I had the recent pleasure of spending a day with a group of CSDs (Community Service Directors) through our partnership with Michigan Campus Compact. I’ve worked with many of them in the past in various capacities, but it was relatively new to have them all in the same room, focused on the same thing. Our challenge for the day: come to a common understanding of the concept of strategic planning and set a framework for reflecting and integrating The Institution’s Plan in the department plan.
Sounds easy, right? (ha!)
Each of the CSDs (or SLDs, Service Learning Directors) was charged with learning to speak the language of the institution (funder/parent entity); identifying mutual goals and objectives; and honing in on measures that mattered. Sound familiar? As we went through the fabulously insightful conversations (tempered with, I think, a healthy dose of real-worldism and humor), I found myself thinking, “Why does this have to be so hard?” And then the light bulb went off: “Because we’re human.”
It’s ironic that this will be posted to a blog, because I’m feeling that technology may be part of the problem. (please don’t throw things at me – it’s just not nice.) As humans, we need to communicate in a reciprocal fashion. We need to ask probing questions, to identify the confused or enthusiastic look on someone’s face, and then to respond accordingly.
I was amazed with the framework brought by one participant: The Institution had gone through a healthy round of community focus groups, gaining insight on customer needs and expectations. These were reflected in The Big Plan. Then, each department was given a copy of The Big Plan and asked to fill in the blanks of where they fit.
The form is lovely. The process was grand. But, as we know, the proof is in the puddin’. Moving the plan forward will rely on communication: I hope as much attention is paid to the detail of advancing, monitoring and evaluating The Plan as was to developing The Plan.
Whether you’re a Large Institution or a Local Nonprofit, it’s important not to lose touch of the people in your midst. Set aside the keyboard and pick up the phone. (my own personal demon – email is just so much faster!) Meet folks for lunch and coffee. Talk with people instead of reporting to or at them.
Last week I was on a plane (again) and this time I read FISH. (COOL BOOK!) Four key premises in that little gem, and one of them is Be Present. In the world of efficient multi-tasking, it’s important for us all to remember that there’s really only one reason any of us is here, and they can’t be plugged in, backed up or downloaded. The reason is the people, and they’re hard wired in a very different way.
Submitted by Robin Lynn Grinnell
Filed under: General
