In following up on Monday’s post, Nick has just transcribed the book list we generated from our 4 days of planning the Consultants’ Curriculum for the Community-Driven Institute. And so I thought it would be fun to share that list here. For those heading into Summer Reading Season, this list will keep you busy. For … Read more
Last week, something life-changing happened for 10 people who did not expect it. A group of consultants from across the U.S. and Canada gathered for 4 intense days, to develop the Consultants’ Curriculum for the Community-Driven Institute. I will try to describe our time together, knowing that instead I might simply say, “Magic happened.” We … Read more
Well I said in Monday’s Rock Out that I would explain why suddenly I am excited about the Phoenix Mars Mission. And yes, the reason has everything to do with Community Engagement. Let’s start by getting this confession right out in front: There is no less likely candidate for being blown-out-of-the-water engaged with space exploration … Read more
My heart just sank when I saw that the Lodestar Foundation is offering a $250,000 prize for the most worthy collaboration. Yes, it sank. Why does the sector that should know better continue to insist on treating organizational and sector-wide symptoms? If we know that symptoms-based approaches accomplish little more in our communities than sprinkle … Read more
Having founded and retired from the world’s first two Diaper Banks, it is rare for us to have 3 wonderful Diaper Bank things happen, all in one weekend. But being “proud parents,” I must share! First, Friday night, our first-born – the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona – held its annual fundraiser. And while I … Read more
We accomplish what we hold ourselves accountable for. In wrapping up the past week’s rant about the issues related to Donor Accountability, I want to first share what triggered that rant. And then I want to share what we can do to hold ourselves accountable in a way that makes donors happy and, most importantly, … Read more
Is the Donor Accountability movement correct? Should community organizations be aiming their primary accountability squarely at their donors? Having spent the week throwing grenades at that notion, today’s is the last argument I will make before wrapping up this subject tomorrow. (If you have not read the posts leading up to this one, you can … Read more
As I have noted throughout this series, the notion that organizations are primarily accountable to their donors not only misdirects organizational focus, but it is fraught with logic holes large enough to comfortably house a family of four. In my posts today and tomorrow – the last posts before I wrap this up – I … Read more
In this series, I have considered the logic flaws in the argument that organizations should be holding themselves primarily accountable to their donors. So far, I have considered the following questions: 1) Are fully funded / endowed organizations with no donors accountable to no one? 2) Should different levels of giving receive different levels of … Read more
The notion that organizations are primarily accountable to their donors is a dangerous one indeed – dangerous because it misdirects organizational focus, thereby preventing organizations from creating an amazing future for their communities. It is also a notion fraught with logic-leaps. And so, here is Post #3, as I continue to debunk the illogical constructs … Read more