes and applies the others))
- Love of Truth
- Honesty
- Fair Mindedness
- Humility
- Perseverance
- Courage
- Perspective Taking
- Good Listening
Do these sound familiar? They do to me. And you have gained and honed many of these, and you will continue to develop and apply these skills throughout your ongoing work as social work professionals. Apply them for peace, justice, and equality for all. And let me assure you that as you are leaving the school to accept the challenges ahead, we here recognize that we have more work cut out for us too. We need to continue working to improve our curriculum, our co-curricular offerings, and increase ways to stay in touch and provide ongoing services to our graduates. We need to engage in a program of constant improvement, innovation and invention to better serve the students and the populations our students and graduates serve. We wish you all the best as you enter into social work practice!
John Tropman, PhD, MSW
Director, Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations
Professor of Social Work
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Leadership Program and Career Services Events
Look out for Fall events in our upcoming newsletters!
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What You Should Know About Business LeadershipThe Network for Social Work Management constantly has discussion posts on their LinkedIn page that future leaders such as yourself can contribute to and learn from other leaders in the social work community. A recent discussion post highlights what you should know about business leadership and how to be a successful leader. They provide these following tips: 1. Always communicate your business/agency's vision with your team  2. Spot other people's talents 3. Don't be a know-it-all 4. Provide Incentives for good work 5. Do what you can to make yourself approachable for your team 6. Do not lose site of your own morals and values 7. Keep a holistic view of your agency/business Click here for the full article
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What's Your Leadership Outcome?
Do you know why you are in leadership? Have you thought of the outcome of your leadership today? Tomorrow? These two questions are important for any leader to contemplate as they look to impact those they lead. What is it you are attempting to accomplish and why as a leader?
Are you:
Leading to Impress or Leading to Serve?
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Millennials Decide Own Way to Donate
They aren't working in the same way as their parents. They aren't marrying in the same way. And they aren't motivated by their places of work to give to charity or volunteer. That doesn't mean they're more selfish than their parents, according to a new report.
The report, which surveyed more than 2,500 millennial employees and managers in small and large companies, found that 84 percent made charitable donations in 2014.
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It's Time to Stop Differentiating Between Entrepreneurs & Nonprofit Founders
"In my work as CEO and founder of Epic Foundation, a nonprofit startup that focuses on developing innovative ways to impact the lives of children and youth globally, I have met with many social entrepreneurs around the world. The reality on the ground is that we have true innovation and entrepreneurs leading the next generation of nonprofits and social enterprises." Alexandre Mars, CEO/Founder, Epic Foundation
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Professional Memberships & Networks
Network for Social Work Management 
Membership rate: FREE
Member-only benefits:
- Networking opportunities
- International Mentorship Program
- Attend National Conference in 2016, TBA
- Human Services Management Competencies
- Interactive Webinar Series
- Communications
Independent Sector 
Membership rate: $10/year
Member-only benefits:
- Networking opportunities
- Independent Sector Affinity Program
- Attend National Leadership Conference, Embark
- Access to NextGeneration (NGen) online community on LinkedIn
- Public Policy Benefits
- Communications
Young Leaders Society - United Way of Washtenaw County
Join Here
Membership rate: FREE
*Other local chapters available*
Member-only benefits: 
- Volunteer & fundraising opportunities
- Networking & leadership events
- Monthly activities- including service projects, social gatherings, professional development meetings
- Community updates & news
Young Nonprofit Professionals of Washtenaw County
VIew their Facebook Page
*Other local chapters available here*
Membership rate: FREE
Member-only benefits: 
- Connect with other young local leaders
- Share resources & information
- Nationally recognized
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Additional Leadership Events
Wednesday, August 12, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Webinar
Social Media & Nonprofit Advocacy - What Works?
Students: $25 registration fee
Wednesday, August 12, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
U of M- Detroit Center, Orchestra Place, 3663 Woodward Avenue, Suite 150, Detroit, MI 48201
Read More Here American Business Women's Association Presents: The Art of Negotiation
Tuesday, August 18, 2015, 6:00pm
300 S. Maple, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Read More Here
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**Copies of The Chronicle of Philanthropy are located in the outside mailbox on John's door (3734).
**If there are articles from other publications that require a membership fee, please let us know and we can access them for you.
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Contact Us
| John Tropman, Director | SSWB 3734 |
| (734) 763.6275 | | Rachael Wiener | SSWB 3751 |
| (734) 764.4903 | | Janice Williams Miller | SSWB 3751 |
| (734) 763.9211 |
If you would like to submit items for the Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations' Newsletter (events, op-eds, resources, etc.) please email Rachael.
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