December's Education Day is on "Government & Public Policy in Snohomish County." We started out the day at Snohomish County Chamber having a mock exercise on KRKO Towers. Class members took on varies roles as council members, activist, citizens, business owners, county clerk, and policy analysist. It is a very delicate balance indeed for council members to find a position that will address concerns from all sides.
After the mock exercise, we had an amazing line-up of speakers: Peter Camp from Snohomish County, addressing major concerns that are facing the County; John McCoy from 38th Legislative District on Understanding State and Tribal Issues; John Lovick from Snohomish County Sheriff on Leadership, and his personal stories of why he ran for office; Tim Eyman on the Initiative Process; and Luck Loeffler, Rick Larsen's Legislative aide, on Federal Government, and of course our very own Sarri Gilman on one of the Leadership qualities - Purpose.
The speakers not only provided excellent personal stories of how they took on their leadership role, but also offered us valuable opportunities to ask questions, which all of us took full advantage of.
For me personally, Sarri's topic on "Purpose" really rounded off the day. Every one of these successful people have one thing in common. They are all very passionate about their cause, whatever that maybe. The passion and energy that they all carry are undeniable. They all have found their own calling, or their "Authentic Purpose."
One of the many reasons we are all participating in this class is to learn how to be more effective as a community leader. In order to be effective, we need to have answers to three very important questions before a cause can be served effectively: Why, How, and What.
Why are we doing "this"? How do we achieve "this"? And at the end of day, What is the result that we want?
What's your purpose? Have you found your answers to all three questions?
If so, Congratulations, because you are well on your way. If not, stay tuned, as we will all learn how to find ours, in the remainder of this program.
However, in the meantime, we need to pay attention, and learn how to "listen." As Sheriff John Lovick said, the "Right words at the Right Time" will take hold when you are ready.
Until next time.....
Grace Kane
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Law, Justice and Leadership
The theme for November's educational adventures has been "Law and Justice," and I've tried to take full advantage of the opportunities Leadership SC has organized for us.
During one of those opportunities yesterday -- a ride along with the Snohomish PD -- I was reminded that law enforcement and academics often see themselves on opposite political sides. Academics like me - I am a member of the Edmonds Community College faculty - certainly have an unflatteringly "liberal" reputation. Ouch!
After hearing representatives from Corrections, from various sheriff and police offices, from public defenders, and from Juvenile and Drug Courts, however, lament the effects of our state's budget crisis, I'm convinced that we, as public servants, are more alike than unalike.
This claim was met with resistance when I floated it yesterday, so let me explain the similarities I see:
1. All of us working in the community as employees of Washington state possess education and training that make us professionals at the jobs we're entrusted to do. We want to serve the segment of the public that requests our help, and we want to achieve success and growth in our own personal careers.
2. We are also all regularly called to perform services that exceed and expand our baseline job descriptions. The officers I worked with yesterday did not simply pull over speeders and apprehend crooks. They built relationships with teenagers and encouraged them to stay in school. They provided mediation and sympathy for people in crisis. They took a personal and active interest in the safety and health of people suffering from mental illness. These are daily facets of my job, as well.
3. We are increasingly asked to do our jobs, and more!, with decreasing resources. And our salaries are the smallest part of this complaint. My limitations in serving my students mirror the limitations faced by all of the representatives of the "law and justice" community we've heard from this month. We all know that prevention and crisis support are far more effective than penalties and neglect, and we know that these services require funding! Say what you will about taxes, but all of our institutions rely on them...
I know it's not polite to discuss politics, but doing so once this common ground is explicitly established makes for a productive, if not vote- or political-party-changing, conversation. I am grateful to be reminded of this.
During one of those opportunities yesterday -- a ride along with the Snohomish PD -- I was reminded that law enforcement and academics often see themselves on opposite political sides. Academics like me - I am a member of the Edmonds Community College faculty - certainly have an unflatteringly "liberal" reputation. Ouch!
After hearing representatives from Corrections, from various sheriff and police offices, from public defenders, and from Juvenile and Drug Courts, however, lament the effects of our state's budget crisis, I'm convinced that we, as public servants, are more alike than unalike.
This claim was met with resistance when I floated it yesterday, so let me explain the similarities I see:
1. All of us working in the community as employees of Washington state possess education and training that make us professionals at the jobs we're entrusted to do. We want to serve the segment of the public that requests our help, and we want to achieve success and growth in our own personal careers.
2. We are also all regularly called to perform services that exceed and expand our baseline job descriptions. The officers I worked with yesterday did not simply pull over speeders and apprehend crooks. They built relationships with teenagers and encouraged them to stay in school. They provided mediation and sympathy for people in crisis. They took a personal and active interest in the safety and health of people suffering from mental illness. These are daily facets of my job, as well.
3. We are increasingly asked to do our jobs, and more!, with decreasing resources. And our salaries are the smallest part of this complaint. My limitations in serving my students mirror the limitations faced by all of the representatives of the "law and justice" community we've heard from this month. We all know that prevention and crisis support are far more effective than penalties and neglect, and we know that these services require funding! Say what you will about taxes, but all of our institutions rely on them...
I know it's not polite to discuss politics, but doing so once this common ground is explicitly established makes for a productive, if not vote- or political-party-changing, conversation. I am grateful to be reminded of this.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Reflection
Prior to the first day of our retreat, I had not sat down and thoughtfully reflected on my strengths and personal styles in working with others or as a leader. Unlike many of my colleagues in the best class ever, the LIFO Survey we took that day was my first in-depth analysis at my style. And while I know everyone in that room took something away from the survey, I fully recognize that for me, it was an energizing and enlightening experience.
Let's face it. There are some facts about ourselves that we're not very quick to recognize. Then there are strengths that we may know we have, but we've never taken the time to weigh or evaluate as compared to our other strengths. That day, I was clearly struck by my strengths and weaknesses. I was able to draw connections to my day-to-day tendencies and recognized that, yep, those results were spot-on. Quite eye-opening.
The LSC retreat also made me realize how much you can learn with simple, straight-forward conversations and tasks. The simple act of working silently with teammates to piece together puzzle shapes in geometric patterns was a great experiment in communication. I found that tasks, such as these puzzles, coupled with simple interviews of my colleagues in the best class ever, were remarkable ways to make connections.
I walked out of the retreat with a level of enthusiasm I had not anticipated. The projects are fascinating and worthy of our best work, and while I must admit they seem daunting, I can't wait to see what happens next. Looking forward to what the next six months will bring!
Let's face it. There are some facts about ourselves that we're not very quick to recognize. Then there are strengths that we may know we have, but we've never taken the time to weigh or evaluate as compared to our other strengths. That day, I was clearly struck by my strengths and weaknesses. I was able to draw connections to my day-to-day tendencies and recognized that, yep, those results were spot-on. Quite eye-opening.
The LSC retreat also made me realize how much you can learn with simple, straight-forward conversations and tasks. The simple act of working silently with teammates to piece together puzzle shapes in geometric patterns was a great experiment in communication. I found that tasks, such as these puzzles, coupled with simple interviews of my colleagues in the best class ever, were remarkable ways to make connections.
I walked out of the retreat with a level of enthusiasm I had not anticipated. The projects are fascinating and worthy of our best work, and while I must admit they seem daunting, I can't wait to see what happens next. Looking forward to what the next six months will bring!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Best Class Ever
Why in the world would a Leadership Snohomish County Class want to say that their class was the "Best class ever?"
How did we reach the point where this would be a distinctive character of each of the groups that participated?
Here are some random thoughts that may help answer this:
1. I heard about this course from a Chamber of Commerce meeting. The concept of developing community leaders by grouping together non-profits, students, businesses, and government seemed like an excellent way to get a diversity of thought and focus to achieve a common goal. So, I asked around and found several people at my workplace that had been part of the program. WOW!
I did not expect the response I got from them, overwhelmingly geniuine, heartfelt emotion of having been part of something that was greater than themselves.
2. So, I show up to this class with some mixed emotions. I am not sure how I will fit in, and what I will get out of it. And once again, WOW!
Within the first 2 hours of the meeting, I had the opportunity to meet with some amazing people. Conversation flowed smoothly, depth of character and breadth of thought was readily apparent each time I got the chance talk to someone new or relate to them in an exercise. I went home after the first day and could not contain my excitement. I explained to my wife and kids that I had been able to be in the company of people that "cared" about their community and wanted to make a difference, not because someone told them to do it, but because they wanted to do it.
3. And, coming into the next day it was time to get the group and see where our challenges would lie. The different aspects of the projects and what they could do for the comunity struck a chord with eveyone in the room. After having been in the first day, I knew there was no way to not have a good group to meet those projects head on. The key was how well would we "gel" into a team. WOW!
Even though we had only a short time to go through our thoughts, it was clear that our team was going to be determined, fun and work hard to achieve any of the projects.
In taking in these random thoughts, a pattern became very clear to me. Each individual wanted to give of themselves for their team, class and community. I am sure the classes that preceded ours achieved that goal, and in doing so, became "The best class ever." A title worth fighting for, not for our own recognition, but for our community.
Can't wait to continue the journey with my team and class!
How did we reach the point where this would be a distinctive character of each of the groups that participated?
Here are some random thoughts that may help answer this:
1. I heard about this course from a Chamber of Commerce meeting. The concept of developing community leaders by grouping together non-profits, students, businesses, and government seemed like an excellent way to get a diversity of thought and focus to achieve a common goal. So, I asked around and found several people at my workplace that had been part of the program. WOW!
I did not expect the response I got from them, overwhelmingly geniuine, heartfelt emotion of having been part of something that was greater than themselves.
2. So, I show up to this class with some mixed emotions. I am not sure how I will fit in, and what I will get out of it. And once again, WOW!
Within the first 2 hours of the meeting, I had the opportunity to meet with some amazing people. Conversation flowed smoothly, depth of character and breadth of thought was readily apparent each time I got the chance talk to someone new or relate to them in an exercise. I went home after the first day and could not contain my excitement. I explained to my wife and kids that I had been able to be in the company of people that "cared" about their community and wanted to make a difference, not because someone told them to do it, but because they wanted to do it.
3. And, coming into the next day it was time to get the group and see where our challenges would lie. The different aspects of the projects and what they could do for the comunity struck a chord with eveyone in the room. After having been in the first day, I knew there was no way to not have a good group to meet those projects head on. The key was how well would we "gel" into a team. WOW!
Even though we had only a short time to go through our thoughts, it was clear that our team was going to be determined, fun and work hard to achieve any of the projects.
In taking in these random thoughts, a pattern became very clear to me. Each individual wanted to give of themselves for their team, class and community. I am sure the classes that preceded ours achieved that goal, and in doing so, became "The best class ever." A title worth fighting for, not for our own recognition, but for our community.
Can't wait to continue the journey with my team and class!
Monday, September 27, 2010
I wanna be like Mike...
Who do I wanna be like?
This was the question that ran though my head when instructed to "Think of a time when you willingly followed the direction of someone you admired and respected as a leader" at Leadership Snohomish County's Fall Retreat.
Millions of Gatorade drinking, NBA dreaming, neighborhood court playing youth wanted to be like Michael Jordan in the early 90's. I'm sure some of us still do.
It's true that many consider MJ to be the best basketball player of all time, but did that make him a leader? Maybe, maybe not.
Did Mike make his team members feel confident, capable, imaginative and creative? Were they calm in his presence? Did they feel like they had skills and abilities to bring to the table? Maybe, maybe not.
Did Michael give his team members 100% of his attention and focus when meeting? Did he give praise and encouragement, tell them to run with it when they had an idea that was outside of the box? Did he work hard and care about his job? Was he honest? Did he recognize when it was time to let go, and encourage team members to move on to other opportunities when there was a chance for personal growth? Maybe, maybe not.
I couldn't possibly tell you if Michael Jordan did all of these things with his team. But I can tell you my first non-profit agency supervisor did. And she was a leader. The kind of leader I wanna be like.
This was the question that ran though my head when instructed to "Think of a time when you willingly followed the direction of someone you admired and respected as a leader" at Leadership Snohomish County's Fall Retreat.
Millions of Gatorade drinking, NBA dreaming, neighborhood court playing youth wanted to be like Michael Jordan in the early 90's. I'm sure some of us still do.
It's true that many consider MJ to be the best basketball player of all time, but did that make him a leader? Maybe, maybe not.
Did Mike make his team members feel confident, capable, imaginative and creative? Were they calm in his presence? Did they feel like they had skills and abilities to bring to the table? Maybe, maybe not.
Did Michael give his team members 100% of his attention and focus when meeting? Did he give praise and encouragement, tell them to run with it when they had an idea that was outside of the box? Did he work hard and care about his job? Was he honest? Did he recognize when it was time to let go, and encourage team members to move on to other opportunities when there was a chance for personal growth? Maybe, maybe not.
I couldn't possibly tell you if Michael Jordan did all of these things with his team. But I can tell you my first non-profit agency supervisor did. And she was a leader. The kind of leader I wanna be like.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Cascade Kitchen Remodel, Phase 1 complete!
The LSC team working on the Cascade Boys & Girls Club had a successful work-party over the weekend of Feb. 19th-21st. Our two construction wizzes - Steve Zwaller & Dena Peel - stepped up and did an amazing job planning the construction, procuring the materials and directing those of us less hammer-savvy.
Steve's brother, Rick, who works in commercial construction, was a great help in the big task of leveling the kitchen floor, and his friend Amy also lent a hand.
By the end of the weekend, our intrepid team had completely re-built the kitchen floor, laid new linoleum, re-plumbed the sink and got all the old appliances back in place ready to start cookin' on Monday.
As Steve reported: A lady from the church group was so impressed with the results that she asked if she could hire us to do similar work at a building she owns!"
We're now in the process of purchasing the new kitchen appliances and trying to raise the money to cover those costs!
Monday, January 25, 2010
What Am I Learning In This Program
I have been learning so much about the community I have lived and worked in for most of my life. I am a bit embarrassed about how little I knew about the topics we have covered so far in the Education Days. I have loved everything about the education days, it's my favorite part of the program so far.
I am also learning that I have so much to give my community. I have always "given my all" to my employer and have been proud of what I have accomplished and how I have helped at work, but I have stopped there. I just never realized that I could branch out and do good things for others that I may know nothing about. It just takes commitment, hard work, kindness, the things we all have and can give.
Bonnie Eckley
Current Class member 2010
I am also learning that I have so much to give my community. I have always "given my all" to my employer and have been proud of what I have accomplished and how I have helped at work, but I have stopped there. I just never realized that I could branch out and do good things for others that I may know nothing about. It just takes commitment, hard work, kindness, the things we all have and can give.
Bonnie Eckley
Current Class member 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Leadership Class Project in Process
Our current leadership class is divided into 5 teams and serving 6 non-profit agencies with specific projects.
Watching the Dreamliner
What a treat! At the end of our Business and Economic Development Education Day, I was cleaning up our cups , and packing up to go home. Barry Smith, from the Future of Flight came into the room and said, "Do you want to see something cool?" He brought me and Marc Gerogadis, and Bill DeSelms (Two LSC alumni) onto the flight deck of the Future of Flight building. We had a private showing of the 787 Dreamliner landing. Here's our baby!! A perfect end, to a perfect education day.
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