tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:05:22 +0000Gro(w)th Coaches, LLC, provides great coaching to non-profit organizations and the people who love them--volunteer leaders, staff, donors, and clients!http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sue)Blogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-23202833648841313Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:13:00 +00002009-11-02T09:05:22.281-05:00inventionchangeMy son announced at dinner last night how he was going to apply to be a high school mentor for the spring. I responded by telling him how happy I am to see him finding his "leader" voice. He agreed. I asked him what it was about the mentor program he found so interesting that he would want to commit to it. What followed was a quiet moment of deep thought and then he said he wants to teach http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/9jxp4IX-y1w/invention.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/9jxp4IX-y1w" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/11/invention.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-8556218841592246560Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:13:00 +00002009-10-15T08:51:03.383-04:00ORSCright relationshipWhen are we ever not in relationship? Think about it. People, spouses, friends, children, siblings, neighbors, team mates, colleagues, in-laws, staff members, our pets, clients. And then there's money, nature, homes, illness, cars, sport teams, musicians, classmates, servers in restaurants, the President. Everywhere we turn, whether for moments or a lifetime, we are in relationship with http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/yLWKjDz0CRw/just-curious.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/yLWKjDz0CRw" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/10/just-curious.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-1836455955141011863Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:33:00 +00002009-10-08T09:17:41.667-04:00successQuotefamilyLast night was back-to-school night at my son's high school. Hundreds of parents shuffling from classroom to classroom, listening to teachers describe grading procedures, attendance policies, methods for contacting them, on-line grade reports, and course outlines. Good times!And while I really hope my boy is taking in the high quality academic teaching he is offered (I am sure he is), I have tohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/7c_vcRRo3FE/school-days.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/7c_vcRRo3FE" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/10/school-days.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-5420468940145214882Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:24:00 +00002009-10-07T12:53:28.133-04:00jewishbiggrowthThis is Maria. Extraordinary Maria. Maria is the instructor of the aqua-fitness class I take three times per week at the local Jewish Community Center. I have never been a gym-person, a pool-person, an exercise-person but Maria makes it all possible. She is motivating. She is creative. She is highly trained, professional, and a learner herself. And what I notice about Maria--more than http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/9IV4AFVbWZ8/being-big.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/9IV4AFVbWZ8" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/10/being-big.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-6408005868965914583Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:08:00 +00002009-09-24T09:09:45.392-04:00actionrelaxhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/885xFx4GLCs/invitation.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/885xFx4GLCs" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/09/invitation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-2423855874090640922Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +00002009-09-11T14:14:02.102-04:00ORSCchangeGo to "the Google" (that's a George W. Bushism) and type in "change" and watch you computer nearly crash from over-processing. Climate change. Coins. Obama and change. Change agents. Change theory. Change process. Change models. Sustainable change. Social change model. Technology of change. A case study on epic change. It goes on and on. Over 1, 080,000,000 hits when you put "change"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/01B08sdtm40/patience-please.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/01B08sdtm40" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/09/patience-please.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-3134530739436391764Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:51:00 +00002009-08-24T09:31:36.554-04:00ORSCsystemsBattle ready. That's my hope. It's my current perspective. This morning I am plotting out some important tasks that need to be managed this week and I am shocked by the complexity of the systems I face. I am feeling like I am suiting up for a major effort, some of it probably easy and a lot of it very difficult. For example:We are dealing with an insurance claim at our home (a 50 year old http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/pH7pUkJsYk4/battle-ready.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/pH7pUkJsYk4" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/08/battle-ready.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-8166505858511458562Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:34:00 +00002009-08-14T12:52:29.660-04:00PurposegrowthI was asked by my doctor to participate in a study he is conducting of his patients who have had spinal surgeries and/or who undergo spine-related pain management therapies. What was so surprising about the study was that it was about quality of life and not medical care. I loved being asked to reflect upon my quality of life. And you?The survey included the following:We know that the meaning http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/63Kznek3Wt4/survey-says.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/63Kznek3Wt4" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/08/survey-says.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-2002305272412854917Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:38:00 +00002009-09-24T09:08:21.290-04:00videoReflectionrelaxhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/kHe1Q22QuLQ/miniature-earth.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/kHe1Q22QuLQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/08/miniature-earth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-7720543169396264504Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:47:00 +00002009-07-04T10:03:28.973-04:00growthdeclarationsnowI love American Independence Day! It is a day that forces me to ponder and pause, to think big thoughts and consider renewed optimism in my country and its people. It is a day when I am reminded of the power of community organizing and the will of common people. And I have to say, the Declaration of Independence is a darn good read!Today I am going to think about what I am trying to declare http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/5UIkc09a_Qc/independence.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/5UIkc09a_Qc" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/07/independence.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-2396373122980172250Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:43:00 +00002009-07-02T15:25:35.586-04:00perspectiveTraditionI live in a small colonial town where it appears things are being done the way they have been done for centuries. Tradition. As American Independence Day nears the town is in a flurry of patriotic activity from draping bunting on all of the buildings to staging reenactments and parades. Tradition. Nobody can even remember the reasons why we celebrate how we do and the literal or symbolic http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/0f8-yaHm9l0/tradition.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/0f8-yaHm9l0" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/07/tradition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-3502295697741465762Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:44:00 +00002009-06-22T14:16:59.651-04:00IndiacleanorganizationI have been working to clear my desk of some untended filing and unsorted scraps and have been rather struck by the wisdom in the piles. I have to wonder... is there something to the word mess occupying a large part of the word message?So, some of the wisdom I am receiving from the messages on my desk include:"Quality...backed by a desire to please"--business card tag line"Care you can believe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/Z2gqXrxb4e4/wisdom-in-piles.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/Z2gqXrxb4e4" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/06/wisdom-in-piles.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-2196652495531461988Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:04:00 +00002009-06-08T08:43:34.736-04:00AwardsAcknowledgmentI am curious...if you had 30 seconds on a world stage to offer thanks, to acknowledge support received, to make a political statement, to"audition" for your next gig, to smile for the masses...what would you say and to whom? What would this moment be for you?As she accepted her 5th career Tony honor last night, Actress Angela Lansbury said she would "talk about how she feels" and not read off a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/nfPVNJCt3I4/nod-to-tony.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/nfPVNJCt3I4" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/06/nod-to-tony.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-3772124626893404531Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:18:00 +00002009-06-05T09:40:35.463-04:00choiceedgeIn my coaching practice there is a common theme that emerges about being on an edge. The edge is a place that is really uncomfortable, possibly dangerous. A risk and a change is wanting to happen. A leap of faith. Go over the edge and emerge changed. Step into the void and trust you have the skills and resources to succeed. Stay, holding on with bleeding knuckles, exhausted. The edge is a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/2RV-_UgBkC0/on-edge.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/2RV-_UgBkC0" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-edge.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-3535539571214630541Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:56:00 +00002009-06-01T08:46:49.185-04:00jobright relationshipI am solidly of the mind that employees do the job the way they get the job. I am also of the mind that employers manage/evaluate/retain employees the way they hire employees. There is a correlation between energies, resources, tactics, and values in the job seeking and job offering process...a correlation many do not understand, accept, honor, believe. Do we reap what we sow?Consider: A http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/Fvhw_SB5ewo/help-wanted.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/Fvhw_SB5ewo" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/06/help-wanted.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-8062794002855779883Thu, 28 May 2009 11:31:00 +00002009-05-28T08:17:42.194-04:00perspectivechoiceplanningMy word for the day is "sequence" and I am curious...which comes first? I am thinking about:a serious and nagging and correctable physical limitation that hinders your ability to enjoy your life and really stay present. You are slammed with work responsibilities making it difficult to "schedule" your treatment until next year. So which comes first, labor through (and suffer too) your life and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/zzWMT8YJgwQ/which-comes-first.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/zzWMT8YJgwQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/which-comes-first.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-7599894415267342012Fri, 22 May 2009 15:47:00 +00002009-05-22T12:52:35.324-04:00jewishphilanthropyplanningI am amazed by the willingness--and the lack of willingness--of people to cut back during these tough economic times. I hear of the daily struggle to make ends meet and yet the act of cutting back is so difficult. What's up with that? Sometimes the process of considering options has to be cut very short. I am reminded of the athletic company advertising slogan "Just do it!"A little horn http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/o29GW0PjXO8/economic-right-sizing-in-form-of.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/o29GW0PjXO8" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/economic-right-sizing-in-form-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-3133919864424205869Mon, 18 May 2009 12:07:00 +00002009-05-20T07:49:41.104-04:00CyberbullyingMy son was bullied by some middle school classmates via the Internet (here is our story). As a result, we became educated, resourced, and passionate about the issue of cyberbullying and the effect it has on our kids. It is a huge problem in American schools! One of the best resources out there is from the experts at Children Online. Open their May 09 newsletter for the latest research data http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/53TM8D3on-c/cyberbully-pulpit.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/53TM8D3on-c" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/cyberbully-pulpit.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-2150408977952696404Thu, 14 May 2009 11:55:00 +00002009-05-21T08:29:50.151-04:00non-profitchoicesimple"Things were so simple then..." an executive director of a large non-profit said in a moment of quiet reflection: A staff of 3. A board of 7. A budget of $100,000. A small functional office. No quarterly reports to submit to foundations. A direct mail program managed from an office computer and laser printer. Volunteers. An abundance of good will. Just look out the window and see impact.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/_sdNddVd5NM/simple.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/_sdNddVd5NM" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-6411661301935136945Mon, 11 May 2009 11:26:00 +00002009-05-11T07:36:49.149-04:00obamaTimechangeTake a minute to read this article from Time magazine called How Obama Is Using the Science of ChangeIn addition to the ways in which our elected officials view our thoughts on change, it is a fascinating exploration of what we believe about change and the barriers that creep into our lives as we try to create change.What will you change this week? Once you get in there, and it gets difficult, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/Umz-GIyFb04/some-change-theory.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/Umz-GIyFb04" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/some-change-theory.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-8574062996503231298Wed, 06 May 2009 12:39:00 +00002009-05-06T19:59:51.253-04:00couragenote to selfA week ago I was in New York City having lunch at a fussy private club in a lovely Upper Eastside building with the ladies who lunch (in this case, lunch is a verb because, in my mind, for lunch to be a noun it has to larger than an appetizer, and this lunch was a side salad at best!). I was the guest of my dear friend, Beverly Tobin, author, teacher, world traveler, opera lover, mother, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/CxOlJwrnHzw/note-to-self.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/CxOlJwrnHzw" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/05/note-to-self.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-656276372400833049Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:27:00 +00002009-04-27T09:12:42.706-04:00InterviewleadershipI was reading the Sunday New York Times this weekend and came across this interview with Richard Anderson, chief executive of Delta Air Lines. I was intrigued by how communication and human resource oriented his leadership style is. And, I was not surprised to see--once again--how leadership is leadership, regardless of size of organization or whether for-profit or non-profit.Here's what I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/IpuFCaSSbzE/on-leadership.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/IpuFCaSSbzE" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/04/on-leadership.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-6795594714094268408Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:56:00 +00002009-04-27T08:59:22.588-04:00facebookfundraisingIn case you missed it, from the Boston Globe: "Online Social Networks Click Big With Charities"Non-profit leaders--this looks like one promising method of raising money, at least as long as the fad lasts (and only after you develop a robust major gifts program, but probably way better than many time-wasting, energy draining special events!)Facebook users--this looks like a way of assuaging your http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/s-ZRVygoUpc/lil-green-patch.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/s-ZRVygoUpc" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/04/lil-green-patch.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-806821948668227756Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:54:00 +00002009-04-23T09:58:41.318-04:00planningSpouse and I had a goal for one of our vacation days (yesterday): to plan for the end of our lives! What?We had been neglecting this project for years and planning this day for months. It was a process. We recently met with our lawyer to update our wills, powers of attorney, health care directives. We set up a living trust for our son and carefully thought through the various scenarios and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/suWaZHfJipo/rip.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/suWaZHfJipo" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/04/rip.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285830187340599774.post-4296064789882991539Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:25:00 +00002009-04-20T16:19:16.950-04:00100 UnitsAges ago, when I was Director of Development at a very Hollywood-heavy organization, there was a staff person who secured our organization's annual appointment with a m.a.j.o.r. celebrity to discuss this famous person's ongoing support of our programs. Leading up to the appointment there would several internal strategy sessions with key participants to develop and plan for this year's "ask" of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~3/8olgFvwMqak/100-units.htmlgary@garygroth.com (Gary Groth)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/GrowthBlog/~4/8olgFvwMqak" height="1" width="1"/>http://growthcoaches.blogspot.com/2009/04/100-units.html