Like a lightning bolt

The search for a new Greenlights Executive Director has been going along its merry way with me being a quiet observer and supporter --until last week.

It finally occurred to me, that I too could recruit candidates for the position. I'd been trusting the system and staying out of the way, but all of a sudden it hit me - like a lightning bolt or a swift kick in the shins - that I could better guarantee good search results if I put my energy into this a bit more.

So I sat down and thought of people in my circle of friends and colleagues who had the qualities I thought might be right for the next ED. And I started to call a few people. Not only were they flattered to be contacted, but some of them might throw their hat into the ring. Which means I get to feel like there's a broad, deep pool of leaders considering our noble institution.

Why didn't I do this sooner? Yeah I did a bit of circulating the job posting at the beginning of the search but I had the sense that departing ED's should stay out of the process. And then I realized that I had enough of a stake in the game that I should be creative and resourceful - just like the rest of the albeit formally named Search Committee.

But also, deadlines seem to propel me to action.

The job posting closes November 1st (a real deadline!) - so if you've been reading my blog and getting intrigued...get your name on the list as well. Could be a fun process, and it's definitely a fun job!


PS -I did not get sawn in half at the Nonny's. Terrific party and terrific campaigning - especially by Michael Guerra, who received the honors of a stage show appearance, and lives to tell the tale! Photos soon!

Nonny Awards

So, yes I am one of 6 candidates in the running to be "Cut Down to Size" on October 25th at Greenlights Nonny Awards - "The Magic of Nonprofits".

This is a totally cool, totally Austin event - we honor a few nonprofits for the innovative, creative, resourceful, or absurd , and celebrate the local nonprofit sector with food, drink, magic, mingling, and silly antics. Come join me and a few hundred nonprofiteers at the Design Center in Penn Field Wednesday night.

If you want to be part of the spirited race for "Cut "Em Down To Size" - and watch me get sawed in half by the evening's magician - cast your $10 ballot online. If you want to watch me wiggle my toes on stage while a magician hacks away, get yourself a ticket and come join in the fun! You can count online or at the event.

Out of my comfort zone

Greenlights is hosting its 3rd Nonny Awards next week - a funky offbeat celebration of all things nonprofit in Austin. This year the team is ramping up from low-key to high-octane. And fundraising goals are high.

The theme is magic, and we've got ventriloquist, palm readers, and a magician - all ready to entertain during an evening of awards and humour. It will be terrific....but there's an odd twist that's caught me by surprise.

A few months back the event committee proudly announced that the magician for the Nonny's was prepared to cut me in half. Now this is not really my idea of a good time - so I threw the committee an alternative. I said, come up with a slate of candidates to be "cut down to size" - and let's get funds by charging $10 a vote. The person with the most votes gets cut in half at the show.

They were happy with this idea, but demanded that I be in the race. So I said yes, and now I find myself campaigning for votes and shivering in my shoes about the prospect that I might win.

I asked a few staff to give me a pep talk explaining my apparent fear of being part of a magic act. They were no nonsense - "get outside your comfort zone" they said.

Good point. And good message for me in general. As I look at turning the corner in the coming months, I need to remember that it's not so hard to get outside my comfort zone. I just need to remember where I am!

PS - If you want to vote (or watch the voting) - cast your $10 ballot online at
http://www.greenlights.org/nonny_awards/election.asp

lame duck?

Returning to Greenlights after 2-weeks in Russia turned out to be more unusual than I had anticipated. True, there's always a reshuffling when the ED is out of town. Like any family, different people emerge as leaders, intergroup squabbles are settled in different ways, and there's lots of pride that comes out as the group solves probolems, experiences success and sees progress, without the leader around. So when I came back to the office I heard kudos of all kinds from staff and board about fellow staff and board.

But I also heard a new tone. People weren't holding problems for me to solve on my return. They were addressing things as issues came up. And once back in the saddle, people weren't coming to me for help, advice, or feedback as much as before.

I think this is a reflection of our distancing from one another. I won't be around in the same way next year, and staff are feeling the need to do things their own way and establish patterns that don't rely on me. Little things - like the editorial focus for our monthly newsletters, the plans for next year's programs, and budget priorities - are now being worked through without me being invited to either participate or comment. Not that this is a bad thing....

But it does feel a bit odd. And the other odd thing about these new patterns of shared leadership is that I am not sure when I can or should pull rank and say, "we need to keep doing things my way", when staff are beginning to do things in a different way. I am known for exacting standards - and Greenlights' reputation is for quality. Are these changes maintaining high enough standards, or not?