How did we ever get along or communicate with one another before cell/smart phones. We really do rely on technology to keep connected. I am guilty like many others to text or email someone instead of picking up the phone, it is an easier, convenient and less informal process of communicating (someone may even call it lazy). The convenience of staying connected 24 / 7. I catch myself checking my smart phone emails all day and before bed and even when you cannot sleep I can be found working on the computer or smart phone. You really can work all day or night long.
So when my friends asked if I would be interested in going to Las Vegas for a “girls getaway” I hesitated at first but since I have never been to Vegas, I said yes. What about KnowledgeConnector, kept running through my mind.
Fast forward to October 14th day of departure (needless to say that I have been living out of a suitcase for the last two months) and I have just got home from yet another work related road trip and was working until midnight the night before on completing a varied “to do” check list (did I forget to mention that I am a constant procrastinator and that I do my best work under pressure). I was feeling guilty that I was leaving on a five-day “fun” trip. I am great at multitasking as well, so on the ride to the airport I read my mail and three weeks of local newspapers, sent various emails and made a couple of calls all before boarding the plane. Once on the plane you are asked to turn off all cellular or electronic devices and sit back and relax and enjoy the flight. Well that is where it all sank in – I am actually taking time for myself and going on a holiday.
For the next five days, we laughed, shopped, sight-saw, ate, gambled (not well), sat by the pool, and went to an Elton John concert (FABULOUS!!) and never once thought to turn on my phone or check my emails at the business center – I was off the Grid. I had an opportunity to relax and enjoy my surroundings with my BF’s. What a great feeling!
Back on home soil I turned on my phone, I had 203 emails waiting to be answered and 15 texts to deal with, one word that describes that feeling is overwhelming. It has taken me a day to get back into the swing of things and get back to routine. So for the next couple of days I will be playing “catch up” but in the end it was well worth it – thank you Donna and Helen, Where are we going next year?
Have you ever noticed that many smaller scale nonprofit/voluntary organizations always have a group of very dedicated members? They also seem do everything themselves without much outside support. Likely, many do not think there are many easily accessible and affordable resources at their disposal. Well, fret no more for Culture and Community Spirit offers an abundance of training opportunities to help your board reach its potential. Here are three great examples right from their website.
The Board Development Program develops resources for the not-for-profit sector.
Not-for-profit boards and board members are facing an amazing array of challenges. Often, connecting with a knowledgeable source can solve a problem or lead in the direction of information that helps clarify a situation a board is facing.
The Board Development Program’s staff takes pride in the work it does with clients looking for solutions to their board governance challenges. Some of the consultations will lead to more formal involvement with the BDP through workshops, but often individuals are best served by having the staff make appropriate and direct referrals.
There best part is that there is no cost to individuals or groups for their consultation services. If you have questions about board governance issues, please do not hesitate to contact the Board Development Program staff at 780-427-2001 or bdp@gov.ab.ca. You can also, of course, contact me to book a Leadership Assessment Workshop to identify your board’s leadership skills and be connected with other learning opportunities near you. Until next time….
As I sit here at the computer after unpacking my suitcase from yet another successful road trip and now I want to share with you what I have been up to for the last couple of days.
Wow! I just attended a fabulous ACE Communities Retreat (active, creative, engaged) on Community Leadership, at the Sanctum Retreat just outside of Rocky Mountain House. They take the retreat to a whole another level, limited internet and cell phone access; a real get-a-way (a little nervous at first not to be able to connect to the outside world, but that feeling was short-lived). We had a real opportunity to share and discuss building community capacity with little or no distractions.
I had introduced you to ACE Communities in one of my earlier blogs and asked you to stayed tuned on the ACE Cultural Diversity Project and that I would keep you posted on my “journey” as this project moves forward. My new BF’s are from Jasper, Rocky Mountain House, Carstairs and of course Grande Cache, not to mention the great facilitators.
Both ACE and KnowledgeConnector focus on building community capacity, so how do they compare?
We already know from KnowledgeConnector that good leaders are essential to the growth and sustainability of rural communities and it is important that these leaders are linked to ongoing learning opportunities to develop their attitudes, skills and knowledge. The leadership framework for KnowledgeConnector revolves around 6 main competencies: big picture thinking, strategic thinking, relationship building, self-awareness & development, planning & organizing and management & governance. All relevent in building community capacity.
With ACE communities the role of the community leader takes on a different meaning and with an emphasis on citizen involvement, maximizing community resources, facilitating decision-making, planning and developing policies; all geared towards implementing growth and change in ones community.
The two main key points that I took away from this community development training was 1) Social Investment in your community and 2) Social Change with economic impact.
Each community has been given the task of coordinating a local team to come up with a “plan” to IGNITE and embrace Cultural Diversity through community development. ACE Communities will be coaching us and providing support and guidance step by step as we go through the 6 competencies to develop and implement short-term and long-term goals for our communities.
The first step in this plan for me as a community leader is to engage my community. So how am I going to do that? Back to the grassroots idea of face-to-face. Hence 100 cups of coffee…. Stay tuned.