A Note From Our Director
This column explores the almost "perfect storm" of governance problems challenging our country and the role social workers can and should play - Flint is just the tip of the iceberg. Second, it is an excellent time to gather and collate some suggestions about new directions for the School during a time of executive transition.
Appalling Failure of Governance
As we take a look at the world around us, it seems as if we have our work cut out for us! For me, this means that social workers must take many formal and informal leadership roles, in both nontraditional and traditional areas of practice. In the School of Social Work we so often invoke the mantra, "social justice," the actual involvement in "fixing" some of our glaring governance problems would offer a way to practice what we preach.
The Flint water situation is a disaster. All disasters have precipitating and predisposing causes:
The precipitating cause was the changing of the water supply and failure of several levels of government to do the right thing.
The predisposing cause was old infrastructure that needed to be replaced long ago, which tells another tale.
Similar issues must exist throughout most American towns and cities and we play "kick the can down the road," i.e., pass the responsibility for resolving the problem on to another person, department, or level of governance.
Some other current governance issues which call for problem solvers and policy makers in a leadership role include the existence of a groundwater contamination plume of Dioxin heading toward the Huron River right here in Ann Arbor. Not only does that present a need for "social justice based" implementation of solution, but the country as a whole is rife with other challenges. Look at the road systems and governmental failure to 1] fix them and 2] recognize prior failure of infrastructure maintenance. Similar points might be made about the American bridge system. The Bridge report shares as follows:
Over two hundred million trips are taken daily across deficient bridges in the nation's 102 largest metropolitan regions. In total, one in nine of the nation's bridges are rated as structurally deficient. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that to eliminate the nation's bridge deficient backlog by 2028, we would need to invest $20.5 billion annually, while only $12.8 billion is being spent currently.
Other instances include:
- The electrical grid that Scientific American argues is on the edge of failure.
- The collapse of the educational system (especially for capable but financially challenged individuals, as opposed to those less capable but with more privilege: Affluenza!).
- Nor have I mentioned the bulging prison population.
New School Leadership
These are all troubling issues, but as a School of Social Work we can explore ways to singly and severally continue and increase our work to improve governance and address institutional inequality. We are a leadership school as well.
As we are in the process of welcoming a new Dean this coming year, times of executive transition often open up opportunities for discussion of innovation and invention for organizations. We can take this opportunity to think about some potential emphases and suggest them to the incoming Dean and other school leaders - student, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Director, Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations
Professor of Social Work
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Jump Start Your Career Exploration!
Janice Williams Miller is available for in
dividual and group consultation
around your nontraditional and macro career goals.
Follow this link to sign up for Office Hours.
Looking forward to supporting your Leadership and Career Journey!
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Congratulations to our MSW Students in the Finals of the 2016 Social Impact Challenge!!!
See
Zainab Farhat and
Adrienne Bombelles from team WE-Droit
and
Katherine Eyster from team MC5
present in the Finals on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
Presentations are from 5:00 - 6:30 PM , followed by a reception and the announcement of winners at 7:00 PM.
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Leadership Program Events
Careers in Nontraditional Settings- Networking Workshop
Wednesday, February 10, 12 - 1:30 PM, 3816
Interested in understanding nontraditional settings where social workers can have impact?
Come hear from SSW alumna, Gabrielle D'Angelo about how she uses social work as a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch.
She will provide tips about navigating non-traditional settings and how students can think about communicating their strengths to non-traditional employers.
Lunch will be served.
Experience Detroit: Social Change, Innovation, and the City
When: Saturday, February 13, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Meet at CC Little at 9 am, travel to Detroit, and return to Ann Arbor at 5 pm
Interested in learning more about Detroit? Curious about the role of innovation, entrepreneurship and industry in social change work in Detroit? Join students from across the University as we engage with the city through dialogue with community members and activists, explore city businesses and organizations, eat delicious, locally catered food, and learn more about Detroit.
This trip is free to all U-M students, staff and faculty!
*Note, this trip includes some walking. Please contact
[email protected] with questions about accessibility.
Tips for Applying to Federal Jobs
Wednesday, February 17, 12 - 1 PM, B798
Come learn the best ways about applying for federal jobs and how to increase your changes of getting your application noticed.
Janice Williams Miller, Program on Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations, and Michelle Woods, Director of Career Services, are presenters.
Distinguished Alumni Leadership Talk
Monday, February 22, 12 - 1 PM, 3816
We continue to hear how Social Work is a mobile profession, but what does that mean?
Marvin Parnes
, a distinguished alumnus, will talk with us about the different paths you can take with your social work training that can lead to high-impact leadership roles. Marvin began his career as a clinical social worker and has served as the Associate Vice President of Research for the University of Michigan. He currently is the Managing Director of the University's renowned Institute for Social Research.
Mr. Parnes credits his social work training, especially in group-dynamics and innovation, in his ability to create a shared vision and lead successful organizational change.
Come have lunch and hear how your social work skills can lead you to successful leadership roles!
Navigating Change in the Social Sector Workshop
Monday, March 28, 12 - 1 PM, 3816
As the nonprofit sector changes (social innovation, hybridization, strategic philanthropy, collective impact) we need certain skills to be prepared and successful in this changing environment. Come here from Professor Mat Despard about how social workers can think about these issues and how MSW students can start to think about opportunities and pathways to launch their career.
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Student Leadership Opportunities
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Boost Your Resume - Lead or Co-Lead a Session!
~~Worked on an interesting project at field?
~~ Completed a class project that you'd like to get feedback on?
~~ Came into the SSW with nontraditional or unique experiences you'd like to share?
~~ Attended a conference and you'd like to share resources?
We want to highlight you!
leadership, presentation, and public speaking skills!
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Additional Upcoming Events
Student Facilitation Training Opportunity
Friday, February 12, 12pm-8pm & Saturday, February 13, 9am-5pm
The training is comprised of a 16-hour curriculum designed to prepare participants to facilitate dialogues, meetings, and workshops involving two or more individuals. Participants must attend all sessions of the training.
Apply, participate, and gain invaluable skills throughout the training.
Dinner will be provided on Friday and lunch on Saturday.
#UMBlackout: Mobilizing Black Communities for Radical Transformation in the Digital Age
Thursday, February 11, 2016
8:30AM - 5:00 PM
In honor of Black History Month and co-sponsored by the UM Social Work Community Organization Learning Committee, the #UMBlackout: Mobilizing Black Communities for Radical Transformation in the Digital Age symposium invites your participation in a working session about contemporary black activist leadership for transformative change through digital forums. Through workshops, lectures, and a panel discussion, a wide variety of scholars, campus and grassroots organizers will engage in diverse reflections about the role of the internet in social change efforts through strategic mobilization. Join us in a collective discussion to advance discourse and direct action in community practice in the digital age.
Register Here.
Awakening Compassion: The Surprising Power that Improves Organizations by Elevating their Humanity
Saturday, February 13, 2016
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Colloquium, 6th Floor, Ross Building, Stephen M. Ross School of Business
Professors Jane Dutton and Monica Worline of the Ross School of Business and the Center for Positive Organizations will share a summary of over 15 years of compassion research in a lively, interactive format that will engage you in sharing stories, trying out new techniques, and applying what we've learned about how compassion improves organizations to your specific area of interest. You will walk away with new ideas and new techniques for awakening compassion in your organization, group, or team. Register Here.
Positive Links Speaker Series: Learning From Success
with Ryan Quinn
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Colloquium, 6th Floor, Ross Building
Reception Immediately Following
How do individuals and organizations learn from success? While it sounds easy, it is not. And yet, learning from success is a critical component of what makes organizations positive. University of Louisville College of Business Associate Professor Ryan Quinn explores the opportunities and challenges of this kind of learning. Quinn shares research that helps us see what works and guides the audience with tools designed to facilitate learning from success. By using tools like these, we can create new possibilities for ourselves and our organizations, and never stop getting better. Register Here.
Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
12:00 - 1:30 PM
B780 SSWB
Join this new special interest group at the U-M SSW! This SIG was formed in response to students, faculty, and staff voicing vibrant ideas for making the SSW a more strengths-based, resilient, compassionate, and connected space. A place where we focus on deficits AND strengths; challenging realities AND hope; ideas AND action. Lunch will be provided.
RSVP Here.
Save the date! Community Feedback on the Development of School of Social Work's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
12:00 - 2:00
ECC (1840 SSWB)
The School of Social Work invites students, staff, and faculty to provide feedback on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan that is developed by the DE&I Committee.
Information will be updated as the event nears its date.
RSVP Here.
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5 Must-See TED Talks For Social Workers
Check out this article highlighting five TED talks selected to refocus and invigorate social workers. Topics include:
~The Power of Vulnerability with Bren
é Brown
~Social Workers as Super Heroes with Anna Scheyett
~Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are with Amy Cuddy
~Five Ways to Listen Better with Julian Treasure
~All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes with
Andy Puddicombe
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10 CEOs Share their "killer interview questions"
In this Quarts article, 10 CEOs share the type of questions they ask potential new leaders. These include:
~Would you rather be respected or feared?
~Tell me about when you've failed?
~What's your biggest dream in life?
~What is your favorite property in Monopoly and why?
~Talk to me about when you were about seven or eight; who did you want to be?
In hiring leadership, these CEOs are looking for softer-skills by testing a person's mindset and mentality.
Check out the article to find out more questions and start thinking of your answers.
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Professional Memberships & Networks
Network for Social Work Management
Independent Sector
Young Leaders Society - United Way of Washtenaw
County
Young Nonprofit Professionals of Washtenaw County
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Network with University of Michigan Business Cards
Leave a lasting impression and contact information for that next great opportunity.
U-M students are eligible to receive a
free set of 30 business cards
each semester,
compliments of the Alumni Association.
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Contact Us
| John Tropman, Director |
SSWB 3734 |
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(734) 763.6275 |
| Rachael Wiener |
SSWB 3751 |
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(734) 764.4903 |
| Janice Williams Miller |
SSWB 3751 |
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(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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