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