A Note From Our Director
This column has three foci: 1) The Importance of Meetings as a key Managerial and Leadership Tool; 2) Justice in Exchange or Social Exploitation; and 3) "Securing the Job."
The Importance of Meetings as a key Managerial and Leadership Tool
All crafts and professions have tools. Some are used constantly; some only occasionally. All are important, but the frequently used ones deserve special attention. For the manager/leader, the "hammer" is the meeting as this is where a large part of the work occurs. Meetings, for the managerial social worker, are what clinical sessions are for the interpersonal social worker. They are a central tool through which work gets done. The reason for this is that all "work" needs the support and contribution of others. Hence, meetings. Other skills contribute, of course, but when one has a central and commonly used tool it deserves special attention.
One key to an efficient meeting is the Agenda Bell. Meetings can be graphed as a curve of energy over time. It came from research I did in the Meeting Masters Research Project.
They are typically divided into three parts - a get-go part, a heavy work part, and a decompression part. Organize the meeting with an easy item first, followed by more difficult items, with the most difficult items being in the middle (items 4 & 5 in the illustration). After item 5, which is about 2/3 of the way through the allotted time, shift to brainstorming. Brainstorming focuses on items for the next and future meetings, and allows the group to "repair" the divisions caused by decision making (items 3, 4, & 5). Other social activities follow this pattern as well. Working out is a great example -Warm up, Heavy Work, Cool Down.
Justice in the Exchange or Social Exploitation: Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics
In social work we talk a lot about justice. There are many kinds of "justice" and the term is usually loosely defined. Let's just talk about one kind at the moment - justice in exchange. The common nostrum for this kind of justice is "A Fair Day's Wage for a Fair Days Work." In particular, let's focus on drug prices as but one example of greed in the workplace.
 The New York Times recently published an article entitled "2 Valeant Dermatology Drugs Lead Steep Price Increases." The first line is as follows:
"Two drugs sold by Valeant International Pharmaceuticals to treat cancer-related skin conditions increased in price by 1,700% over the last six years." The article goes on to quote dermatologist Dr. Rosenberg, "We're not talking about new drugs.The price increases have been off the charts. None of this makes any sense other than they can get away with it." Shame is apparently in short supply. Drug prices are not typically what comes to mind in conversations about social justice. It is just well to remember that injustice can occur anywhere and everywhere. Even Aristotle talked about it. Click here to read about his opinions on "justice in exchange."
The opposite of Justice in Exchange is Social Exploitation (SE). SE is using your organizational position or power to extract resources from the less powerful. When organizations use their position or power to overcharge or pay less just, as Dr. Rosenberg says, "Because they can." See also "Balancing the Budget through Social Exploitation" by Tropman & Nicklett.
Securing the Job
December is our biggest graduation, and I know that "JOB" is on many graduates' minds. Some of you already have positions and some are still looking. For those in the job seeking category I want to suggest the possibility - if you have not already considered - of government jobs. Jobs with the Federal Government, State Governments, and various Departments and Bureaus, tend to have better pay and benefits than the nonprofit sector, and one can still do "Social Work" (as in the VA, the U.S. Public Health Service, etc). This link gives interesting information on compensation, displayed graphically by numerous variables. Take a look, and Good Luck. Remember also that Janice Williams Miller can help, so do not hesitate to contact her.
Director, Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations
Professor of Social Work
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Today is Giving Tuesday and Giving Blue Day!
If you decide to give, consider this:
You may choose to give with
your time, your expertise, or your donations - however you give, know that your contributions matter!
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Leadership Program and Career Services Events
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.
RSVP Here
CCS Fundraising - Post MSW Job Opportunity Info Session
Thursday, December 9, 4 - 5 PM, B780 - new date
**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 m
anagement firms in the world. CCS serves over 300 organizations each year and supports fundraising goals over $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.
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Student Leadership Opportunities
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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.
**Place your
order by Dec. 15 and they will be available on Jan. 13!
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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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Books Every Social Worker Should Read to Advance Their Career
Have you set your goals to jump-start your career in 2016? Do you want a raise or promotion? Do you want to network more effectively? The Network for Social Management encourages social workers, managers, directors and students of all ages and levels within human services organizations to invest in their professional development and hit the books!
A few titles include:
- Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector
- Facilitative Leadership in Social Work Practice
- An Empowering Approach to Managing Social Service Organizations
- Interprofessional Collaboration in Social Work Practice
- Give and Take
For a full list of titles and descriptions,
click here.
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Cross Sector Collaboration - Necessary for Our Sector
"There is general consensus especially in the non-profit and philanthropic sector that solving societal issues cannot happen within one sector alone," explained Erica Greeley, Vice President of Networks at Independent Sector. "Yet we hear from large and small organizations that we often lack the meaningful relationships necessary to support real progress."
One Tactic? ---->
Communicate the Interdependency of Each Sector
For more information in the Threads Report,
click here
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Never Underestimate This Leadership Quality
We hear a lot these days about the importance of IQ and EQ. Now CQ, or Curiosity Quotient - a
term proposed by journalist Tom Friedman -- is starting to get the recognition it deserves. As Berger notes, "curiosity can inspire leaders to continually seek out the fresh ideas and approaches needed to keep pace with change and stay ahead of competitors."
As a leader, here are three things you need to know about CQ:
- How to identify curiosity in other people
- How to develop curiosity in yourself and others
- The potential pitfalls of curiosity
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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!
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. 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.
Creative Forecasting: Improving the Selection and Rejection of Novel Ideas in Organizations
Monday, Dec. 7, 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Colloquium, 6th Floor, Ross School of Business
Gain inspiring and practical research-based strategies for building organizations that are high performing and bring out the best in people. Join us to
learn from leading
Positive
Organizational scholars. Connect with our community of academics, students, staff, and leaders at our receptions that immediately follow each session. Reception immediately following.
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**Copies of
The Chronicle of Philanthropy are located in John's office (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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