Building Your Knowledge Network: Recap from the YNPN National Conference 2011

By: Jessica Rodgers, Board Member, YNPN San Diego

I attended a session about strengthening my knowledge network. Of course the first question I asked (as I am sure you are asking now) was: What is a Knowledge Network? It's a way for you to ensure you are engaging in the topics relevant to your interests, as well as to your work and personal lives.

As far as I could tell, there were three parts to this. Part one was how to make yourself more apt to developing a knowledgeable conversation with someone to ultimately lead yourself to understanding their perspective and helping them to see it as well. Part two was about making sure you are evaluating your learning and finding real-life ways to apply it. Part three was related to the tools you can use to set yourself up for success in staying atop information relative to your life.

PART 1--Coaching
Use the Socratic Method. The best coach just asks questions and doesn't provide advice.

To practice, we each had one minute to describe a current situation we were experiencing at work or at home. Then, the coach practiced asking questions for two minutes without expressing any statements about the matter.

This was one of the hardest things I've ever done (well, close anyhow). I've been trying this out at work for a few days now, and it seems to be working well--just takes some getting used to. I felt a little weird not sharing any content--then I realized people don't often want to hear the content. SO, it works. Try it and see how it feels for you to just ask questions--or try being on the receiving end and have some else just ask you questions without any commentary.

Afterthoughts from some of the participants included:

• it's good not to have expertise in the area so that you don't always give advice...
• it's good not to be involved and have specific perspective of the situation...nice to have outsider view
• it's non-threatening

Part 2-FEEDBACK LOOPS

• includes action step,
• could be with coworkers or self reflection, and
• should be done more regularly

What is a feedback loop? It's a continual assessment and implementation of your learning. It allows you to create growth opportunities for yourself.

The steps include:

Observe: ex. How am I managing something?
Assess: ex. What are the pieces and people involved?
Design: ex. What is a better way that I could have done this?
Implement: ex. Try the new way of doing it and then re-observe and continue this same process to make improvements.
Re-observe, etc.

Part 3--Setting yourself up for continued learning

You should research information on a daily basis to keep up on sector trends and to learn something new. If you find something valuable for someone else, share an article with them. They will begin to see you as a resource.

What helps? Tera says that blogs are key. They let you keep up with discussions and learn about innovations. They also allow for hobbies tangential or totally separate from work. It's important to spread yourself out.

SO, what are some tools that can help?

• Google reader
• Twitter lists (topic based)
• Google alerts (to find new bloggers...include key words you might want to learn about)
• Instapaper (save articles you want to read later)
• Evernote (snap articles offline)
• Harvard Business review
• Stanford Daily
• Chronicle of Philanthropy
• Nonprofit Times TV(frequent videos with updates)
• New York Times
• Movie Mondays for Nonprofits
• Literature (explore authors with different points of view--and don't rofrget about fiction!!!)
• Wiley or Sage publisher books are great for the nonprofit sector (find a book on Amazon and then search for suggestions of books to read)
• Stanford offers videos online
• TED Talks

Let us know if you know of other great and current tools for improving your knowledge network.

Thank you to Tera Wozniak Qualls for her session at the YNPN National Conference 2011 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tera is the YNPN National Board Member, program and communications coordinator, Johnson Center for Philanthropy. This blog post is based off of my attendance at Tera's session.

Announcing YNPN's National Voice Survey

Make Your Voice Heard. Improve Our Sector. Take YNPN’s National Voice Survey Today!

Over the past several years, a great deal of literature has been released noting significant leadership challenges for the nonprofit sector. With each issue revealed has come a compelling set of recommendations for how the sector can meet these challenges head on. As a movement of now over 20,000 nonprofit professionals nationwide, YNPN is uniquely positioned to put these recommendations to the test.

Make sure our voice includes your perspective. Find 20 minutes to take YNPN’s 2011 National Voice Survey today! Click here to start it now!

Is offering more competitive compensation a priority for retaining talent? Is your nonprofit engaging in succession planning? Is prioritizing diversity having a positive impact on your organization? The valuable feedback and experiences you and your peers will share by completing YNPN’s survey can help influence how our the nonprofit sector addresses its leadership challenges over the next decade.

We look forward to sharing our results with you later this year!

YNPNSD January Meet & Greet – YNPN: Your Year 2011!

When: Jan 19 6-8p.m.

Price: FREE

Where: Access at The W Hotel, 421 West B Street, San Diego, CA 92101

If getting more involved in your community was on your New Years Resolutions list, then you are in luck!

YNPN welcomes you into 2011 with the year’s first networking mixer at the W Hotel.

This is a great opportunity to meet some of San Diego’s most dedicated people in the Nonprofit industry, learn more about local causes and build yourself a stronger network. And it’s always more fun to do it over cocktails and food!

Specials include 50% off appetizers and $3 brews, $5 well drinks, and $8 select wine!

Whether you are currently a member of YNPN, or simply looking to get involved in nonprofit, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what the YNPN has to offer. Representatives from each of the YNPN committees will talk about their specific committee and what it’s like to be involved.

If you’re lucky you may even bring home more than just some business cards, enter the raffle and win some fantastic prizes! Business and cocktail wear is suggested.

YNPN San Diego services are free to the San Diego nonprofit community. Please consider making a donation of any size at our event. To learn more about our mission, programs, and opportunities, visit www.ynpnsandiego.org.

Bring a friend and REGISTER TODAY at YNPNSD Facebook or on our website at www.ynpnsandiego.org! Be sure mark your calendars and stay tuned for our more event details!

*Photo Courtesy USA Today 2010

Breaking Free From Group Think

Guest Blog: University of San Diego’s 7th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium

Presented by:
Elizabeth Castillo, MA, Director of Development, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership
Laura Deitrick, Ph.D., Director, Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic research

Remember that time that you "knew better," but you didn’t DO anything about it?

Maybe you had the excuse that sounded something like this: “I can’t do that because…” If so, you may have experienced what is deemed “The Abilene Paradox.” Basically, within this paradox, you give an excuse for continuing inaction, rather than taking action. Your inaction is simply an attempt at avoiding risk. Yet, if real risk is a condition of human existence, is there any possibility of progress with your inaction?

Elizabeth and Laura shared with us a video called “The Abilene Paradox.” It presented situations including:

• A family decision to drive to a dinner 50 miles away in Texas in 110 degree heat and humidity with no air conditioning in the car. No one wanted to say that he or she preferred to stay home.
• A business that continued to fund a project into the third year even though it continued to show a lack of success. Everyone was scared to speak up against it for fear of getting fired or upsetting the Board.
• A man and woman who were getting married but didn’t actually love each other. Neither wanted to upset the girl’s mother who had a bad heart.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll be the first (or second) to admit that I’ve spent a good chunk of my life doing things to keep other people from getting upset or becoming unhappy. But, hey, I'm workin' on it.

As the video pointed out, what is it that we fear? It seems we fear "being ostracized, being branded a non-team player, and ultimately, being separated." Have you ever heard of the idea of the self-fulfilling prophecy? By not sharing your true opinion, you guarantee whatever you fear the most. The more willing we are NOT to take the risk of being separated, the more likely we are to be separated further down the line.

So, how do you know if you are experiencing the Abilene Paradox?

Well, do you feel hesitant during a discussion? Are your thoughts about the topic negative? Are you imagining the project or idea failing? Then, my friend, I believe you are experiencing what is called a difference of opinion. Say something because maybe you've got a point.

You don’t have to step up completely against the direction of the conversation around the idea or project, but you can do something to help redirect it. Ask questions to encourage individuals to think more deeply about what they are saying.

Often, once somebody speaks out about something, others might feel more comfortable doing so.

This reminds me of my algebra II class in high school. We all had that teacher (mine was Mr. Fugiano) who said in that all-knowing voice, “Ask questions because I guarantee if you don’t understand something, there are ten others in the room who also don’t understand it.” Ah, how wise he was.

Be the leader. Stand up for what you know (or believe) to be right. Don’t worry it if upsets other people because you’re helping yourself. If you go along with the idea or project and it fails, you can’t say that from the start you knew it wouldn’t work.

Do you know why you can’t say this? You’ll just get this response: Well, then why didn’t you say something?

It’s entirely possible that you will then become the scapegoat because you were the one who “knew” when no one else did. It’s your fault because you didn’t DO anything about it.

I’m going to work on doing this both personally and professionally. Are you?

Posted by Jessica Rodgers, Board Member of YNPN San Diego and food blogger for FoodandUs.

Finding the right Board for You

Guest Blog for University of San Diego's 7th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium

Finding the Right Board for You!
Presentation By: Wanda Lee Bailey, M.S., Principal, Strategic Transitions LLC


When I first joined the YNPN San Diego Board, I was looking for an opportunity to develop skills and gain exposure to the nonprofit community and decisions made within it. I also wanted to help create a network of like-minded individuals in San Diego because I believe that with connections comes a special kind of power-- one that clears the way for essential communication and multiplies the possibilities for change and progress by conjoining and synthesizing ideas. I had the personal need--I still do. I had the passion--I still do! My decision to join the YNPN San Diego Board was one of the best I've made.

Now, why are you looking to be on a Board? What is your personal need?

First and foremost: Do you know what a board is?

Do you know what a Board really does and what it would need from you? Find out before committing. Don't become blinded by love. Once you get to know the organization, you might realize it lacks that certain luster that gives you those butterflies you had at the beginning of the relationship. I've made these mistakes before--as I'm sure we all have. Today, I'm a lot more careful when making decisions. This is important because not only is it NOT fair to ourselves to jump into something we don't fully understand, but it's also not fair to the cause we are joining.

If you want to join a board, you should know these simple details before going any further.

• It's going to involve meetings--quite a few.
  
• You're going to have to be involved in the community and steward relationships for that organization.
  
• An organization with 100% Board giving is looked upon highly by the community. If you aren't willing to give to that organization, how are you going to be able to explain to potential funders that they should donate?

The Dating Game!

Wanda brilliantly shared that joining a board is a dating game. We can all relate to that. When you date someone, you make personal decisions. The first thing we ask is: Do I really want to date this person? Sure, maybe you do--or maybe you think you do. Let's face it. We've all been wrong when answering this question. Sometimes we find out too late. To help prevent mistakes in your thinking through this process, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I really want to commit my time to this?
• Would I be willing to make a financial commitment and give to this?
• Do I enjoy oversight, thinking strategically and creating policy? This one doesn't quite fit the dating game for me--but it might for some people ;)
• Do i understand role and responsibilities?
  

If you still aren't sure...Here are some deeper level thinking questions when considering your "date" or cause.

• Am I passionate about this cause?
• Do I have a personal connection to this cause?
• Do I feel enthusiastic and am I willing to serve to support this cause?
• Am I eager to share my passion for this cause with others?
• Do I have skills that will help this cause?
• Do I have the ability to network? Am I willing to share my connections to help? Do I actually have connections that will help?
  

Making Your Move
How do you meet a partner and ask for a date? Well, if you're lucky, they'll ask you (my personal preference). You can always say no. You can also Google them or check out the social networks like Facebook or Twitter to see what people are saying about them or what they're saying about themselves. Of course I'm referring to looking up organizations on the Internet, not people! I would never. That might be violating personal privacy (...it's not--you should look up your date).

On the First Date (The Interview or Meeting)

Ask a lot of questions.

Why are they considering you? What is it they think you can offer? Do they have a (strategic) plan? (And my personal favorite...) What kind of baggage they have? Careful with this last one ;)

*Just one last piece of advice. This entire process is not full-proof. If you really want to be sure if the Board is right for you, join a Committee first.

Go get 'em.

Some resources to help you find a board:
www.boardsource.org
www.volunteersandiego.org
www.npsolutions.org

Using Social Media for More

I've been thinking lately about how we use social media in our professional lives. Certainly, it's pervasive, and now an online persona is just as important as an in-person personality. Not too long ago, before Twitter became a way to spread event news and find the latest deal, before Facebook was used for nonprofit Causes, and even before LinkedIn provided a way to digitally connect with our peers, social media outlets were a free-for-all. In the context of understanding how each different outlet serves its own unique purpose(s), both individuals and organizations faced the challenge of how to use these media sources to reach their core audiences, and in turn, spread their message.

Although the current state of social media hasn't been completely defined--in that its a constantly evolving, dynamic medium--it is now much easier for those savvy individuals looking to use social media and get a valuable return on their time. Dependent upon what's being measured, be it the number of subscribers to your organization's eNewsletter, an increase in Facebook Cause donations, or event signups, we can use any of a number of tools to find out what our constituencies really desire out of our community-based organizations.

So as nonprofit organization leaders, community supporters, and even philanthropists, the question then becomes, "How can I effectively listen?" Wayne Turmel, a BNET writer, published an article a few weeks back on how "Real Leaders Use Social Media to Shut Up and Listen." His candid approach hit the crux of how we use social media in such a way that is so relevant to nonprofit organizations--because by learning what our communities need, it then becomes that much easier to serve.

Written by Danielle Reyes-Acosta

Q&A Spotlight with Community Council Member Rebecca Alvarez

Earlier this week one of YNPN San Diego's Advisory Board Co-Chairs (Mariel Berry) had the opportunity to talk with Rebecca Alvarez, one of our Community Council members to ask her a few questions and learn about what motivates her to be part of the San Diego non-profit community.

Mariel Berry: What is your current role in the nonprofit community?

Rebecca Alvarez: I am Executive Director and one of the founders of NP Strategies, a nonprofit strategy consulting organization here in San Diego. I'm also on YNPN's Community Council and a volunteer at my son's school.

MB: How did you come to be involved with nonprofits?

RA: I have been involved with nonprofits as a volunteer since my youth, but professionally I first became involved when I was doing management consulting in the for-profit sector. One of my clients (for a merger/acquisition project) was a large ($150 million) nonprofit in Washington D.C. It was a very interesting/challenging project and peaked my interest in the nonprofit sector. Working with San Diego nonprofits began when I made a career transition from the for-profit to nonprofit sector and began as the founding ED of NP Strategies.

MB: What motivated you to get involved with YNPN San Diego and their Community Council?

RA: I think its a great organization and plays an important role building a community/network of emerging sector leaders. I see it as one of the "infrastructure" organizations that plays a role in strengthening the nonprofit sector overall, and that is something I'm passionate about.

MB: How do you see YNPN San Diego impacting the nonprofit community?

RA: See above -- how I see it impacting the community is the reason I got involved -- connecting leaders with future leaders, future leaders with one another [etc.]....Also the listserve is a great resource because it serves as a central place for sharing information about what's going on in the sector.

MB: What advice would you give to emerging young professionals in the nonprofit sector?

RA:Don't focus your learning on what is specific to nonprofits -- there is plenty to learn there, but a LOT can also be learned about just general management, leadership and strategy -- topics that are not unique to the sector.

MB: Is there anything else that you would like to share about the YNPN San Diego network or the San Diego nonprofit community?

RA: Keep up the great work!

Thanks for the great words and unique perspective you have shared with us, Rebecca. We are lucky to have your experience and positive attitude cheering us on!

Signing off,

YNPNSD

As Classy As Ever

Would you believe me if I told you that one year ago a bunch of guys who decided to earn money by growing mustaches raised $42 million and gave it all away to support cancers affecting men? Well, it’s true.

An innovative charity, called Movember, challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache…yes, a moustache. Participants from around the world begin each November clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month.

According to Adam Garone of Movember, “The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised to support men’s health. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.” In case you weren’t taking notes, men + moustaches = BIG $ for charity. Now, before I explain why this idea is so striking to me, I’d like you to know where the merits of this unique initiative were espoused.

On Sunday, November 13, Mariel Berry and I presented an honor for Outstanding Young Nonprofit Professional at the 2nd Annual CLASSY Awards at San Diego’s Civic Theatre. This award show, hosted by local social fundraising company, StayClassy, recognized the top philanthropic achievements by charities, businesses, and individuals in eight major cities across the US. CLASSY Award winners included Nourishing NYC, who won for Charity of th

e
Year, and San Francisco-based The Office of Letters and Light, who earned the award for Most Innovative Use of Social Media.

It was a distinct honor for YNPN San Diego to participate as a partner for this year’s award ceremony, and I for one was inspired by the compelling stories shared by each presenter and award winner.

As I sat with Mariel watching the show, one presenter that really stood out was Movember’s Adam Garone, who traveled all the way from Australia to San Diego to present at the CLASSYs.

I was taken aback when he told the story about sitting at a bar with a few “mates” who thought it would be really cool to bring back the moustache as an homage to the 70s. The first year, the guys all spent a month growing groovy moustaches and then had a party at the end of November to show them off. The next year they decided that rather than just growing moustaches to grow moustaches they would get friends, family, and colleagues to donate money to support their efforts. This money would be pooled together to support Australia’s Prostate Cancer Foundation.n That year –2004– 432 men earned $55 thousand to support the organization, which, as it happened, was the largest donation it had ever received.

The more I listened to Adam Garone’s story, the more I thought about the number of untapped fundraising opportunities that exist, and the value of infusing creativity and fun into raising money for local nonprofits. Often, we think only about the importance of cultivating major donors, which of course is essential, but as young nonprofit professionals we can follow the Movember model and take a fun activity and turn it into an opportunity to make a meaningful financial impact on a great cause. Just think, only seven year ago a $42 million fundraising initiative was nothing more than some friends sitting around a bar discussing the finer points of bringing the moustache back into fashion.

Is there something that you’ve laughed about with your friends that could be something more? Is there a fun activity that you enjoy that could be transformed into a major money maker for a local charitable organization? At the CLASSY’s I realized the importance of thinking outside the box, and I encourage you to do the same.

Written by Shana Hazan