What changes when we stop “using and utilizing volunteers?” Nothing less than greater participation from the whole community, towards actually accomplishing your mission – according to volunteerism consultant, university instructor and former Volunteer Center CEO Lisa Humenik. This one simple change can lead to greater effectiveness for social change groups, and more engagement and fulfillment … Read more
The following is a reprint from a post by Hildy, originally penned back in 2003. It remains one of the most reprinted posts in the whole Creating the Future library. And it feels especially important to re-share now, as we approach the madness that is year-end. The Sound a Thank You Makes It was a crazy … Read more
What IS Creating the Future? In a post 2 weeks ago, we shared our first effort to explain what this effort is about via infographic. And in the comments at that post – as well as at LinkedIn and Facebook – we got lots of great help in making the infographic more clear, so that … Read more
Please note – the updated infographic is at this link here. We are keeping this post as is, so that people can learn from the evolution of our thinking. Seeing a polished product doesn’t teach half as much as seeing the thinking and comments and ideas that have gone into that product! 10-24-12 It is … Read more
(This is part 2 in the continuing story of Creating the Future’s Philanthropy R&D Lab. For Part 1, click on this link.) If you’ve been following our adventures at Creating the Future, you know that a big part of what makes this work effective is back-casting – reverse engineering the future we want for our … Read more
When social change efforts use the word “partner” to describe their funders, saying things like, “We are seeking a partner to help fund this effort,” what does that say about us as organizations? And what does it say about our efforts to create a community that is whole and vibrant and healthy? Words contain so … Read more
Since the post on Turning Donors Into Friends Who Care was featured in Creating the Future’s March newsletter, I’ve been reminded again and again of the message in this video clip. Friendship (and hence FriendRaising) is not about making friends so that they will help us. In our real lives, friendship is not a means … Read more
Reading the definition of governance from dictionary.com, it’s no wonder leaders struggle with effectiveness. Authoritarian control may be what we need from governance in parts of the world that are wildly out of control – the many areas of the world that are ripped apart by violence and instability. But in the vast regions of … Read more
We humans are such funny creatures. It is amazing how often an opportunity is staring us right in the face and we don’t even see it. That’s what happened as I began following up on an action item from Creating the Future’s last board meeting. The board had discussed the need for a recording secretary … Read more
What is the path of your life, that has brought you to the work you do? And what are your dreams for the future of your community? Every time I begin a training or facilitation or even sometimes a keynote address, I ask people to turn to their neighbor and spend a few moments asking … Read more