Leading in the Community POWER of IMPOSSIBLE THINKING Dr. Sharianne Walker

Agenda for Today’s Session 1.Apply Impossible Thinking Models to Community Leadership (One Act Simulation) 2. Identify Responsibilities of Community/Board Leadership 3. Complete Individual Board Profile 4. Explore Realities of Board Leadership (Interactive Panel Discussion) 5. Identify Strategies that Encourage High Involvement of Board Members

Premise The efficacy of the community organization is largely based on the efforts of volunteers and board involvement. The quality of one’s life is directly decided by one’s own involvement in community.

Two Perspectives Working with a board –Government, community, professional association, business Serving on a board –Community, government, non-profit, professional association, business

“Board Silly” Play Doh Foundation A case study in community leadership designed to encourage discussion of board effectiveness and to examine attributes and responsibilities of board members. One Act Simulation

What are the Learning/Leadership Styles of each Board member? (Ferris) Was this Board meeting effective? What could have been better? (Problem-solving model introduced by Hess and Pelosi/Impossible Thinking model of Pelosi and Kappenman.) How do your observations align with your list of criteria for effective board members? Questions for Consideration

1.Committed to organizational mission and purpose 2.Informed (Policy vs. Working Board) 3.Understand and exercise fiduciary responsibility – you are a trustee. 4.Contribute –Time –Money –Expertise –Standing Board Member Responsibilities

To motivate and inspire To include others, encourage participation To lead by example – set expectations To communicate To be knowledgeable and informed To honor process Community Board Leadership

Board Member Profile Grid Self Evaluation of Board Candidacy Board Member Contribution and Candidacy

An interactive panel discussion with community leaders Allan Blair Rob Ostberg Greg Malynoski Realities of Board Membership

Challenges/Solutions (Corbett, 2005) –Time/Overload (Spot Jobs) –Burn-out (Social Activities, Productive Necessary Meetings) –Knowledge Void (Training Sessions, Site Visits, Emphasize Communication) –Vulnerability/Liability (Smart Questions, Bonded, Board Insurance) –Meaningful Community Service (Selective) High Involvement Board Members

Please visit… throughout the course of Leadership 2006 for PowerPoint Presentations and notes Bibliographies Online Articles and Resources ONLINE

Lead Your Community… Thank You!