Changing the World by Engaging the Planet

Last Friday I was lucky enough to be part of the Floricane team that lead a staff retreat for the 60 employees of the Daily Planet, a Richmond based nonprofit serving the homeless community.  We were fortunate to get to work with an internal planning team to design a day that was informative, focused and fun.  They asked two big things of us:

1. They wanted to have fun and to laugh and enjoy them selves.

2. They wanted to see a change on Monday.

FUN

I know lots of fun activities, but fun for fun sake isn't really going to cut it for an 8 hour retreat.   Some activities we customize for clients, and some are so awesome that we might use them over and over with the right groups.  The Balloon exercise is one of those.  As members of the VCU Advancement Department and RVA Leadership Lab can attest it is a high energy thirty minute exercise that includes laughter, competition, rules, and change.  With the Daily Planet I was overjoyed to see the teams sprouting unlikely leaders and really getting into it.  But the ah-ha moment where fun becomes purposeful came in the debrief, this group of sixty people got the connection between balloons and leadership and the application of this experience in their daily life more than any group I have seen so far. 

CHANGE

Part of facilitation is the ability to be nimble in the moment.  I always warn our clients that while I give you an agenda, we might have to divert from it if we need to chase a concept or build out an idea.  Usually, this is something we just do, but sometimes the magic happens when we listen. Towards the end of the day a staff member came forward and asked that we design an activity that would capture what people thought was the best idea they had heard all day.  So, we grabbed 10 minutes from the schedule and captured the information.  The answers ranged from hilarious to really poignant.

MONDAY

At the end of the day we asked that every person make a commitment to do something different on Monday based on what they had learned about their co-workers, the Daily Planet, and its opportunities. So what happened Monday?  If you see a staff member of the Daily Planet, ask them. So far I've heard that the building was buzzing and  the Management Team started acting on some of the best ideas the team generated.

All in all, a powerful and fun way to spend a Friday.

Getting More GOOD Ideas for RVA

You can’t turn around in RVA these days without a good idea hitting you on the head – while that can be exasperating at times, it’s an amazing turnabout from the days when everything in Richmond was half-full and the same 35 people showed up in the same rooms to rehash the same perspectives. Fresh, optimistic perspectives seem to be a new normal in the creative and entrepreneurial quarter, and last week’s GOOD Id eas for Cities event at the Virginia Historical Society is a case in point.

More than 200 people – not your usual suspects, for the most part – came together to hear three randomly formed teams of creative, businesspeople and civic do-gooders share their ideas for attracting more people to the James River, getting more tourists to get off the interstate and explore RVA, and repair our struggling middle schools.

Ross Catrow at RVANews was on the team exploring the interstate question (as was I) and provides a solid summary of the event, and the ideas:

The first group was asked to think about bringing people and dollars to the Canal Walk and the riverfront. They decided that one of the obstacles to attracting actual humans to the river is the lack of businesses near the river. Easy to solve right? Just get more businesses down there!

But have you ever tried to actually start a business? It’s a morass of confusing terminology and a web of links to a trillion different city departments. Here’s the current page from the city designed to “help” you start your new business. This could be SO MUCH better!

The team suggested creating a very straightforward, easy to use resource (Pop-up RVA) that laid out the simplest and quickest path to getting your new business up and running. They suggested focusing on mobile and cart-based business, as those would be easier to “pop-up” down by the river.

Ross also spoke about the new vibe I mentioned a bit earlier in this piece:

I… really do think that this is a special moment in time for Richmond. We need to take advantage of the momentum created by things like Art 180, g40, and the RVA Street Art Fest. We need to start implementing creative, diverse, and good ideas throughout the city.

As always, implementation is the key to turning good ideas into good works. Here’s hoping the GOOD Ideas for Cities launch transforms into GOOD Works for Richmond.

Transforming Dental – and Medical – Care Across Virginia

Even as the American health care system snaps in the ever-changing winds of politics, many of our nonprofit clients are trying to read the tea leaves – and anticipate the future. A few, like the Virginia Oral Health Coalition (VOHC), are hoping to shape the future.

VOHC got off to a good start in April when it brought close to dozens of Virginia organizations together for a day-long su mmit to explore ways to better integrate medical and dental care.

The concept is simple – making it more of a norm for dentists to ask basic medical health questions of their patients, and vice-versa; creating a mechanism to allow doctors to schedule dental appointments for their primary care patients, and vice-versa; and so forth.

Led by VOCH executive director Sarah Bedard Holland, and project manager Katherine Libby, we facilitated a series of design team meetings that led to the summit.

Those small group sessions created the focus and framework for the full-day summit on April 20 with its vision of a Virginia where, “Optimal oral health is the norm and achieved through collaboration among patients, healthcare providers and the broader community.”

Under the banner of “Improving Health Through Collaboration” the session featured a compelling presentation by Washington State’s Dr. Russell Maeir on “Engaging Primary Care in Prevention”. And Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources presented a set of data that demonstrated both the serious impact of poor dental care on the health of Virginians, and the significant financial costs of poor oral health care.

The 100 participants – representing some of Virginia’s major academic communities and professional associations, and health-centered nonprofits, as well as practicing dental and medical professionals – spent the rest of the day working through the development of a short-term, actionable plan to change the landscape. From the way we teach students in the health professions to the way established doctors and dentists do their work, from redesigned IT systems and modifications to the insurance standards, from the way patients and the community learn about the importance of oral health, no stone was left unturned.

By July, the VOHC team hopes to have developed a substantive plan that will be implemented collaboratively across Virginia with hundreds of partners. The belief is that system-wide change can happen by pulling strategically on three major levers – professional education, consumer awareness, and policy change.

As always, it is powerful and humbling to be able to support organizations that are out to do serious, game-changing work.

Grand Finale of RIC/RVA Brings It All Back Home

Last Wednesday, on the heels of a warm spring afternoon, the final chapter of the RIC/RVA history series was brought to a close. Eight weeks in the making this final eventwas the culmination of the process of discovery, learning, inspiration, and creativity that the series has come to represent. Over the last two months we've been privy to just how much revolution, innovation, and change there had been in the history of RVA. Not only have we educated ourselves i n our city's history, but we've had the rare opportunity to interact with that history on our own terms and discover something about ourselves in the process. It was within the walls of the Library of Virginia that we congregated once again for our final event.

Upon entering the rec eption area for this last edition of the series, you were struck by something instantly gratifying. No, I do no refer here to the free wine and snacks generously supplied by Floricane, but the final product of our first creative endeavor within the RIC/RVA series. As some may remember, and as I mentioned in my first post for the series(LINK), we sketched some ideas for posters that would accurately capture our sense of RVA, something that we would want to share with out-of-towners. After weeks of production and design the final product was exceptional. Clear in the eyes of attendees was a pride and interest that was enjoyable to watch.

After some poster admiration, and a little wine to loosen the gears, the group of near 50 participants moved into the auditorium for the night's main features. John reintroduced the concept behind the series - to begin reexamining the story we've told about Richmond, and to perhaps find a new story to tell. He then engaged the group for feedback as to their favorite events, worst moments, and new discoveries made. Not surprisingly, the response was overwhelming positive.

It was then that the historians had a chance to give their peace on the series as a whole. Bill Martin, of the Valentine Richmond History Center, Gregg Kimball, of the Library of Virginia, and Christy Coleman, of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar all highlighted their experiences. Bucking the formal panel seating that was arranged for them, the three sat feet dangling off the stage, a few steps away from the front row. While each gave a wholly unique version their thoughts on the series, most notable was their admission that the events gave them an opportunity to explore history in a different way than they are accustom. It seemed that over these weeks we turned from proper chronology, instead investigating feeling and purpose more than date recollection. The gist, it seemed, was that a new way of telling our story was beginning to form.

The night culminated in a series of eight videos submitted by local Richmonders, highlighting a sense of what their RVA looked like. Peter Fraser, Becky Carey, Myself, Jonathan Hirsh, Sheena Jeffers, and David Kalman all submitted to the nights visual candy. Giving a wide perspective of RVA, we saw kids skateboarding with their dad, an artist at work, a look at a hopeful future, and the last hours at a local bar. Indeed, we had arrived at an interesting story of Richmond. One that was crafted from the unique lives each of us leads, and the community space we share.

Wrapping up the evening, participants were given the chance to give their opinion of the series. There was one unifying sentiment that pervaded the room: optimism. It was clear that this series had accomplished its goal, a new story was indeed developing. With participation and optimism there isn't much that cannot be accomplished, and the RIC/RVA history series was only the beginning.

A Radiolab Lesson in Facilitation

Working for Floricane, you hear a lot about facilitation. You hear a lot about how to engage people, how to lead an interactive conversation, and how to actively arrive somewhere new. I've seen this process at work through the InSights program, the RIC/RVA history series, and in most every conversation I have with John. I was impressed, however, to see it hard at work in a recent lecture given by Jad Abumrad, co-host of the popular NPR radio show and podcast, Radiolab.

Monday night, Abumrad spoke before a packed house at the VCU Common's Theater. He was invited as the keynote speaker for VCU 's Student Research Week, which runs through this Friday.

If you're not familiar with Abumrad's work at Radiolab, you're most certainly missing out. As best described by the show's website: "Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience." And while this description concisely captures the gist of the show, the experience you receive from each episode is unmatched. Often one finds themselves at once questioning all they've ever known, while finding validation for all their hearts have known to be true. Therefore, it was with avid fan-ship that I was brought to a fourth row seat.

And so it began. Like many seasoned speakers, Jad started things off with that "a-little-about-me" download with which we're all familiar. The thematic element of Jad's introduction centered around the idea of tension. Specifically, Abumrad described the tension he experience in his mid-twenties in which he wrestled with a life-long dream of becoming a musician, and his alternative interest for being a writer. He described his vacillation, noting that when one pursuit would seem to fail he'd turn hurriedly to the other, and then back again. His final resting place, as it turned out, finds him sitting with the tension between those two worlds, neither wholly writer nor musician, but a balance of both.

Abumrad's talk moved forward with an enjoyable journey through clips of old Radiolab episodes and his reflections on the lessons learned from each curious investigation. Yet, as we traveled along this journey there was a mounting expectation for release, that in the description of these beautiful stories there would be revealed some over arching lesson, some comfortable teddy bear of an idea with which to go home and snuggle. However, that moment never arrived, and it wasn't clear why until his talk concluded and the floor opened for questions.

As Abumrad happily and humbly entertained the audience's Radiolab quandaries, he soon had the opportunity to answer what the show's goal had become, and for what purpose the show existed. His answer came without thought: "I just want to lead people to moments of wonder."

The thing about facilitation is that the way you deliver your message should embody that very message. Abumrad did exactly that. The tension it was his life goal to embody was what he gave his audience, bringing us brilliant stories, and leading us to the edge of the ocean, allowing us to gaze at its awe together; all questions unanswered, and conclusions left for another day.

Dr. Strengths and Dr. Weaknesses Or How I Experienced Self-Discovery and Fell in Love with Insights

Going into my first Insights Self-Discovery workshop earlier this week, I wasn't too sure what to expect.Having completed the online evaluator, I felt uneasy about what my Personal Profile would tell me. I felt that my answers were inconsistent and struggled to find a pattern as I was completing the online evaluation. But I kept going and was as honest as I possibly could be in my answers.

I'm 21 years old--so learning how I work with othe rs is still something I'm trying to figure out, among other things!

Sat in a room of about 8 others, my Floricane colleagues Debra, John and Tina began giving me and the other participants some background information about Insights. How they feel that this self-discovery tool is the most effective, the most engaging and the most accurate. John struck a chord when he mentioned the core of Insights Self-Discovery: the wheel. Rather than boxing you into one category or one definition of a type of personality or learning style, Insights appreciated the uniqueness of all of us...everyone embodies each of the four colors! We're all comprised of bits of Fiery Red, Cool Blue, Earth Green and of course, my dominate color, Sunshine Yellow.

After a series of eye-opening and mind-boggling perception exercises, Tina came around with our 32 page Personal Profiles. I watched and heard as myself as well as those seated around me began devouring their profiles. The general chatter was the shock in how accurate their profiles were. It seemed that a lot of the revelations were unexpected initially. However, as we all discussed and dissected our profiles, we learned that most of the information was that of a powerful reaffirming nature. That was something that was really resonated with me. Insights helped to reassure, reaffirm and soothe me and my fellow participants in who we are, how we communicate and how that not only affects our work and professional lives but also our home life. (Many jokes were made about directly handing the 32 page Personal Profiles to your spouse--for effective communication!)

Towards the end of day, a participant from my table asked John and Debra if people who took the Insights evaluation twice at "different stages" in their life ever came up with different results. John and Debra said that while most people make leaps and bounds and adaptions, for the most part people remain true to what that were when they first completed Insights. Talk about a reaffirmation!

Top 7 Lessons on Board Engagement

As long as I have worked for nonprofits I have volunteered as a board member.  I’ve sat on a variety of boards and had very different experiences.  I can be a highly engaged board member hitting up friends and strangers, volunteering around the clock and donating as generously as I can.  I can also barely come to board meetings.

In working with nonprofit clients I see this same pattern over and over.  Richmond is a small town, I might work with the same board member across three different organizations.  On one board she is super enthusiastic, another she doesn’t even return emails.  So if it isn’t about the board member, what is it?

Turns out it is all about engagement.  So how do you successfully engage board members without spending day in and day out cultivating them?  Here is a simple list of  seven things you must do.

1.  Tell the truth.  This is perhaps the most important thing you can do.  When soliciting them for your board be honest about what you need from them and what  you have them slated to work on.  If this is a working board where everyone is expected to devote 5+ hours a week, your prospect needs to know this.

2. Once I say yes, spend the time to complete a board orientation.  Give me a board book, teach me about the organization. Give me enough information to fall in lve with your cause and talk to others about it.  This can be formal or informal done as a group or as a one on one meeting.  The key is that this should happen before my first board meeting.  And, giving me a 100 page board book doesn’t count.

3. Have me sign a contract. Yes, I know the word contract is a scary word but seriously outline my responsibilities, my time commitment and any financial guidelines in place.  Have me sign it, in person, in ink.  It makes my relationship to your nonprofit feel real and it outlines very clearly your expectations of our relationship.

4. Tell me stories.  I am your most important donor, no matter how much I give.  I have the power to give you my money, my time, my address book, and leverage my friends and colleagues.  Give me stories that will make me cry and stories that I can share in the elevator and over drinks at a party.  One story doesn’t count.  I need a new story every few weeks.

5. Make good use of my time.  Craft clear and tight agendas for board meetings and committee meetings.  Send me information ahead of time.  Remind me gently and often.

6. Expect me to work.  This is a big one.  You must have clear expectations of me.  I overheard a board member say once, “This is my favorite board.  I come once a quarter hear some information and leave.”  This is an example of something you do not want to overhear.    Even if I have significant wealth, you still need to expect me to work and volunteer my time.

7. Say please and thank you. Just like your parents taught you.  In writing, publically, privately, by phone. Just do it. 
So much of our nonprofit work at Floricane centers around helping nonprofits be more efficient and effective and develop bold visions and plans for their future.  At the center of all it is a productive and highly engaged board.  The best strategic plan will not succeed without the support of your board. Spend the time to engage board members and you will be rewarded.

Tourism B-Roll Keeps the Story Going at RIC/RVA Session Three

Last night the curtain opened on the third edition of the RIC/RVA history event. As we dodged a brief rain, we piled into the cozy theater of the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar. With the highest attendance yet, the night proved to be a proper culmination of the preceding events. This time the focus was on the way our story is told through film. Part humorous, part educational, and wholly enjoyable, this may have been our best event yet.

Our first scene of the night opened on John with a recap of the past three events and a reminder of the goal of the series: to tell a new story of Richmond. Taking what we learned in our poster making and map revamping, the direction of the conversation was starting to shape up nicely. From the stories told in our history books, to that illuminated through our built spaces, the richness and complexity of our fair city has never been fully captured. As John introduced the night’s proceedings it became clear that we had the unique ability to start getting the full story straight; that we could illuminate the innovation, revolution, and drastic change that continues to shape our town.

With a slow fade Bill Martin of the Valentine Richmond History Center took the floor and introduced three tourism films of Richmond’s past. With all the attendees encouraged to mimic a Mystery Science Theater approach, the films began to play.

The first, from 1957, was a black and white stroll through Richmond’s historical landmarks. With the ‘voice of God’ narrator booming, the commentary of the participants reached a fevered pitch. Laughably out dated, the film offered an interesting view into how our story’s been told.

The second film, from 1977, kicked it up a notch with more of a lifestyle feature. Permitting a glimpse into the discos, and short shorts of ‘70s living in RVA, the crowd clearly enjoyed this musical romp.

The third tourism film featured, from 2007, brought us into the present with a fully diverse swath of Richmond residents, a still heavy focus on history, and an active attempt at pulling folks here.

It was, however, with the fourth film of the night that we began to take a turn. Two students from St. Christopher's featured a film they produced that offered a personal look at their city. At once somber, and intriguing, it led us naturally to a facilitated conversation about how we would tell a new story through film.

We then split into groups and discussed different aspects of the city, from travel, to our general swagger; we could feel the new story coming together. With the night wrapping up, John again took the floor and threw down the gauntlet. He encouraged us all to film our own one to two minute video of our version of #RVA. These would then be the feature of our fourth session, a screening of the new story. It was the opportunity we’d been waiting for! Excited and motivated, we ended our evening hungry for the last session. The work of i.e.*, The Library of Virginia, The Valentine, and The American Civil War Center has certainly paid off.

Follow this link for specifics on the video project. Submissions are due April 19th!