[COMM-ORG] Joan Roberts Summer newsletter

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: "Joan Roberts" <joan at joanroberts.com>




Joan Roberts Consulting

416-523-0390

www.joanroberts.com

joan at joanroberts.com

Helping collaborations succeed!







Summer Newsletter 2009

Contents:

1. What’s new?

2. New e-learning module

3. Blog Postings

4. Interesting research

5. Collaborative story



What’s new?



I continue to work on my new book. The draft is now with peer reviewers. 
Called Governance for Collaboratives: A Guide To Resolving Power And 
Conflict Issues, it is written for staff of non-profits and governments 
who engage in collaborative processes to meet complex social challenges. 
It explores the development of a collaborative, through the lens of 
governance, one of the three legs of a the organizational effectiveness 
model presented in my first book Alliances, Coalitions and Partnerships, 
Building Collaborative Organizations.

Governance is the term we use to describe the arrangements organizations 
make to deal with the different needs and perspectives of members and 
constituencies. A governance framework is the piece of organizational 
structure that addresses power and provides mechanisms to work through 
conflict and provide leadership to the organization.

The book is chock full of tools and processes to get member 
organizations ready to collaborate, to move through the different 
developmental steps and provides suggestions for structural solutions to 
conflict and power dynamics.

As, I continue to provide customized training and group development to 
non-profits and governments, and delivered a number of workshops around 
the province this spring. Another recent project focused on team 
building processes to help to build a healthier team. See 
www.joanroberts.com for services and products.





2. Web based training module on building successful collaborations now 
available!



Sometime in the spring, I just felt I could not do anymore on the book. 
My well of creativity had dried up. Into the detail work of revising, as 
a conceptual thinker I was not in my preferred working mode. I hooked up 
with my old friend procrastination My good friend Hilary Samuel, a group 
and creativity expert from Ottawa suggested I start a new creative 
project that would rebuild some creative energy to refill that dried up 
well. So, I started to learn a new e-learning software product and built 
my first e-learning module- an Introduction to Building Successful 
Collaboratives. It is now available on my website.

This course defines explores some of the basic concepts associated with 
the creation of collaborative forms of organizations. This e-learning 
program is designed for NPO or government practitioners, new to 
participating in and supporting collaborative organizations. It runs 
from one to one half hours.

Click here for further information.



As many others have pointed out, computer based training is not a 
substitute for well designed in person interactive training. However, 
there are many people that can’t get to face to face training, so 
e-modules can provide an opportunity to learn about a topic. You can 
take the training in your own space ( as long as you have a computer and 
internet) and at a time that works for you.

I am also using the e-module as a way to bring newer staff up to speed 
when I do customized training. This allows for the group to start at a 
more advanced level as I don’t have to cover the basics.

Now that I have the first one online, I am working on some new modules 
including:

* Governance for collaboratives
* Getting your agency ready to collaborate
* Networking and political skill building

And as Hilary promised, starting a new creative project gave me the 
energy to go back and finish the book!



3. Website Blog:



I am not sold on tweeting (on twitter) yet, but am trying to get into 
the blogging groove. I have made a few posts ( the titles are below) 
lately and try to make them interesting with new learning and share 
books or resources. To read my blog just go to www.joanroberts.com.

§ Ontario Non-Profit network Meeting and great tips from the Toronto 
Star’s Carol Goar on getting your message out

§ Choice Architecture as a policy tool

§ How does one develop political acumen?

§ The Competencies under the Collaborative Tent

§ Innovation

§ The Importance of Governance

And look for my article: Ten Mistakes That Sink Collaborations, at 
Charity Village.



4. Useful Research and Resources:



Ontario Trillium Foundation Trend Reports

In order to keep abreast of change and make healthy adaptive choices for 
your community and organization, NPO leaders need to keep an ear to the 
ground and identify the latest trends, threats and opportunities. For 
readers working in Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has provided 
a concise way to keep up with changes in your local community.

Your Community in Profile are a series of customized statistical reports 
on economic, social and demographic trends in Ontario. They put a face 
to Ontario communities and provide the most recent demographic data and 
analyses available about 16 regions in Ontario and the province as a whole.

Find them at 
http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/Your_Community_in_Profile//english/index.html



U. S. Non–Profit Wage Report

As the recession deepens for workers, NPOs might not be aware that some 
of their own employees may be in the same economically vulnerable 
situation as their clients.

Recently Jan Masaoka of the non-profit support website Blue Avocado 
published an article with lots of ideas on how to help low wage staff 
cope. It is American, so there are some ideas that don’t translate to 
Canada or other jurisdictions but it’s worth a read. These actions are 
just bandaids and do not address the systemic nature of the low wage 
structure of many organizations and sectors in the NPO sector which will 
only change through concerted political action. But many NPO staff need 
support right now.

Find it at http://www.blueavocado.org/node/376.



Mental Health in the Workplace:



Recent IPSO research reveals that:

• One in five (19%) Canadian employees feel their work environment is 
not psychologically safe or mentally healthy;

• While 19% of employees perceive an issue, when research-based criteria 
are applied, the number climbs to 3 in 10, or 29% of employees may 
actually be experiencing a work environment with significant or serious 
psychological risk concerns;

• Employees most at risk are involved in shift work; hold more junior 
level positions; are more likely to be union members; are male; work 
more than 50 hours per week; are middle aged; have a high school or less 
education; and/or work for medium-sized or larger companies.

• Industries with employees most at risk include transportation and 
warehousing, manufacturing, health care and social services, and public 
administration.

A summary of the Ipsos Reid survey results is available at 
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=4353

If you need help to build a healthier team or organization call me at 
416-523-0390.



5. Collaboration Story



DO YOU SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS?

A handsome young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the old 
farmer asked for his qualifications, he replied with an air of 
confidence "I can sleep when the wind blows." The statement puzzled the 
farmer. But he liked the pleasant looking young man nevertheless and 
hired him.

A few days later, the old farmer and his wife were rudely awakened in 
the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to 
see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had 
been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the 
fireplace. The farm tools had been placed neatly in the storage shed, 
safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The 
barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. The young man 
slept soundly. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of 
the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows. " Because the 
farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, 
he was prepared for the storm when it broke loose. So when the wind 
blew, he was fearless. He slept in peace.

Author Unknown

COMMENT

How does this apply to our collaborations you ask? Well if we neglect to 
build trust, relationships and infrastructure when getting a 
collaborative project underway, why are we surprised to find the group 
embroiled in irresolvable conflict at a later date?

In time, it isn't the things you do, but the things you leave undone, 
which give you a heartache at the setting of the sun.



Happy Summer!



Joan