tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78797035335458858142024-03-05T18:27:55.588-08:00Nonprofit Leadership, Organization and DevelopmentProviding direction to leaders and organizations in doing the right thing and pointing the way in responsibly sharing one's time, treasure, and talent to the benefit of othersJim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-64589738829779975412021-03-05T00:08:00.005-08:002021-03-05T00:08:50.529-08:00It's Lonely at the Top<p> Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top”, knew what they were saying.</p><br />Often, leaders are in a position of not being able to openly discuss critical issues, whether they involve privacy, or considering countless intended and unintended consequences of actions that a CEO alone is ultimately responsible for anticipating. There are areas that only executive committees of boards and God can be sought out for help.<br /><br />On an after-Christmas morning, years ago, as I awaited the start of our belated gift exchange – now that all the “kids” were home – I sat on the couch with a load of issues weighing on me heavily. I picked up a book at random, hoping that mindless reading would chase some of these wearisome thoughts from my mind, if only for a few moments. But they hung there, and I closed my eyes not wishing them to betray the level of anguish I felt. As I sat there, not hardly breathing, music began to reach my heart; notes that my daughter had been playing on the piano, but somehow just started to reach me in the midst of this turmoil.<br /><br />The soothing music began to draw the anguish away and the thoughts began evaporating from my mind. My heartbeat, which just moments before had been heavy and obvious, now softened and calmed. A deep breath arose within my chest and exhaled as if the music itself was reaching in and drawing out of me the tension and concerns that were binding me tightly.<br /><br />As the weight rose from me I opened my eyes and watched out our living room window as a beautiful sloop slowly sailed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AwElOZBk5B7wxMmaX0z-Paoqu0jSlbCF48sDNw8yWzVPX717JpogKWgaC4lxvwFyi3jNowaTvBNqQLpTfNv-O5xie7NLtQVhZAsXfo9dgWxWY4ZtdPMIX7ub39coDARcv2kdfOzV0Jo/s1600-h/Sailing1.jpg"></a>across the bay. I recalled a day of sailing in San Diego bay some years ago <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnIQJx4iLvrAENM82ksPdnE7FuslP1Iu0zQhXUcuS5EWF85xU4EoFnPCTV7PTdPWG3W4iHR74fhg69T-ILkAz8Rz7dXALufXFMYrB4SkHpdh_oD9LL7Tmywc1hyv5Uv7d9ASTyTI6nzs/s1600-h/Sailing1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292136281975365474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnIQJx4iLvrAENM82ksPdnE7FuslP1Iu0zQhXUcuS5EWF85xU4EoFnPCTV7PTdPWG3W4iHR74fhg69T-ILkAz8Rz7dXALufXFMYrB4SkHpdh_oD9LL7Tmywc1hyv5Uv7d9ASTyTI6nzs/s200/Sailing1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 163px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 233px;" /></a>and the feeling of being drawn along by the wind and only the slightest movement of the wheel guiding its direction; that effortless pressure to an unseen rudder aided by the invisible force of the wind took us across the bay and out the channel. That day was awesome – and I now felt as though I was out there on that sloop and nothing was holding me back.<br /><br />The last notes dissipated, and another deep breath subsided within me. I asked Molly what that song was. Almost knowing what I was feeling, she silently arose and handed me the paper – an Order of Service from our church – and she pointed to the lines of the hymn:<br /><br /><em>How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear!<br />It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,<br />And drives away his fear.<br />It makes the wounded spirit whole<br />And calms the troubled breast;<br />“Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary, rest.<br /><span style="font-size: 13.6px;">How Sweet the Name, John Newton & Thomas Hastings</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size: 13.6px;"><br /></span></em>Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top”, didn’t know what they were saying, and couldn't see Who was there all along.Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-88004779005160878062021-03-05T00:00:00.002-08:002021-03-05T00:00:26.780-08:00Criticism of Leaders<p> Criticism is likely the most devastating issue facing all leaders (not just the church) . . . and how leaders face criticism will make or break them. Seeing and accepting what we need to change can help us move through it to successfully deal with hidden issues - or what we might be blind to.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pBbW-Jzkcr3TeRzRtNZh9HGtP9-6-J8nDQyrOyBZpzSPSyGyReTN8KFj1WKFBJLd8oh-hDE_XCDNqs6Eox-b3x04ry9CMCKFYV6qmjJJSYzFMY6GuKYcb6sQk5-4FMd1utO8fV2fxQ/s1600/Critic.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pBbW-Jzkcr3TeRzRtNZh9HGtP9-6-J8nDQyrOyBZpzSPSyGyReTN8KFj1WKFBJLd8oh-hDE_XCDNqs6Eox-b3x04ry9CMCKFYV6qmjJJSYzFMY6GuKYcb6sQk5-4FMd1utO8fV2fxQ/s1600/Critic.jpg" /></a></div>Thom Rainer's blog post helps identify critics and our response to them: <br /><span style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></span><span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: blue;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>First, realize that criticism is inevitable. Anyone in a position of leadership will face criticism. Deal with it prayerfully and courageously, but accept it as a part of your leadership that it will never go away . . . </i></span><i style="text-align: justify;">All criticisms sting, at least for most of us. But not all criticisms are bad for us. Indeed, in many cases our leadership and ministry can be more effective if we deal with critics in more redemptive ways. </i></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/09/five-types-of-critics-in-the-church.php">http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/09/five-types-of-critics-in-the-church.php</a>Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-60355664190429127192016-09-17T16:59:00.000-07:002016-09-17T17:57:13.651-07:00Communities of Faith at RiskFaith-based nonprofits and religious orders have reason to be concerned with the outcomes of the coming election. Government agencies at every level are on a path to completely secularize our society and any organization whose services have a basis in faith and promoting spiritual life-change.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCy88fIx520lAqByLV4BVm7yPeYT2mO-jN5rTFWfcCx0_nKFOorASTpIRNWxN3kUz-KctW3-y672wOBTuqk0FDOz8qwTi0zdij8lOsMUFxl6q72ZI5wxM6crbrCoyxFvAwiQpI1_WV4aA/s1600/International-Religious-Freedom.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCy88fIx520lAqByLV4BVm7yPeYT2mO-jN5rTFWfcCx0_nKFOorASTpIRNWxN3kUz-KctW3-y672wOBTuqk0FDOz8qwTi0zdij8lOsMUFxl6q72ZI5wxM6crbrCoyxFvAwiQpI1_WV4aA/s400/International-Religious-Freedom.png" width="400" /></a><br />
Hillary Clinton has stated that religious (i.e. biblical) beliefs that are contrary to modern liberal dogma must be changed. She got strong support for her view this week from a newly released report by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This report attacks religious freedom and declares that religious liberty must be subordinated to civil rights laws. The report is a declaration of war against religious freedom.<br />
<br />
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) report, "Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties," is a shocking example of the war against religious freedom in America. The recently released Commission's report is a shameful anti-American and anti-God document that trashes religious freedom.<br />
<br />
Martin Castro, named USCCR chairman by President Obama in 2011, says that the words "religious freedom" and "religious liberty" have become merely code words for intolerance, Christian supremacy, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and therefore must yield before LGBT anti-discrimination laws. Regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, this report also does not support those people who hold to the religious belief that marriage is reserved to one man and one woman as they provide services such as marriage licenses, photography, cake decorating or flower arranging. (I wonder when we'll see people of other religions face this issue)<br />
<br />
The focus of the "Peaceful Coexistence" report states that granting religious exemptions to nondiscrimination laws "significantly infringes" on the civil rights of those claiming civil rights protections on the basis of "race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, sexual orientation and gender identity." The report calls for laws that eliminate exemptions or accommodation for religious convictions.<br />
<br />
Chairman Castro is out of touch with reality and with our Constitution. He and the other members of the Commission who agree with him want to throw out the First Amendment and trash religious freedom whenever faith and practice collide with an intolerant secular agenda. The report is literally a declaration of war against religious freedom. George Washington said anyone who works against the twin pillars of religion (faith) and morality does not understand the foundations of our Republic.<br />
<br />
I feel that time is limited for faith-based ministries to continue serving as they do now. There have already been HUD supported lawsuits claiming discrimination by those who had voluntarily requested a shelter's religious program, who later chose to stop participating in it but demanding to stay in the shelter. They sued even after the shelter assisted in finding alternative shelter for them. This shelter came very close to losing the case. HUD is using very broad language to define a "residence", thus, trying to force long-term shelters that offer biblical recovery programs to abide by Fair Housing and Employment regulations.<br />
<br />
Another at risk issue is the lawful ability of an organization to fill positions by those of like faith. Imagine being forced to allow an atheist to teach a Christian discipleship course . . . It's already been in the courts!<br />
<br />
Communities and organizations of every faith need to join in supporting one another as we protect the integrity of our programs.Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-102527458761336682014-10-31T11:24:00.000-07:002014-10-31T11:29:39.844-07:00Demonstrating Donor Due Diligence<span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As a major donor to a large nonprofit charity or foundation, what due diligence do you perform to ensure the board leadership is making unbiased decisions as disinterested board members? If your answer is none, you are making poor investment judgments. Just as you would examine an investment prospectus, you should perform similar due diligence ensuring the board director's decisions are being made "at arm’s length." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVsApLLZirDL53v4EkWOa6y1q5_FHMksSubF6j7IBHS_FNMD0RuI4Jfj9_R2VIJ9viBW3IQZFFY9qwSg6GO512yFywmA9P1Atl9z8Sm8dc269Mmjz9TnDl7j0f1IHMSbmLyT6bilhqIk/s1600/istock_nonprofit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVsApLLZirDL53v4EkWOa6y1q5_FHMksSubF6j7IBHS_FNMD0RuI4Jfj9_R2VIJ9viBW3IQZFFY9qwSg6GO512yFywmA9P1Atl9z8Sm8dc269Mmjz9TnDl7j0f1IHMSbmLyT6bilhqIk/s1600/istock_nonprofit.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Especially during an executive search, directors may make decisions based upon their personal bias or connections, not solely on the ability and experience of the candidate who will best bring sustainability and move the organization forward.</span><br />
<br style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" />
<span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As an "investor" in a nonprofit or foundation, ask for search committee and board minutes to examine their hiring policies, process and judgment. If the search committee is limited to too few members, lacks transparency, fails to include major donors, or other directors are told not to refer candidates, I would question the board’s process and lack of policy and transparency. If the evidence indicates any of these issues, at the least I would address these issues with the board - at the most I would immediately remove my investments.</span><br />
<br style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;" />
<span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As representatives of the public, 501(c)(3) corporation directors are ethically and morally bound to leave self-interest at the door, seeking only the interest of the organization, donors and those receiving public benefit. Your investments and your community deserve no less.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4d4f51; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-73445274153072180682014-05-01T16:18:00.002-07:002021-03-04T23:53:59.411-08:00Online Assessment Tools for Identifying Organizational Issues<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nonprofit Leader,</span><br />
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">As an Executive Director I often wanted to know how well my board and staff understood our organization’s mission and vision, and if they were being clarified well enough. I needed to assess the awareness of my board of how critical their understanding our programs and networking was to the organization and to our position in the community. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3yRmG8ujGfZznAeLtlHDHHNbziAGzEboTu4AoyRqov8Yx6b3YJVwBWhu8ZCUS37Gm2xNp452tWs_LJvWFI92HZmcVZOKvqpb0hLDIMQ9pvfCQ01yfsue8DX5TGZjnV_9VY1M3jmHkvU/s1600/congregational+lifecycles.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3yRmG8ujGfZznAeLtlHDHHNbziAGzEboTu4AoyRqov8Yx6b3YJVwBWhu8ZCUS37Gm2xNp452tWs_LJvWFI92HZmcVZOKvqpb0hLDIMQ9pvfCQ01yfsue8DX5TGZjnV_9VY1M3jmHkvU/s1600/congregational+lifecycles.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Each time I looked over an organization’s financials and fundraising, I found areas needing improving, and fundraising issues that the staff and board had not recognized had changed over time. It was that process of discovery and analysis that helped me revitalize several stagnant nonprofits and help them thrive. </span><br />
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was the fresh perspective of an outsider that made the difference. In many cases a consultant is hired to show an organization’s leaders what they have been missing and help them make the right changes. Some of the leadership and/or staff may recognize the issues, but may not be able to be the agents for the needed change. Thus, the third-party consultant is engaged. But how do small, struggling under-funded nonprofits afford the rates for an experienced consultant? They can’t, and so they keep struggling through tough organizational issues, ineffective programs, staff turnover, disconnect with the community, and loss of funding as a result. And what are the options for well-run organizations to take an occasional fresh look at their organizational dynamics and leadership?</span><br />
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It was recognizing these issues that led me to create several online assessment tools that provide the data nonprofits need to get the overall view of their organization and start recognizing the needed changes to make. By limiting travel and time of on-site interviews we reduce the cost and still provide a needed summary analysis to help an organization: 1. understand the stage in their life-cycle, 2. examine Staff-CEO-Board relationships, 3. measure their fundraising effectiveness. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvS1fflS3jv5aeqjbhobUxV4B61b19EGFGpbhf8X3w5xltoxfQIWqmw-2JDlLQUyRFkQ0DSlKxEceT1KzadEk118dhsCxABDujM69R4j082F2-6piM6iFhVlMsJE7qWT3UI9E_PJBcWs/s1600/9a.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvS1fflS3jv5aeqjbhobUxV4B61b19EGFGpbhf8X3w5xltoxfQIWqmw-2JDlLQUyRFkQ0DSlKxEceT1KzadEk118dhsCxABDujM69R4j082F2-6piM6iFhVlMsJE7qWT3UI9E_PJBcWs/s1600/9a.png" width="200" /></a><span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By developing anonymous surveys administered online, I have been able to assist a number of organizations of various age, size and budget. The survey results are graphed for ease of understanding, and a brief, interpretive assessment is provided of potential action steps for further considerations. The next steps are up to your organization’s leadership and funding capabilities. You may decide to engage me or other advisor to help you move forward. In any case, you will have this very important data with which to help change your organization for the better.</span><br />
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I invite you to take a few moments to examine my website and my background, and the four levels of low-cost assessment analysis tools I offer at <a class="pv-contact-info__contact-link link-without-visited-state" href="http://jklewis54.wixsite.com/charisnp" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: var(--font-weight-bold); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">jklewis54.wixsite.com/charisnp</a>. Whether you decide to engage my services beyond the surveys is completely up to you. I am available to you to discuss how these can help your organization and help you lead quality change.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9wLZzqA5dvYXWtNf2f3g4VcPw8eCaHtLyBEP9GgWBpjtvM-_GIU59LYhGFinITwpKP0NCCWOzND0R66JEZhCCl1wPK7nc-7w3_D98tsNN3DnVBypSRYtBFJna9ZJ1b6OmUT-PG4GrZg/s1600/CharisNP_Logo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9wLZzqA5dvYXWtNf2f3g4VcPw8eCaHtLyBEP9GgWBpjtvM-_GIU59LYhGFinITwpKP0NCCWOzND0R66JEZhCCl1wPK7nc-7w3_D98tsNN3DnVBypSRYtBFJna9ZJ1b6OmUT-PG4GrZg/s1600/CharisNP_Logo.jpg" /></a><span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:-19.45pt;margin-top:7.4pt;width:154.7pt;
height:50.9pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\JKLewis\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Serving together,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">James
K. Lewis, <i><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">m.a.,
ccnl, cfre</span></i></span><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><sup><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">®</span></sup></i></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-62878857120699626232014-02-11T21:52:00.001-08:002014-02-11T21:56:48.821-08:00Road to Better Health March 12, 2014<div class="font_8" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear Ministry Leader,</span></div>
<div class="font_8" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As you focus on God's plan and priorities for your life, have you considered how to protect your mind and body so that you can stay happy, healthy and remain in the ministry you love?</span><br />
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #975500; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #975500; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ecclesiastes 12:6 calls the human brain the “Golden Bowl” and instructs us to serve God before it’s “broken.”</b></div>
<div class="font_7" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recently the leader of a national ministry (who also teaches at a nearby Christian university) was terminated from both jobs due to poor judgement and mental confusion caused by "sudden" dementia. </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He and </i></span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">his wife are heartbroken</i> because they intended to stay in ministry together for another 5-10 years. With what we know about neuroscience it’s very likely this devastation was <u style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">avoidable</u> and certainly postponable if together they had make diet and lifestyle changes at least 10 years before the disease was actually noticed.</span></span><br />
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">FACT: Dementia actually starts developing during our 30s and 40s.</b><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Accelerated by inflammatory diets, toxins, trauma, unhealthy lifestyle choices, un-managed stress and genetic factors—</span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unhealthy brains become progressively diminished by Dementia</span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Just as concerning, however, are projections that the number of people with </span><b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Alzheimer's will </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">triple </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in the next few decades</span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></b></div>
<div class="font_7" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Narramore Institute appreciates your ministry and cares deeply about your health, your happiness and your longevity of service. That’s why I created the </span><a href="http://narramoreinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Road-to-Better-Health-2014-Final.pdf" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><b style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Road to Better Health 2014</b></a><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #3f691e; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">luncheon for RM leaders on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_787384069" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;">March 12th</span></span> in Pasadena.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">You’re going to </span><u style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">love</u><span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue;"> this event because the content is so relevant:</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: Wingdings; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">L</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">IVE </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">B</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ETTER AND </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">L</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ONGER</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #644600; font-family: Wingdings; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">VOID </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">L</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">EADER </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">DERAILMENT</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #66b132; font-family: Wingdings; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">E</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NJOY </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">M</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ORE </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">P</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">EACE OF </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">M</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">IND</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #ca7107; font-family: Wingdings; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">S</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">AVE </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Y</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">OUR </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #002d99; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BRAIN</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve invited Christian psychologist and author Dr. Earl Henslin </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(“Brain on Joy”) </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to share the latest and best ways to deal with depression, anger and other damaging emotions. A friend and mentor to many Christian leaders, Earl is passionate about harmonizing the brain with the soul.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue;">Then, I’ll be discussing the myriad of health benefits that occur when you lower chronic inflammation. In fact, you learn the secret to reducing your risk for sudden heart attack death by up to 90%.</span></div>
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">FACT: Every 34 seconds an American has a coronary event.</b><br />
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #a40800; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">1/3 to 1/2 of heart attacks occur in persons with "normal" cholesterol.</b><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Our last speaker is veteran Rescue Mission executive Rev. Jim Lewis. Whether it’s waking up in the middle of the night wondering how to meet this week’s bills, a concern about the welfare of a troubled staff member or a family concern, Jim will share some invaluable insights on </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">managing daily stress and avoiding derailment</span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br />
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #0042aa; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #0042aa; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know how hard you work and the sacrifices you make every day to save others. So please join us on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_787384070" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: -2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline; z-index: -1;">March 12, 2014</span></span> for a wonderful time of fellowship, renewal, to hear Christian speakers while enjoying a healthy and delicious lunch.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px;">See you in beautiful Pasadena!</span></div>
<div class="font_7" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #031f67; font-family: ChalkboardSE; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kevin Narramore, Ph.D.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_7" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #062134; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #001f67; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Narramore Institute, 844 Colorado Blvd. Suite 202 Los Angeles, California 90041 <a href="tel:949-874-8000" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" value="+19498748000">949-874-8000</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001445; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001445; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Please </b></span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/road-to-better-health-2014-tickets-10206900113" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #1155cc; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #001445; font-family: HelveticaNeue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to register because <u style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">space is limited</u>.</b> </span></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-80657596212890138722013-09-19T12:05:00.000-07:002013-09-19T12:05:00.585-07:00Assessing Proper Board Oversight Limits Culpability<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://non-profit-management-dr-fram.com/2013/09/15/a-nonprofit-boards-most-important-job/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">This article by Eugene Fram, author of "Policy vs. Paper Clips"</span></a> is a good overview of critical board roles in providing due diligence. Too many nonprofit boards don’t realize their culpability for CEO performance. Appropriate oversight will provide for proper monitoring and fully understanding organizational issues.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m9afeHO9Cda85E0Q6qTxJLtlKiFDDMrW5a8pp_kpkOiclFWqiNUK_PzUrtjLzG1VzU9Ps5nbiJyBKSq-zFCZjBOZmUI6mNPhlQcGdR8XB3vD0lxjaRyLi0Aw4_wvAR2Ku3VZFNRKJm0/s1600/what-ceo-must-do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m9afeHO9Cda85E0Q6qTxJLtlKiFDDMrW5a8pp_kpkOiclFWqiNUK_PzUrtjLzG1VzU9Ps5nbiJyBKSq-zFCZjBOZmUI6mNPhlQcGdR8XB3vD0lxjaRyLi0Aw4_wvAR2Ku3VZFNRKJm0/s200/what-ceo-must-do.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
The board must recognize their responsibility as an independent arbiter of facts, without prejudice. It may be that the board's monitoring of the CEO is minimal or non-existent, which puts a level of onus on the board for an escalating issue. Sitting down with the CEO to gain insight and discover what support he or she needs should be the first step when any issue is brought to the board's attention.<br />
<br />
Your board and your community (which you represent) are too deeply invested to allow for a lack of proper oversight sidelining your CEO – and potentially your organization’s mission and vision. Remember, your role with the CEO is a partnership!<br />
<br />
As a nonprofit consultant, I'm particularly cognizant of the issues raised by this article. I've heard that among the membership of just one national nonprofit association, in the last year there have been about 12 member organizations that have gone through tumultuous leadership shifts, with this being the primary issue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cOP04CREMk2zJgA_v6fa6yyOt1Gbmzz3e8zt6TBH8oV8BXbkK3WzF9bZCcBVSAIPsJboFia-_mjNAFnxxX1PdgcgxduzWHLI_9TqM0vfFxheeD8lXcnP0Abvewm55YY2_v9xtDYi9qA/s1600/Boardroom_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cOP04CREMk2zJgA_v6fa6yyOt1Gbmzz3e8zt6TBH8oV8BXbkK3WzF9bZCcBVSAIPsJboFia-_mjNAFnxxX1PdgcgxduzWHLI_9TqM0vfFxheeD8lXcnP0Abvewm55YY2_v9xtDYi9qA/s200/Boardroom_small.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
While the board must step in when appropriate, there must be policy and procedure in place that is closely followed. Only when serious ethical or fiduciary malfeasance is found should a board step in directly.<br />
<br />
Developing, protecting, and reconciling the relationship with their sole employee, the CEO, is their primary job.<br />
<br />
In light of these concerns, one of the first assessments I recommend is a board survey to highlight any governance and policy issues or disconnect with the CEO. In a majority of my cases so far there have been indicators of a need for board/CEO training in monitoring and policy creation. Every effort at deepening the relationship and trust with your CEO will pay dividends.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-78657860227823351822013-08-26T13:59:00.003-07:002013-08-26T17:05:52.244-07:00When do you need a consultant?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lSGZlCSkpm063oHIjMVGtl-HHjgK82MWB5a7RfWptNro1Ok9Dl0A6lT5R4RxRgqaeRJJlVhTwIM_JGAW0ygAritPSTDA4WIrKILgqQd3XiwXBMpE4z6CjK75ayxpPCb-lLJ_PXGhrOk/s1600/help.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lSGZlCSkpm063oHIjMVGtl-HHjgK82MWB5a7RfWptNro1Ok9Dl0A6lT5R4RxRgqaeRJJlVhTwIM_JGAW0ygAritPSTDA4WIrKILgqQd3XiwXBMpE4z6CjK75ayxpPCb-lLJ_PXGhrOk/s200/help.gif" width="200" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Numerous issues in a nonprofit organization rise to the occasion of requiring paid
outside assistance. These involve acknowledging you’re facing something larger
than your in-house skill set can handle alone. Accepting that help is needed
is the first step in any weakness or dysfunctional behavior – whether of a
person or an organization.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Sometimes a struggling organization just needs help transitioning to its next stage of growth. Perhaps a well established organization needs help re-inventing itself. Facing reality is the most difficult when leaders and staff are deeply ingrained in the present organizational culture. It becomes even harder if the leader is a
founder or long-term CEO, where he or she may be sensing a loss of control or that
recent changes are becoming overwhelming. A lack of positive organizational
dynamics keeps many dysfunctions hidden, and people are unwilling to be the one vulnerable enough to upset the apple cart.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Consulting with outside professionals isn’t limited to the need of
addressing serious issues . . . most leaders could use regular coaching with
peers and/or professional consultants. But some circumstances call for more serious
consideration for outside help:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Strategic Planning. This process can require an anonymity that an independent
consultant allows. Often I’ve found a key staff or board member who admits to
not being sure of the direction or even of the organization’s mission and
vision. In one case it was found that a
new board member wasn’t aware of the organization’s religious core principles
of faith. Appropriately laying the foundation before discussing strategy is critical to success. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEyWBL40BARBsLH0SHoF284WyvYK2lplYJRSgIXoB_zLlYWMewmXvHAS3sgWGV227hewlDhGb6iNzTd_rS_sWC9yUhi9kuFeO2M8n4fdKShuNFMOg5YZSxzLAoCsQ_LiG7B4F0sGLxGM/s1600/consulting_concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEyWBL40BARBsLH0SHoF284WyvYK2lplYJRSgIXoB_zLlYWMewmXvHAS3sgWGV227hewlDhGb6iNzTd_rS_sWC9yUhi9kuFeO2M8n4fdKShuNFMOg5YZSxzLAoCsQ_LiG7B4F0sGLxGM/s320/consulting_concept.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Analyzing fundraising effectiveness. In such a volatile economic
landscape, it can become comfortable for an organization to stay the course with tired or
limited funding appeals and stale communications. Organizations tend to stay
with old metrics and “shot-gunning” rather than using new tools to target a segment of their donor
base who are more likely to respond to different types of communications. E-commerce
is still only effective in a small portion of demographics, and it is key to
understand when and how to phase that in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Closely aligned with fundraising is an understanding of an organization’s
publics – those who can control or limit an organization’s ability to
flourish. Many times an organization has “blinders” and they are not aware
that they’ve grown myopic in their programs and vision. I’ve seen organizations
atrophy due to ignoring the reality of their external context and
relationships. This is where familiarity
breeds contempt; stakeholders who once supported and helped form the
organization can, if ignored or taken for granted, become the worse critics. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
A most serious issue that desperately demands immediate assistance is internal
organizational conflict due to a lack of unity in mission and vision. It's
critical to quickly re-establish clarity of mission and unity between the leaders and
the staff or board. This requires outside intervention. But choose the
consultant carefully, as this requires a professional who is able to decipher
the organization’s deeper cultural and personal issues – not merely personnel or HR issues that are on the surface. The former is ripe with personality clashes and broken trust, while
the latter involves organization policy and procedure – which may need
addressing, but is not the root cause.<br />
<br />
I will mention briefly the need for a consultant and/or interim management through a period of crisis leadership change. Addressing this will require a separate blog, but it's most critical to contract with outside assistance rather than use internal staff in such a case.<br />
<br />
These are just a few areas of concern where an independent third party will be able to increase awareness, broker unity, and ensure the stability and
sustaining of the organization’s mission. Don’t wait until you realize the need
– develop relationships with those you trust and who will be ready and willing
to intercede within your organization when needed. While these resources may be
costly, you will save time and money with the judicious use of consultants.
They will be worth it to the organization, as you will gain much more than you
spend. They may be reported as an expense, but they are an asset to any
organization.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucsvFaE3UnMunI64gTiww8Orm-9ErbbInrc8BtVqcFwEW9C9QCuu0Gy_7iW37ZDObuLDFJHaumGcD7vWW59Yz1gJkwe8r3WWhfKtGO-938YEOGkhgA0IO8VXW26A9z-rGcq4TTklCI8A/s1600/dilbert-and-strategy-consultants.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucsvFaE3UnMunI64gTiww8Orm-9ErbbInrc8BtVqcFwEW9C9QCuu0Gy_7iW37ZDObuLDFJHaumGcD7vWW59Yz1gJkwe8r3WWhfKtGO-938YEOGkhgA0IO8VXW26A9z-rGcq4TTklCI8A/s400/dilbert-and-strategy-consultants.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
For more information on choosing Consultants:<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://strengtheningnonprofits.org/resources/guidebooks/Working_with_Consultants.pdf">http://strengtheningnonprofits.org/resources/guidebooks/Working_with_Consultants.pdf</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.first5la.org/files/Nonprofit%20Consultants-How%20to_Buttenheim.pdf">http://www.first5la.org/files/Nonprofit%20Consultants-How%20to_Buttenheim.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://charisnp.com/">http://charisnp.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.artiosinstitute.com/">http://www.artiosinstitute.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.theedgegroup.org/">http://www.theedgegroup.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-8801615918090028162013-07-19T23:42:00.000-07:002013-07-19T23:42:15.270-07:00Rights of the Individual vs CommunityIn light of recent conversations related to various rights being questioned as being in the community's best interest, I will make a brief comment on the veracity of the individual over the community. Dietrich Bonhoeffer brings critical thinking forward for us today. Claiming one's rights is counter to the self-renunciation we find in the Sermon on the Mount (Discipleship) . . . but we are to fight for the rights of others (Ethics), which – rather than renunciation – is a form of transforming initiative. I think that's what America's founders had in mind with the Bill of Rights as they set forth protection from an oppressive government – in order to provide for free personal and corporate (community) responsibility. That individuals would act with respect toward the benefit of community was part of their ethic . . . an ethic which has been tempered in our post-modernism. (I will preemptively add here related to the slavery issue: some Founders were proactive for the inclusion of extending rights to all, while others surmised that it would cease of its own accord given time and economics). The question remains for us: how to balance the rights of the individual and community. Bonhoeffer’s writings may provide some clues. From “Life Together” to “Letters and Papers from Prison” we glimpse the possibilities of community.Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-49344396330312520682013-05-24T15:00:00.003-07:002013-05-24T15:00:43.790-07:00The Sales Pitch<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[One of our speaking modules from 1990]: Years ago friends of ours were lured to a sales presentation
by the guarantee of winning a prize; either a microwave (that's what they
wanted), T.V., refrigerator, etc. You've heard of those before.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If they bought a life-time supply, $2500 worth of soap – that
would clean everything from the car to the dog – they would also get the prizes
free. What a sales pitch! Someone went to great lengths to sell soap.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 1978 after we were married my wife and I read <u>Shadow
of the Almighty</u> by Elizabeth Elliot. You may know of it – the story of her
husband, Jim Elliot, and four other men who were speared to death by the
"Auca" Indians in Ecuador. They were martyred in 1956 while trying to
take the Gospel to this unreached group. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaqqeOH6rU1-oF0ppXG7zNr5a-k43uTjggsmVyE1xkhlTwVgTpQXllfm63xZTZmnOWTcH9ScEogx-SgAB54oxJcduIMUocrU5v0DWhupx8vgSdv9yCsNYWdeSjyIVsAZX_TX6ObgUSao/s1600/MAF3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaqqeOH6rU1-oF0ppXG7zNr5a-k43uTjggsmVyE1xkhlTwVgTpQXllfm63xZTZmnOWTcH9ScEogx-SgAB54oxJcduIMUocrU5v0DWhupx8vgSdv9yCsNYWdeSjyIVsAZX_TX6ObgUSao/s320/MAF3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual reassembled remains of Nate Saint's Piper on <br />display at MAF's headquarters in Nampa, ID</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story has been the initial motivation for thousands of
people over the years to get involved in missionary service. And so it was with
us. The death of committed missionaries led to our choice of a mid-life career
change with Wycliffe Bible Translators.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later, while attending a class at Wycliffe's support center
in North Carolina, we all shared about how we were led into missions work. All
ten of us had read <u>Shadow of the Almighty</u>. No promise of a washer, dryer
or microwave . . . nothing to keep the dog clean. But we wanted to be involved
in giving the Word of God, whose message received in faith, will cleanse the
souls of those who have, as yet, never heard that Christ died for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's how we were introduced to missions. We didn't know
what that commitment would lead to, but we made it. If we'd known what we would
go through later, I hope we would have had the fortitude to stay with it.<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2013: Well, we did stick through it and continued to serve - and have since in various ministries. Now I found myself back at the origin of our missionary quest. As I arrived for an interview at MAF's headquarters today, I came face to face with an element of that story of 1978 when we read that book, and others since. What an emotional moment as I stood in front of what has been for thousands a call to give our lives in Kingdom service. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-63618541699647064762013-05-15T17:54:00.001-07:002013-05-15T17:54:42.072-07:00Mailbox Missionaries<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Overhearing a conversation between my wife and me about bills and our
limited funds, our 9 year-old daughter piped up, “Maybe there will be a check
in the mail today for $200!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
In 1989, after being accepted as approved missionary candidates with
Wycliffe Bible Translators, it was recommended that I get further training in
avionics and acquire my FAA General Airframe Mechanic certification in order to
better serve in Communications – my technical support missionary position would
require installation of radio equipment and antennas on aircraft. Having
recently left my position with Eastman Kodak as a Field Engineer – and its
relatively secure salary and benefits – our family of 6 was residing in East
Tennessee while I attended Moody Aviation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
But while we were only approved candidates, we could not raise
financial support through Wycliffe until this course was completed and we were
ready to continue our Wycliffe training. So, we had written our friends,
explaining to them our quest toward missionary service, and left it to the
leading of the Lord through them for our personal support . . . we were now
“Mailbox Missionaries.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGNSv-pqdXaHZuW3QbutbxcYmRTNet37LMUBiRttpWzBbrsSltB65YoYQp7PXyZqRVy3mKE-arbSv5sF0OC9szt0FN4vqmL2fmPWpS2WcbgmnSMQBcTgQ7d9Q9nPAicaVI5WGZarwaLk/s1600/MAIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGNSv-pqdXaHZuW3QbutbxcYmRTNet37LMUBiRttpWzBbrsSltB65YoYQp7PXyZqRVy3mKE-arbSv5sF0OC9szt0FN4vqmL2fmPWpS2WcbgmnSMQBcTgQ7d9Q9nPAicaVI5WGZarwaLk/s200/MAIL.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Later that day the mail was opened and there was, indeed, a check for
$200; the faith of a little girl and her family was fulfilled and strengthened.
Through these vignettes of God working through His people, we were able to
trust that our support would be realized and His work would go on as an
extension of those who supported and prayed for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Such is the plight of para-church ministries and nonprofit charities
that do not receive government funding, but rely primarily upon the generosity
of donors in order to provide critical relief and services to the remote,
disadvantaged, victimized, homeless, poor and needy. This work is only possible
through the partnership of others who sense the call to reach out and fulfill
the command of God to treat these people as we would the Lord Himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Many bemoan the numerous pieces of mail that tend to flood our
mailboxes. But I realize that educating the public on services ministries provide
and the opportunity for changed lives is often the only way the average person
will know of that work. Many times I’ve heard donors make the comment, “I
didn’t realize you did all this”; and this from those who have been supporting the
organization for years!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Public concern for the percentage of donated funds used for
solicitation is warranted. Interested donors can check out charities on
websites such as Guidestar.org and review nonprofits’ 990 reports. If a 990 is
not available, it is often an indication that the charity is reportedly
operating as a church, and therefore not required to file a 990. Donors should
carefully consider religious charities transparency in reporting information
such as program, administration, and fundraising ratios as good stewardship of
their giving.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya6qSmbTnz2qqAl9L6q_RdRiHSJy_syW1UGASqaLF80mNUMMldvQ1ub0xYXZ7KvoEBkajrvBFRpLh3UJfAXE4WEzVYebgdTv5vSKi6zAM6Qu9CcDZ1TBDqWkfe42HWMdH3e-6IoqoMFc/s1600/Mailboxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya6qSmbTnz2qqAl9L6q_RdRiHSJy_syW1UGASqaLF80mNUMMldvQ1ub0xYXZ7KvoEBkajrvBFRpLh3UJfAXE4WEzVYebgdTv5vSKi6zAM6Qu9CcDZ1TBDqWkfe42HWMdH3e-6IoqoMFc/s200/Mailboxes.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
However, the mechanics of fundraising and accountability should not be
allowed to overshadow the ministry accomplished by small charities that exist
primarily as “Mailbox Missionaries.” The response envelopes that come in the mail
each day are the lifeblood of critical services and can often limit the ability
to sustain ministry. When you consider supporting a ministry beyond your normal
church tithe, consider if that organization is utilizing every inch of its
facilities, every donated penny, and every offered prayer for the service of
others and to the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
And the next time you see that envelop in your mailbox, remember a
little girl and a young missionary family whose faith was answered through
someone responding to a need. The possibilities that your support provides
toward the faith of the organization and those individuals and families that
benefit are endless. Your investment is an extension of the church’s
responsibility to reach out to a needy world – and often, it is through a
response to a piece of mail. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-64087109926619494612013-05-14T22:43:00.000-07:002013-05-23T20:33:08.636-07:00"We CAN do what we do without you, However . . ." <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As a ministry leader and fundraiser I have to confess that I have disliked the phrase from the first time
I heard it . . .<i>“We can't do what we do without you.”</i> The misguided mantra we use in an effort to convince our donors and volunteers how valuable they are to the ministry.<br />
<br />
After over a decade of feeling this way, my perspective was finally confirmed by my good friend Doug Shaw in his recently
released book, “The Rules of Fundraising.” Doug’s Rule #9 states: You don't have to lie to raise money [or get
people to volunteer].<sup>1</sup> This admonition
is included with a few of the “little white lies” we advance, along with overstating
the impact of our organization. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4tUEeyB_ceBE4Cu9c7zW62kUcPLrNGz2DfAAYdWTjpPcWyTSY7KI0fFViqdBQ0jtSg1YRVLF324kq-Va0RThRGhhR1N3dtF8Xzvi_9GlJy_A_LW1FN98v3Gi1Ike79yPrMoDccPZMH4/s1600/Volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4tUEeyB_ceBE4Cu9c7zW62kUcPLrNGz2DfAAYdWTjpPcWyTSY7KI0fFViqdBQ0jtSg1YRVLF324kq-Va0RThRGhhR1N3dtF8Xzvi_9GlJy_A_LW1FN98v3Gi1Ike79yPrMoDccPZMH4/s320/Volunteers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Now don’t get me wrong – what ministry partners do and give is no less than
critical to a successful and effective ministry. But to make such an overstatement robs the glory
from the true origin of all our available resources and abilities to serve people in
need . . . that of our heavenly Provider.<br />
<br />
God is the true owner and provider of all that we have – and all that the
donor and volunteer share with us. Those
who share are merely His chosen stewards of what is His. I actually verbalized this a few times when
thanking those who served my ministry by saying that while we could still do most
our work without their involvement, their participation made it so much more
meaningful and less challenging . . . and our success wouldn't be such a blessing if
we weren't sharing it with them. I
wondered though, if that resonated as much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
If what I feel is right, in what way can we make our gratitude known to
those who invest their time, treasure, and talents in the ministry? We can appreciate them and their investment by
acknowledging that they empower us to serve in a manner that is enhanced and
more effective – and which pleases our Lord. I feel the more important idea to convey is
the vital impact our partners bring to the table through their efforts.<br />
<br />
Their involvement has a direct bearing on the
breadth and depth of the ministry to, and the life-change produced in, those we
serve. That impact is the mantra we
should voice – and not understate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup>1 </sup>Douglas K. Shaw, <i>The
Rules of Fundraising</i>, Naperville: DSA, 2013, pg 58, brackets mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-3809143912356250872013-05-10T20:46:00.000-07:002013-05-10T21:01:11.471-07:00Some good quotes for me to embrace today:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cseXvfL6MCVS2V3bNSwVHAD_46QXEsSYQ-JWdZDJwYj1WmE01lTgnM7dQoWg6t6HOg44qUB8TM0l0tnyz163qjmpCvAEpImFNLlfJuwUsMkQ_RhGMhoDXOoJyMQufNiHZclG6bHcZ8g/s1600/Destiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cseXvfL6MCVS2V3bNSwVHAD_46QXEsSYQ-JWdZDJwYj1WmE01lTgnM7dQoWg6t6HOg44qUB8TM0l0tnyz163qjmpCvAEpImFNLlfJuwUsMkQ_RhGMhoDXOoJyMQufNiHZclG6bHcZ8g/s200/Destiny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Push aside the expectations of others and instead focus on the appreciation of what you've accomplished. If you believe in it, then that's all the truly matters. - unknown<br />
<br />
Don't judge me on the basis of what you heard from others. Judge me on the basis of what YOU know about me, or else try knowing me. - Ashish Basumatary<br />
<br />
There's people that are just in awe of what you do, and then there are people who just think it's garbage. And I think there are people who are just uncomfortable seeing someone have fun with their job.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> - Todd Barry <br />
<br />
With fame, you can't trust everybody. You can't depend on them being there for you as a person. They will only be there because of what you've got and what you can bring to their life. It's not a relationship - it's a leech. - Chris Brown<br />
<br />
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Howard Cosell<br />
<br />
Believe half of what you see and only some of what you hear, unless you hear it from me. - Chris Daughtry<br />
<br />
Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't. - Steve Maraboli<br />
<br />
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . ."Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-44096230372700758022013-04-25T11:39:00.001-07:002013-04-25T11:45:06.579-07:00Community Renewal as Incarnational Mission<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Missonal, Incarnational, and Stewardship are terms that are too easily
tossed about these days. In order for the people of God to bring about flourishing
in our communities we need real definitions and concrete manifestations, rather
than vague illusions of what they mean. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4buRJjskuxS_WJC68xVY7AREarCFgPC-hd9XjlTdn7tLHgdM80g1qMEBeO-MbaUWkIb4krQ9rw3bhvSoPgK3YG8SmMin8JusXVXTafJpuNDHOL9ibOzdKtX3arksULaZ_lrd8sEMZF2w/s1600/CLAMission1972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4buRJjskuxS_WJC68xVY7AREarCFgPC-hd9XjlTdn7tLHgdM80g1qMEBeO-MbaUWkIb4krQ9rw3bhvSoPgK3YG8SmMin8JusXVXTafJpuNDHOL9ibOzdKtX3arksULaZ_lrd8sEMZF2w/s200/CLAMission1972.jpg" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urban Homeless Shelter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I believe to be, or take part in something missional is to become part
of what we recognize God is already doing in the community (<i>missio Dei</i>). This requires examination
of the sociological, historical, and political conditions in which the Church—and
our ministry—must become the visible expression of God to the world. When these
realities are properly merged we see truly incarnational mission at work – through
which we become stewards of God’s grace, justice, and resources of the Kingdom.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
An incarnational mission involves our “real and abiding presence” in
the community that bears fruit for both the local church and the urban
environment. One cannot become part of the organism of community unless he or
she becomes intimate with its “cultural rhythms, life, and geography” (2003a,
39); as Ronald Sider shares, “Holistic ministry is incarnational ministry . . .
it’s God fleshing out the truth of the Gospel.” It is not only helping others
in the community, but inspiring the church member and stretching themselves outside
their traditional sphere of influence (2002, 27). Are we bold enough to commit
to an incarnational model as sufficient to match the changes in culture and
polity we face in this new millennium?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
When efforts are not incarnational, little of lasting note gets done –
this can lead to negative issues . . . and those seeing themselves in the
“crosshairs” of perceived do-gooders begin to see themselves as “targets”
rather than in community (2003b, 108). Becoming part of our community
through assimilating its culture and recognizing context takes time and effort, which is
necessary in order to build a missional bridge of any permanence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zsilg5vahJAaeH3MOgHozZ8t7REvoS0_FXqXdI2-tu9ex-c6Py4B53Td3rB9XhYNbLUS5nWCFofFpRE5a1LQ5WXHb47OneROFLT7MjFhb4QDFzaRo2ot_msk8tnGS0tP2NuNjNlWH6g/s1600/Rescuethechildren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zsilg5vahJAaeH3MOgHozZ8t7REvoS0_FXqXdI2-tu9ex-c6Py4B53Td3rB9XhYNbLUS5nWCFofFpRE5a1LQ5WXHb47OneROFLT7MjFhb4QDFzaRo2ot_msk8tnGS0tP2NuNjNlWH6g/s320/Rescuethechildren.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresno Rescue Mission's new Save the Children Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
This integration
will take visionary church leaders who are able to assess the needs of the
community, as well as considering the strengths within a congregation, and to
build individual team leaders who can lay the groundwork for a safe and
appropriate missional outreach (2006b, 32). I mention “safe” as there is danger
in not considering the full impact of an urban environment when developing programs.
This type of missional outreach can allow people to step beyond the
“soup-kitchener” experience and into a more personal and contextual missional
expression of their faith and lifestyle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Such change can only come through a
concerted effort of our church leaders, ministries and community agencies in
creating a bias for action through educating congregants in missional stewardship
of all that they control – time, treasure, and talents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Frost, Michael, and Alan Hirsch. 2003a. The Shaping of
Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century Church. Peabody:
Hendrickson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Linthicum, Robert. 2003b. Transforming Power: Biblical
Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community. Downers Grove: IVP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Roxburgh, Alan J. and Fred Romanuk. 2006b. The
Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sider, Ronald J., Philip N. Olson, and Heidi Rolland
Unruh. 2002. Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good
News and Good Works. Grand Rapids: Baker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-89633177659654514722013-04-16T07:30:00.000-07:002013-04-15T22:12:34.302-07:00A Case for a New Leadership Paradigm<br />
We are in a world of change as paradigms are being challenged. Gone are the days of the broad community acceptance of the Christian service provider. Postmodernism is taking its toll . . . leadership is changing, urban demographics are changing, legal regulations are changing, staff and boards are changing, donors are changing, and ministry core services are changing. Change is as certain as the sun rising.<br />
<br />
In this day and age, faith-based service providers and their staff need to be on the cutting edge to keep up with an ever-changing environment that challenges the sustainability of the mission and vision of an organization. In order to meet these challenges there needs to be a constant – and two critical constants are proper stewardship and increasing core competencies through accreditation.<br />
<br />
Stewardship of the organization, program curriculum, staff resources, liabilities, finances, and board governance are paramount – and most importantly, is stewardship of the physical and spiritual health of the leader.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvTuy50lRrckfTKI0dc-tdERpf6nIKvUsQMo4EjiZ63aW5KpN8xgb1-FvjenxfvE-sd4530oP0COfHE7_reQb7r6f8NxQsUlcK0Aaekp0177eiMDsx1o0hBDPBnwNTSTZkEEXDe6_yz8/s1600/ARTIOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvTuy50lRrckfTKI0dc-tdERpf6nIKvUsQMo4EjiZ63aW5KpN8xgb1-FvjenxfvE-sd4530oP0COfHE7_reQb7r6f8NxQsUlcK0Aaekp0177eiMDsx1o0hBDPBnwNTSTZkEEXDe6_yz8/s400/ARTIOS.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Artios Institute provides collaborative accreditation through coursework designed with stewardship as the focus. Through a peer cohort of fellow leaders, development staff and board members, your knowledge, skills, and capacity for change is strengthened and profound impacts are cultivated. In this two-year course, meeting two and a half days every other month for the first year and three times the second year, we will explore four foundational pillars:<br />
<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;">An Understanding of Biblical Stewardship, Fund Development & Advancement </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The Keys to Balanced Personal & Professional Growth of the Leader </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The Core Components of Building Boards & Effective Teams</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The Role of Strategy in Determining Vision & Direction </li>
</ol>
Whether you are a seasoned executive or development leader, or just starting in ministry, this course of study will challenge and strengthen you and your organization – and prepare both for the challenges of today and years to come. This is an investment in stewardship you can’t afford not to explore. Examine the course elements and consider Artios Institute for yourself and your team.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.artiosinstitute.com/the-new-model/four-pillars-of-focus/">Review the Four Pillars</a> <a href="http://www.christianleadershipalliance.org/resources-ccnl">Examine the CCNL Credential</a><br />
<br />Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-87186799827680702682013-04-14T22:40:00.000-07:002013-04-14T22:40:53.146-07:00Vocations Empowered for the Common Good<br />
This morning’s speaker at Grace Brethren Church Long Beach, <a href="http://www.washingtoninst.org/about-us/who-we-are/staff/#steven-garber" target="_blank">Dr. Steven Garber</a>, founder and principal of the Washington Institute on Faith, Vocation and Culture spoke on being stewards of our common grace for the common good. His comments related to how the grace of God in a life committed to Him can impact the world for the Kingdom. Our vocations, when empowered by God’s grace, fulfill the Church’s responsibility to impact the Kingdom life here and now, not just in the hereafter—socially, politically, and economically. This discussion recalled my studies at Fuller on social advocacy and in particular one particularly powerful statement by Dallas Willard which gave credence to thoughts I’d had on charitable programs.<br />
<br />
Willard makes a similar point to Garber’s in The Spirit of the Disciplines that “charity and social welfare programs, while good and clearly our duty, cannot even begin to fulfill our responsibility as children of the light to a needy world.” He then boldly calls upon the people of God to <i>“assume the responsibility, under God and by his power, of owning and directing the world’s wealth and goods”</i> (1988:202). He points out that by doing so, with Christ, the church would be able to reduce the causes of poverty. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7hmDrOtK0W8phFHG_rJZ9spnPgsJApAQ_XV9oNfc0Cij32Gb-H5J9bawdxh42TC77BcU7x52wnE_nrwahXAzP1IfWk6oG_NE6_f44Etmq3vQTjfZtcFR2YaZBsomQuIHn2P8IYbUN0/s1600/Red_vineyards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t7hmDrOtK0W8phFHG_rJZ9spnPgsJApAQ_XV9oNfc0Cij32Gb-H5J9bawdxh42TC77BcU7x52wnE_nrwahXAzP1IfWk6oG_NE6_f44Etmq3vQTjfZtcFR2YaZBsomQuIHn2P8IYbUN0/s320/Red_vineyards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That is a level of stewardship the church has not attempted on such a large scale—and likely will not—without realizing that the sacred calling of God is not just within the church, but in all vocations and careers. He continues the challenge by declaring the church should commission men and women into “farming, industry, law, education, banking, and journalism with the same zeal previously given to evangelism and missionary work” (1988:214).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Once the people of God are involved as stewards in influencing the marketplace for the community’s good, they can have a hand in advising public agencies in serving the truly needy. This culminates in the people of God showing how the church “enters into full participation in the rule of God where they are” (1988:218). That is true stewardship of all that God has made and put under our authority, including social service to those in need. Religious control of social functions, as it has been in the past, can be seen as an authentic Christian response to need. P. Beyer, in Religion and Globalization states that this validates the Christian message (1994:197).<br />
<br />
By becoming stewards of God’s love and compassion through charity, the church becomes a centripetal force in the world. Serving societal needs as part of the soteriological effort of the church is the greatest stewardship of all God’s resources, and becomes the attracting light the world seeks. In the words of Bernhard W. Anderson, “The nations are attracted to Zion, the spiritual center, because the teaching that goes forth from that source appeals to the deeper human longings for šālom (peace, welfare). Mission is at its best when it brings something to a people that respond to their deepest desire and quest” (2006:116).<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Beyer, P. Religion and Globalization. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 1994.</li>
<li>Okoye, James. Israel and the Nations: A Mission Theology of the Old Testament. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2006. </li>
<li>Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. New York: HarperCollins, 1988.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-33678923419995649982013-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:002013-04-09T09:46:54.845-07:00Leveraging the Passion of our Emerging Leadership in Philanthropy <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Just a year ago in an article discussing the changing culture of
nonprofits and the failing economy, I examined the decline of the nonprofit
sector due to its failure of facing the realities of a changing market and
demographic.* Following this marked decline, in just a few years we have seen an
increasing flow of new blood in the sector . . . young leaders (I dislike
tagging them “millennial”) are bringing a new passion and desire to impact
their society. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9Kw8V-5ru8A1zdCGqJ0JGnWg9eYy2LQNRAES0CSZ9trjXDpiqvkyyh3S4pZctQlTIb_4ZiG1VM6iRcF_tZsIKr2XQuoEfjRDxgD0BjWG55soPLp-JXo3XSHcRQc8DAznGjcd8suX4AI/s1600/YoungLeaders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9Kw8V-5ru8A1zdCGqJ0JGnWg9eYy2LQNRAES0CSZ9trjXDpiqvkyyh3S4pZctQlTIb_4ZiG1VM6iRcF_tZsIKr2XQuoEfjRDxgD0BjWG55soPLp-JXo3XSHcRQc8DAznGjcd8suX4AI/s320/YoungLeaders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
To this aging Boomer, having served most of my vocation in nonprofits,
this brings a surprising feeling of promise and a desire to see them become
empowered in a way my generation failed to realize through our efforts in the ‘60s
and ‘70s. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
This upwelling of philanthropic youth is more than evident here at the
50th International Conference of Fundraising in San Diego. The San Diego Convention
Center is teeming with young people, wherein such a conference a decade ago would
have witnessed an older attendee. In a review class for the CFRE – a certification
for those with fundraising experience – there were quite a few young people who
obviously did not bring experience of the level normally expected to such a
class. I propose that not a few of them thought some of the material and
processes discussed a bit mechanistic and antiquated. Additionally, the crowd
was standing room only and overflowing the room of the First Timers orientation
meeting. This leads me to wonder what is
the impetus of these new fundraisers? </div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
For those of us who have long been involved in nonprofit fund
development, we may recognize the surge of funds now flowing from our
generation’s estates, and how best to help divert them from the government and
invest in charitable efforts. I sense, however, that the new conference attendees
are not so much interested in investing these funds, but rather investing
themselves in the empowerment of others. They recognize the weakness of
government and institutions to meet the growing gap in services and bring a new
paradigm to the task.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
While wanting to encourage and empower this new generation, we need to
sensitively guide them and their enthusiasm into this sector. Just as the ‘90s
saw a growth of nonprofits that was impossible to properly fund, we can allow
them to be change agents within existing organizations, as well as lead
collaborations, acquisitions, and mergers which will increase capacity, reduce
duplications, and bring a new face and paradigm to, not just the nonprofit
sector, but to the for-profit sector and world-wide commerce as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
How we assist, educate, encourage and empower this emerging leadership
will be the fulcrum on which their impact is leveraged. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://ym.christianleadershipalliance.org/?CriticalShift">http://ym.christianleadershipalliance.org/?CriticalShift</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-66423169883047081582013-03-23T16:20:00.001-07:002013-03-23T16:20:46.923-07:00Unexpected InspirationIt was March 1999. I was nursing a failing business, going to school at night, working part-time for FedEx, and driving a limousine. I was pretty low.<br />
<br />
After our furlough in Palm Desert, CA from a three-year missionary term with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Philippines, we were unable to obtain a new assignment there. I completed a Management course at Summer Institute of Linguistics in Dallas, and was referred to International Relations work, but the director of staffing in Manila office would not allow my wife’s position as a teacher to be our primary assignment so I could intern in the Government Affairs office. Likewise, stateside opportunities were being thwarted by a personnel director refusing to allow me to serve JAARS (our technical service arm) in a field representative position as I had for six years at Eastman Kodak. I was at a stalemate; and so, we resigned a 10 year tenure as technical support missionaries.<br />
<br />
Now what to do? Leslie was already teaching in public school, which left me seeking a technical management position in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Coachella</span> Valley where few tech jobs existed. My lack of an undergraduate degree kept me from several promising positions, even though I was told I was overqualified. After the rejection of Wycliffe and these interviewers, I was a bit desperate.<br />
<br />
My wife suggested I start a business, as I knew a lot about radios; so I did. I developed a business plan that thoroughly impressed a business loan manager. With an SBA loan and my retirement funds I dove into self-employment. Setting up shop, a sprinkling of sales, repairing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CBs</span> for truckers, and developing a tracking system for the local transit company was a great challenge for me. Ultimately, my small draw against a meager net profit slowly drained the business. When the transit manager gave the contract to a relative rather than putting it up for bid, and a ruptured appendix put me in the hospital, I was down for the count.<br />
<br />
Having moved the business into my garage, I started a three-quarter load at the community college at night and found three part-time jobs to help keep the family afloat. I was now determined to complete my BS degree so that I could advance in management. In addition to school, and fixing radio and data equipment for two FedEx stations, I started driving a limousine. Although the clients were often glamorous, the level of my self-worth was not.<br />
<br />
I picked up the Lincoln Town Car and the client order and headed west on the 2 ½ hour trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Claremont</span> to pick up a Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Drucker</span>. As the elderly gentleman settled into the front seat and we began some small talk, it occurred to me who he was. Wait a minute, I exclaimed . . . “You are THE, Dr. Peter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Drucker</span>!” He smiled and said, “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ja</span>, that is me.” I almost wrecked the car.<br />
<br />
I am sitting with the worldwide guru of management captive in my limo for two and a half hours . . . as the commercial says – Priceless! He asked about me and I poured out my story, leaving out no detail or the current state of my frustration. He was a most gracious counselor and mentor to me during that drive back to the desert as the keynote speaker at some conference. He put off those interviewers as the loser, not me; the unethical practice of the transit manager; and shortsightedness of the Wycliffe personnel managers. Quoting Teddy Roosevelt, he said, “Failure is the backdoor to success.” Experience is much more valuable than the degree, he said; the piece of paper says nothing of your actual abilities to succeed in business. However, he did encourage me to finish my studies, promising that they would complement my experience. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mgyC6Y42_M4/SY3BmKbv0AI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/x8_zumY6lUQ/s1600-h/PDrucker1.jpg"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuc5Clzh10owoHwqt_4yte9DIReoWSYVGry3Swi6BlvpdCVo-hxTqFy4O0xIhlHL5GmNyIL9L4cPV7YzHhCpaKRS7dc3ih0EJapBaaM-wPGrGgxtiOa6lsz5CwTZrP3LHHMsnyY6vHg8/s1600-h/PDrucker1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450738917282226178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuc5Clzh10owoHwqt_4yte9DIReoWSYVGry3Swi6BlvpdCVo-hxTqFy4O0xIhlHL5GmNyIL9L4cPV7YzHhCpaKRS7dc3ih0EJapBaaM-wPGrGgxtiOa6lsz5CwTZrP3LHHMsnyY6vHg8/s200/PDrucker1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 193px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
Of course I told the dispatcher that I would drive Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Drucker</span> back the next day. A tired Dr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Drucker</span> slept most the way back, but took the time to further encourage me in my endeavors, telling me that he saw great promise in someone with the courage and fortitude to keep up such a load to provide for his family.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mgyC6Y42_M4/SY3CIlLLz3I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Xm5g_dD78lg/s1600-h/PDrucker1.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mgyC6Y42_M4/SY3FFl2SLhI/AAAAAAAAAIg/cP85FNB0eIg/s1600-h/PDrucker1.jpg"></a><br />
Within months I became Administer for a commercial business, then General Manager of two RV Resorts, and subsequently CEO of two ministries in need of restoration. After completing a graduate-level certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">UC</span> Riverside, two years ago [now 7 years ago] I took a shortcut into an MA in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Dr. Peter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Drucker</span>, for your inspiration during a limo ride.<br />
<br />
<em>“All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Rom 8:28.</em><br />
<br />
PS: On June 11, 2011 I walked across the stage and received my MA in Inter-cultural Studies: Global Leadership from Fuller.Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-64680104677349602482013-03-18T15:11:00.000-07:002013-03-18T15:14:21.399-07:00Failing at Ethics can be good if . . .<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Teddy Roosevelt is known for the quote, "Failure is the
backdoor to success." I'm fond of such quotes – perhaps due to the
fact that I'm pretty good at failing . . . and sometimes just as good at finding the silver lining through failure. One of my
"crash-and-burn" experiences led to one of those rare, unexpected
blessings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHWA_d4dCDuOYv3IFqzvEp2w0wwf_y6iTt-dvpjW5Q8lQWMttlpqnCncBsQ0ZMuFIFpEVJaIyRDGQ0e3wZSprh2KxsEY-9Z_NdKxTuulbA_nosu_N1lan0xd13RLDfk2_94k5sdJD2nM/s1600/Failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHWA_d4dCDuOYv3IFqzvEp2w0wwf_y6iTt-dvpjW5Q8lQWMttlpqnCncBsQ0ZMuFIFpEVJaIyRDGQ0e3wZSprh2KxsEY-9Z_NdKxTuulbA_nosu_N1lan0xd13RLDfk2_94k5sdJD2nM/s200/Failure.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
After
"hitting the wall" and not completing a paper in what should have
been my last MA course at Fuller Theological Seminary ("Ethics of Bonhoeffer" -
I'm really sorry Dr. Stassen), in order to make up for the failed credits I took "Advocacy for Social Justice." </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
This was providential, as it challenged me
to consider more deeply the sociological, historical, and political conditions
in which the Church—and our ministry—must be the visible expression of God to
the world. It painted a picture of the manner in which our incarnational
ministry should appear – as we provide both justice and salvation – intertwined
in a way that they cannot be separated; one is dependent on the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
So, although failing one of my favorite courses still stings almost
two years later, I have realized once more that God can indeed make all things
work to the good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
It’s true: Failure
is the back door to success . . .<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-79615387491321727702013-03-13T13:54:00.002-07:002013-03-14T10:13:05.073-07:00Telling your story in freedom<br />
<br />
When you share a past failure do you feel the bile creep back up your throat and your heart constrict...you begin to relive it? Telling your story from the pain indicates you haven't yet dealt with it and have yet to realize healing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TH4bxagJk1an3r82GUK39IEhe7LSK4l3jMkTZfR4fjLN0zuP91HoYD3wMgC9PzFtOC19BYcbcWZEOevmxaCdKHwFxO0xVR9aSGqT5Ra54uT2kQkdtD6oRDiaVewyLYLpuVE0YWQNyZU/s1600/Freedom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TH4bxagJk1an3r82GUK39IEhe7LSK4l3jMkTZfR4fjLN0zuP91HoYD3wMgC9PzFtOC19BYcbcWZEOevmxaCdKHwFxO0xVR9aSGqT5Ra54uT2kQkdtD6oRDiaVewyLYLpuVE0YWQNyZU/s200/Freedom1.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
<br />
Henri Nouwen wrote a journal during the most difficult period in his life. He was encouraged to publish it, which he did (at least some of it).* In it he mentions addressing his past failures and pains in such a manner that they come to no longer revive the pain and hold onto him. His personal testimony has helped me get past much of a lifetime of hurt involving past abandonment, injustice, false accusation, and apparent failure.<br />
<br />
Through the Holy Spirit we can come to a new place wherein we can tell our story from the other side of the pain and failure . . . and "the need to tell the story becomes less pressing."<br />
<br />
If you are free from that past, and no longer depending upon it for identity, you can then share your story in freedom and from a new perspective. Its weight is gone and your story may release others from their pain, and get to the other side of their story.<br />
<br />
Seek that release and freedom to tell your story from a place of reconciliation.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*Henri Nouwen, The Inner Voice of Love</div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-88536095508389391732013-03-02T22:04:00.001-08:002013-03-03T14:10:19.190-08:00Fundraising isn't about the ASK<br />
The ASK is all about relationship and trust.<br />
<br />
I have a lot of experience in nonprofit ministry wherein we are dependent upon others for support of our programs, operations, and our salary. A difficulty of most organizations in this sector is fundraising; asking people for money. I believe that is due to a lack of a focus on trust and relationships. <br />
<br />
Much of nonprofit fundraising training and practice focuses on marketing and communication. Too much, I think. What that focus may not clearly understand is that people want to be an integral part of the doing of good – of the ministry which meets needs and changes lives. What they don’t want is to be seen and used as a “target.” But all too often nonprofits see and use their clientele and donors as targets: one to do good to, and one to fund it. <br />
<br />
Both our recipients and our donors want to have a relationship with us – but on their terms, for their purpose. I think the secret of successfully providing services and responsible fundraising lies in how we relate to them. For both, respect must be openly given, without expectation of reciprocity. How do we provide respect? Through our relationship and building trust . . .<br />
<br />
My learning curve began as a technical support missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators as we learned their partnership development (i.e. fundraising) mantra of “Full Information, No Solicitation.” When Leslie and I built relationships and communicated the mission and vision of Bible Translation, this brought buy-in and people desired to trust us with their investment. It didn't hurt that we traveled across the country with our four children in a '74 VW Camper and people we stayed with saw us interact as a family, warts and all. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTtcXnNDShv8lHhb5bKAR103e2uFizLEerenGTHOcBhphN4T1VI0t7POyfsZp_NcN7FIizZnWY-vmZUe6K9qsSpYHUdjmEpmJqmJI4CVxiANz-Fc6v0k_Lx54EJMjp7kqCxb_96sEMAQ/s1600/AmandaPalmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTtcXnNDShv8lHhb5bKAR103e2uFizLEerenGTHOcBhphN4T1VI0t7POyfsZp_NcN7FIizZnWY-vmZUe6K9qsSpYHUdjmEpmJqmJI4CVxiANz-Fc6v0k_Lx54EJMjp7kqCxb_96sEMAQ/s200/AmandaPalmer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This paradigm was clarified for me so powerfully today through a video from the TED Conference and an unlikely teacher of the ASK, <a href="http://youtu.be/xMj_P_6H69g" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">“Amanda Palmer: The art of asking” (click to view)</span></a> I think you will understand as you share in Amanda’s experience in building relationship and trust as you watch. <br />
<br />
Are you willing to become as vulnerable to, and trusting of your clientele and donors? It's what the ask is really all about. <br />
<br />Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-14550173898433357262013-02-28T22:58:00.002-08:002013-02-28T22:58:28.590-08:00The Decline of Unpaid Internships<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
decline of the unpaid internship has hurt businesses, nonprofits, educational
institutions, and students in the years following new rulings and regulations
from federal Fair Employment and Housing, the IRS, and over-regulated states
like California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon12SDzw_yvk7Ie6ov7jJyUViM0lQNuCmWtNfRCFQ_3nZONQGo6P0QfGUKy8uuPhwxQlj05ewhNvjxSNDOB5EC0TQTTRBokPuHkNkoNxJ43yFQmIkVRQ9VYE5gCmIKl-SQWmlJBObEU4/s1600/Interns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon12SDzw_yvk7Ie6ov7jJyUViM0lQNuCmWtNfRCFQ_3nZONQGo6P0QfGUKy8uuPhwxQlj05ewhNvjxSNDOB5EC0TQTTRBokPuHkNkoNxJ43yFQmIkVRQ9VYE5gCmIKl-SQWmlJBObEU4/s200/Interns.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While leading nonprofits I
have been asked on many occasions to take on unpaid interns. As one who tries
to do the right thing in the right manner, early on my research revealed that
many internships are handled under the radar and put the nonprofit or business
at great potential risk and liability. An officially authorized internship via
an academic program which provides credit for the internship is merely an initial
requirement. There are strict criteria by which the internship must be
controlled:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the
employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational
environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
internship experience is for the benefit of the intern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision
of existing staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the
activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be
impeded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the
internship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div -0.25in="" 0.0001pt="" 0.25in="" 0in="" background-position:="" background-repeat:="" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" initial="" margin:="" text-indent:="">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for
the time spent in the internship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Internships
are not only limited federally, but state Worker Compensation is also applied
if the internship is not properly authorized and covered through an academic
institution’s insurance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Locally, CA State Long Beach has established a formal
application and authorization agreement between itself, the professor, student,
and employer – thus protecting all parties from liabilities. Even so, there
have been numerous rulings against nonprofits and businesses wherein compensation
and fines have been levied. Not to mention the intern who feels slighted and sues
the employer for compensation, overtime and/or Worker Compensation benefits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While these
regulations were put in place to protect the intern and internship program from
being abused, they unintentionally serve to decrease educational and on the job
training opportunities and reduce the involvement of students in nonprofits – thus
reducing the practical training and skills for college graduates to take into
their careers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I
caution the business and nonprofit who may wish to utilize interns in their
workforce to step into this area fully aware of the regulations and potential
cost of violations. Do the right thing in the right manner . . . and both you
and the intern will benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oh . . .
and especially don’t have them make the coffee or be your go-fer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some helpful links:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL12-09acc.pdf" target="_blank">http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL12-09acc.pdf</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/a/departmentoflaborsnewguidelinesforinterns.htm" target="_blank">http://internships.about.com/od/internships101/a/departmentoflaborsnewguidelinesforinterns.htm</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-8458147009770908502013-02-27T16:22:00.000-08:002013-02-27T16:51:48.295-08:00Seeking Counsel From Failure<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpev7vZLa9p-GcCVQxbbO-zE6jigR5zX27_MM93HNT7Jct5wCOFfOkp8XqqX1edZWj8x_ZSMCrLrJ4gLbu3I9gPOixkJYPmx6F743co9LINmnKlTqsegbly4QOFpTsQ9EIopepeU_3Lq4/s1600/Failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpev7vZLa9p-GcCVQxbbO-zE6jigR5zX27_MM93HNT7Jct5wCOFfOkp8XqqX1edZWj8x_ZSMCrLrJ4gLbu3I9gPOixkJYPmx6F743co9LINmnKlTqsegbly4QOFpTsQ9EIopepeU_3Lq4/s1600/Failure.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Do you follow any <i>thought leaders</i>* for counsel and insight? What happens if he or she has failed in their leadership? Can that person still speak into your issues, or do you turn elsewhere?<img src="file:///C:/Users/JKLewis/Documents/CharisLB/Do%20you%20follow%20any%20thought%20leaders_files/image002.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
For some that may depend on their sector and the type of failure . . . and what affect the failure is considered to have on the leader. For example, in Christian circles, failure is often the “kiss of death” for a leader; in the financial world an ethical violation or fiscal misrepresentation will end any respect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Less often, I fear, do people perceive the benefit of failure that results in even more reason to seek that leader’s <span class="GramE">counsel.</span> Where am I going with this?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
An example may be seen in the repentant embezzler who speaks out on the lack of ethical oversight in his industry that allowed his actions. Another may be the pastor who has gone through reconciliation from an affair who now counsels men on strengthening their marriage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Many are the quotes of leaders who state that failure strengthens leadership – even tempers it; making it stand the test of time and providing learning moments from which others can profit. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">One such quote I embrace is Teddy Roosevelt’s, “Failure is the backdoor to success” . . . apparently his success came on the shoulders of his failures. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We won’t accept pharmaceuticals without thorough R&D and lengthy testing, so why would we accept leadership ideas or direction from someone who has never been through the trials and fire of failure? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Perhaps next time you interview someone for a position or a project, see if they’ve been tried by fire – and ask them to share their most beneficial failure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Has your thought leader failed? It may be even more reason to seek them out . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
*See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_leader" style="color: purple;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_leader</a></div>
Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-74540497989871585942012-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:002012-09-29T11:21:41.526-07:00Criticism of LeadersCriticism is likely the most devastating issue facing all leaders (not just the church) . . . and how leaders face criticism will make or break them. Seeing and accepting what we need to change can help us move through it to successfully deal with hidden issues - or what we might be blind to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pBbW-Jzkcr3TeRzRtNZh9HGtP9-6-J8nDQyrOyBZpzSPSyGyReTN8KFj1WKFBJLd8oh-hDE_XCDNqs6Eox-b3x04ry9CMCKFYV6qmjJJSYzFMY6GuKYcb6sQk5-4FMd1utO8fV2fxQ/s1600/Critic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pBbW-Jzkcr3TeRzRtNZh9HGtP9-6-J8nDQyrOyBZpzSPSyGyReTN8KFj1WKFBJLd8oh-hDE_XCDNqs6Eox-b3x04ry9CMCKFYV6qmjJJSYzFMY6GuKYcb6sQk5-4FMd1utO8fV2fxQ/s1600/Critic.jpg" /></a></div>
Thom Rainer's blog post helps identify critics and our response to them:
<br />
<span style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><i>First, realize that criticism is inevitable. Anyone in a position of leadership will face criticism. Deal with it prayerfully and courageously, but accept it as a part of your leadership that it will never go away . . . </i></span><i style="text-align: justify;">All criticisms sting, at least for most of us. But not all criticisms are bad for us. Indeed, in many cases our leadership and ministry can be more effective if we deal with critics in more redemptive ways. </i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/09/five-types-of-critics-in-the-church.php">http://www.thomrainer.com/2012/09/five-types-of-critics-in-the-church.php</a>Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7879703533545885814.post-32311975806450433752012-09-07T21:51:00.001-07:002012-09-07T21:54:36.307-07:00Are corporations once again picking up the slack?<br />
Although the industrial age has historically been considered a major contributor to poverty, and thus, an increase in the need for charity, a number of industrialists such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie considered it their responsibility to address these concerns. Ford made new inroads to the hiring, treatment and accommodation of those in need—or charity, as it was viewed in that day. He designed a third of his factory jobs specifically for the disabled so that they could make a living wage. Ford's view of poverty was to “fix the train tracks first” and then help people help themselves.*<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T-PiERx0-LwY0anzHzMhhP0haWi-UG2CVo8GsnyDBrqX8UuVAk4M7t4tlxDZyBcP3S2YhhNHH0Xsgmg_mbuzYEyfcY_LWwFhdZ30UOSGFcVZRGUfjog9NNC_Z1vxsMwgVE2-khWQE4/s1600/factory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5T-PiERx0-LwY0anzHzMhhP0haWi-UG2CVo8GsnyDBrqX8UuVAk4M7t4tlxDZyBcP3S2YhhNHH0Xsgmg_mbuzYEyfcY_LWwFhdZ30UOSGFcVZRGUfjog9NNC_Z1vxsMwgVE2-khWQE4/s1600/factory.jpg" /></a><br />
Andrew Carnegie believed it wrong to die rich, and purposed to live within a set means and endeavored to give away the balance of his income for the rest of his life. Both men are considered founders of the modern philanthropic movement. From this point onward we see a growing philosophy for a corporate, or central, responsibility for society rather than the local community or the church. General welfare, once supplied via the church, was hereafter seen as the duty of agencies, corporations, and governments—and funded primarily through taxation.<br />
<br />
I believe we are once again seeing more so-called "one-percenters" becoming more personally responsible for those around them as were Ford and Carnegie. <br />
<br />
*Guinness, Os. Doing Well and Doing Good: Money, Giving and Caring in a Free Society. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2001, 232.Jim Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152622894438612276noreply@blogger.com0