Early Learning Grants coming to states to administer

Early learning grant programs will be coming from the federal level to the states for administration.  Here is a link to a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article and the announcement in May.  Details on the programs should be available in late summer:

 http://philanthropy.com/blogs/public-measureshttp://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/obama-administration-announces-500-million-race-top-early-learning-challenge/a-new-race-to-the-top-for-innovation-in-early-learning/80

A slight twist on an old favorite -- teamwork

Team success depends on careful planning

J. Richard Hackman is the Edgar Pierce Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology at Harvard University and a leading expert on teams. The misperceptions that are summarized in this post are explored in greater depth in his new book Collaborative Intelligence: Using Teams to Solve Hard Problems (Berrett-Koehler, 2011).

Perhaps you have felt some frustration with your team's results, interactions, performance or communication.  Now might be a very good time for you to revaluate what you have been taught about teamwork, hands-on involvement; conditioning the team and bringing in new players.You can rethink the teamwork paradigm to your organization's advantage.

Prof. Hackman brings up some though-provoking ideas to our whole concept of team, including the individual players and leadership.  It turns out, bigger isn't necessarily better, nor is communication primarily through technology. 

Interesting reading.

Enjoy,

Diana

Your fb posts matter to employers...

We love our fb, but think before
you criticize your company or colleagues online.

Most of us are returning from a three-day holiday and getting back into the job.  Just a quick little note and reminder that your fb posts are public and many employers and colleagues are aware of your comments.  This article demonstrates that it doesn't really matter if your company has an internal social media policy in place or not...if your posts are detrimental to your company/colleagues...it is just not a good idea.  http://www.workforce.com/section/news/article/firing-tweeting-newspaper-reporter-upheld-by-nlrb.php

Leadership Mindset Training - moves away from individual leader to a process model



Leadership Mindset  -- quite an interesting idea



Has your agency followed the same leadership paradigm since it was founded?  Have you explored new ideas, new thinking and new expectations on leadership?  In building for the future and hoping to engage those new donors who are pretty young right now -- do you wonder what successful leadership might really look like to them? 

There is plenty of information on leadership models on the web. Here is one with a different perspective.  It tells us that leadership is a shared, relational process and moves away from the dominant American model of leadership deeply rooted in individualism.

Leadership for a New Era is changing the understanding of leadership from the traditional individual model to a process model through which individuals and groups identify and act on behalf of a larger purpose.

Traditional approaches to leadership and leadership development assume that training an individual leader with appropriate knowledge and skills will result in an increase of organizational capacity which will in turn lead to better community results.

If you have some time -- take a look at the site -- it's interesting and in our new age of global thinking, it makes sense.  It is titled the Leadership Mindset for a good reason.

Cheers,
DCR

Millennials—the generation that became adults in the 90s and early 2000s. Do they have a voice in your organization?

Millennials -- a connected generation

As nonprofits struggle in this continuing difficult economy, thoughts naturally turn to the future. 

Ask yourself who represents the future of your agency?  Are you building and grooming tomorrow's leaders?  Are you engaging young people in your mission?  Are you educating the millennial generation about who you are and why you make a difference?  

Have you asked younger generations about their thoughts and hopes for your mission?  Here is a quick little article and a one-minute video that offers some insight.     http://philanthropy.com/blogs/prospecting/nonprofits-should-incorporate-millennials-sooner-rather-than-later/29395?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en

Cheers,
DCR

101 Common-Sense Rules for Leaders

This is a great little cheat sheet and quick read.  These rules/tips on leadership apply to profit and nonprofit.  At the very least -- good reminders.  You will want to share it if you are grooming leaders within your organization.  Depends upon your comfort level:   http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9jmbSw/www.focus.com/fyi/human-resources/managers-cheat-sheet-101-common-sense-rules-leaders%3F%3Fmodal%3D1

Enjoy!
DCR

Engage the next generation in your nonprofit

Excellent blog by Emily Davis on how to engage the next generation for philanthropy and volunteerism.  Find the link to the story here:  http://edaconsultingcafe.blogspot.com/

Cheers!
DCR