[COMM-ORG] query: ways to provide training/ support to existing community orgs

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed: please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with responses to Amy's 
query. A bit from me below.]

From: "Amy S. Mondloch" <amy at grassrootsleadershipcollege.org>


Hi all—



The organization that I run, the Grassroots Leadership College, is 
embarking on an interesting new path and trying to find who else has 
traveled or is traveling the same way and can share some insights. For 
the past 7 years we’ve been providing training to emerging community 
leaders and assisting their efforts on a wide variety of different 
community projects. Now, we’re moving toward providing support and 
training to community organizations (rather than the focus on the 
individual).



Our community (Madison, WI) has literally thousands of nonprofits. This 
doesn’t include the many, many organizations that are more informal 
community groups without official nonprofit status. We’re focusing on 
the small or young organizations, especially those led by traditionally 
disenfranchised groups (i.e. women, People of Color,,,,). We’d like to 
provide training and support to the staff and volunteer leadership of 
these organizations that is inline with our belief that everyone is a 
learner, everyone is a teacher, and everyone is a leader. For us this 
means non-hierarchical training/support opportunities that give 
participants to learn from each other as well as from faculty. This 
could come in many forms. That’s why I’m looking to all of you. What 
have you seen/been a part of that is successful?



The biggest challenge I think we’re facing is the element of time. The 
folks running small organizations whether as staff or in unpaid 
capacities are simply booked to the gills! Often they aren’t doing thing 
very effectively, but they have a hard time finding the opportunity to 
slow down and fix the systems so that they run better. They also often 
aren’t aware that things can work better.



How have you dealt with providing training and support to already active 
people with a wide range of experience levels in community work? Any 
models to suggest?



Thanks so much!



Peace,

amy




Everyone A Learner, Everyone A Teacher, Everyone A Leader
a proud member of Community Shares of Wisconsin
now accepting applications for the spring semester at 
www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org


Amy S Mondloch
Executive Director
Grassroots Leadership College
1321 E. Mifflin St. Suite 201
Madison, WI
53703
phone: 608-441-0085
fax: 608-204-0835
amy at grassrootsleadershipcollege.org

www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org

[ed: one of my favorites is the Neighborhoods Resource Center in 
Nashville, http://www.tnrc.net/]