A Note From Our Director
In my column on Oct. 19, 2015 I introduced three ideas:
- Accomplishment is a group effort: successful performance in management, leadership and life is more "orchestral" than "solo" and all accomplishment depends on others besides yourself
- We overestimate our own contribution: The perils of egoism and self-crediting flow from the "solo" perspective ("Egocentric Bias in Responsibility Allocation"). The NYTimes Upshot Column illustrates this; it discusses male and female perceptions of helping at home: Men Do More at Home, but Not as Much as They Think
- From Insight to Implementation -Teamwork is vital: In order to succeed together we must actually work together. Insight may be more individual, but implementation requires teamwork
I mentioned one other concept that flows from these -
gratitude to those others who help us. I thought that Thanksgiving was an appropriate time to discuss gratitude.
Gratitude involves two processes:
- Recognition that others do help us in many big and also small ways. This may require thoughtful reflection. The Center for Positive Organizations is providing a venue for this.
Student fellows at the
Center for Positive Organizations invite you to join our weekly mindfulness and gratitude practice. There is no experience necessary. You can drop in on any day and do not have to come regularly. Questions? Contact Kelsea Ballantyne (
[email protected])
When: EVERY Monday 7 - 8 am and Friday 7 - 8 am
Where: The Center for Positive Organizations (across Hill Street in the Ross Annex (914 Hill Street, 3rd floor, through the back entrance)
I am sure one can self-reflect as well, but mindfulness, like exercise, seems to prosper in group settings where the focus of others helps one's own.
For more resources you can visit
Professor Robert Quinn's (Ross) blog
where he regularly discusses issues of gratitude, appreciation, and has some interesting videos. There are also a large number of
YouTube videos on gratitude
.
2.
Following recognition is action -
actually expressing appreciating or gratitude to someone(s) in your context. We are all good at complaining; less so at appreciating.
There are lots of
tips available
for sharing your gratitude
Sometimes insights come from unusual places. Christopher Kimball, Editor of COOK'S Illustrated wrote about Thanksgiving in his recent editorial (November and December, 2015). He is comparing two Vermont towns, Rich Valley and Poor Valley, where he lives:
It's a small town where folks volunteer at the drop of a hat whether it's for the rescue squad, the firehouse, or to run the French fry booth at the annual carnival. .... There is no shortage of feuds, slights and jealousies. And our town is no stranger to tragedy - logging accidents or worse. Some folks have already erected their own tombstones ....
The reason to live in such a town is gratitude ...In rich valley many are proud of their success. In Poor Valley folks are proud of their town.
Analogously, there are Richer Professions. But we are proud of ours and grateful for the opportunity to be of service.
So at this time of year consider providing an "appreciative jolt" to those family members, friends, fellow students and even (gulp) profs for whom we are especially grateful.
Director, Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations
Professor of Social Work
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Still Figuring Out Your Backpack?
As you begin backpacking, take a look at courses we feel would help elevate your leadership and management skills.
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Leadership Program and Career Services Events
Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy - Info Session
Wednesday, November 18, 12 - 1 PM, 2733 SSWB
The
Student Ambassadors Program (SAP) prepares the next generation of social workers to take part in community service and education about political arenas. SAP firmly strives to increase the number of social workers in elected or appointed offices across all levels of government by 2040. This
8-month policy and leadership development program provides students with opportunities to learn more about federal legislative and policy processes, the inner workings of Congress, and public policy.
Each year, SAP prepares a diverse group of 40 social work students from across the country to become ethical leaders, policy analysts, political social workers, community advocates, administrators, or lobbyists by exposing them to members of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, the CRISP, and esteemed social work leaders.
Lunch will be provided.
Board Fellows Forum: Board Governance and Accountability
Wednesday, November 18, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, R0220, Ross School of Business
**Our Director, John Tropman, will be featured on the panel
Join us for the first of the Board Fellows Forums throughout the year as a panel of nonprofit experts discuss board governance accountability. If you are interested in serving on a nonprofit board, this event will shed light on the responsibilities and legal accountability required of board members. Open to the public as well as current participants in the Center's Board Fellowship Program.
CCS Fundraising - Post MSW Job Opportunity Info Session
Thursday, November 19, 5 - 6 PM, B780
**This event is co-sponsored by the Leadership Program and Career Services
CCS is one of the most comprehensive and widely recommended fundraising consulting and management firms in the world. CCS serves over 300 organizations each year and supports fundraising goals in excess of $8 billion.
Ian Swedish, Vice President, Director of Analytics will provide an overview of our firm, discuss full-time opportunities that may be a great fit for social work graduates, and offer a skill-building workshop to support students as they submit job applications.
Scaling Impact: Generating Business Value and Alleviating Poverty
Thursday, November 19, 3:30 - 5 PM, 1840 (ECC)
This talk will provide an overview of the
William Davidson Institute and the Scaling Impact Initiative. The Scaling Impact Initiative focuses on accelerating the development of sustainable and scalable impact enterprises that generate a net positive impact for the base of the pyramid (BoP). The talk will highlight the SII's focus areas and some on-going research projects aimed at providing actionable tools and frameworks to enterprise leaders who wish to scale their organizations' poverty alleviation impacts while also achieving financial sustainability.
Can Social Work Research Impact Policymaking? Reflections on $2.00 a Day
Friday, November 20, 3:30 - 5 PM, 1840 (ECC)
Associate Professor H. Luke Shaefer will present his efforts to engage the policy community in drawing lessons from his new co-authored book, "2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America.
Preparing Your Professional Launch
Wednesday, December 2, 5-6 PM; SSWB 3752
Whether you are preparing to graduate or planning ahead, join Janice Williams Miller as she discusses launching your career as a social work leader.
Philanthropy and Evaluation: A Delicate Dance
Friday, December 4, 12:15 - 1:30 PM, SSWB B780
Philanthropy and evaluation are interwoven in both challenging and complementary ways within the social sector. Understanding, leveraging, and utilizing that relationship will allow both parties a greater opportunity for success. As social workers, we are responsible to our stakeholders as well as our funders to provide effective, efficient, and impact-focused programs and outcomes. Our [panelists, guests, alumni, etc.] know this dance well and will be sharing insights on the balance and their experiences with philanthropic goals and evaluation strategies in their work.
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Student Leadership Opportunities
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Funding Available: Transdiciplinary and Social Justice Programs
The Munger Graduate Residences is looking for students who have innovative program ideas or creations that they would like to bring to fruition at MGR. The funding has recently been increased to help fund innovative ideas.
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Fundraising and Development Opportunity
The Michigan Roundtable is looking for a graduate student to work with their Fund Development Committee to support the launch of their Major Gift campaign.
The Development Director Assistant will provide high-level administrative support to the President and Development Committee and will help support the Development Committee in its role. Core tasks include managing donor information and campaign progress reports, supporting corporate campaign volunteers, and merging and printing appeal letters and proposals.
Click HERE for full position description.
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Authentic Leadership Rediscovered
Is becoming an "authentic leader" just an excuse for practicing a rigid management styel? Bill George, who pioneered the idea, says critics don't understand what really constitutes an authentic leader. "Authenticity has become the gold standard for leadership."
Authentic leaders demonstrate these five qualities:
- Understanding their purpose
- Practicing solid values
- Leading with heart
- Establishing connected relationships
- Demonstrating self-discipline
What other qualities make up an authentic leader and how can you begin to develop them?
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Nonprofits Lag in Innovation, Impact Measurement, and Risk Taking
The Chronicle of Philanthropy posted an article based on the Independent Sectors 'Threads Report.'
Nonprofit leaders must focus more attention on innovation, measuring the impact of their efforts, and creating funding structures that encourage risk taking, according to a new report from Independent Sector.
The report also cites counterproductive competition.
"The sector is territorial," it says. "Sector organizations compete with each other for turf and credit on complex issues that require multiple partners to solve them."
For more information in the Threads Report,
click here
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7 Steps to Boost Your Confidence as a Leader
For many leaders, especially those just starting out, exhibiting confidence and strength in their role as a leader is something they often want to develop:
- Decide if you really want to be a leader
- Make peace with ambiguity in decision making
- Gather a reasonable amount of data
- Accept that you will fail on occasion
- Have fun!
- Once you make a decision, commit
- Demonstrate courage on the outside, even when you don't feel it on the inside
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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: Giving Circle Donation
*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
Innovation in Action
Do you want to go beyond the classroom to make impact? Join the U-M School of Public Health's University-wide competition
Innovation in Action
to create new solutions to real-world Public Health and Education challenges!
Young Leaders Society - CEO Breakfast with Al McWilliams
Friday, November 20, 8 - 9:15 AM, Shinola Ann Arbor
The United Way of Washtenaw County's Young Leaders Society is excited to present our fall CEO/Leadership Breakfast Series - we will be featuring Al McWilliams, CEO at Quack!Media.
AGENDA
8am- Registration, networking, and breakfast
8:30am- CEO Talk with Al McWilliams
9am- Q&A
Impact Investing 101: Education Class (Southfield, MI)
Thursday, Dec. 3, 9 - 11 AM, Two Town Square, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48076
Cost: MNA Members- Free; Non-members - $25
Join Michigan Nonprofit Association and Mission Throttle to learn more about Impact Investing. Traditional forms of capital are gaining in popularity among mission driven organizations and investors as viable sources of funding to create social results, alongside financial returns. Financial powerhouses including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and BlackRock are all involved in social impact investing, as are countless other foundations and individuals. As traditional funding sources decrease, it is incumbent upon nonprofit to find additional revenue sources, and for many organizations, a social impact investment could be the answer. Join Mission Throttle for this two-hour crash course to learn what social impact investing is, how it works and what you need to know to secure an investment. Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
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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 |
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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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