I’m here in Winona, MN – my annual faculty sojourn with the masters program in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s University. Marvelous and rigorous program for those who want to focus on leadership and scholarship to build stronger organizations, stronger communities, and a stronger world.
Cohort 20 and I just finished some great conversations that produced some cage-rattling questions for professionals, the profession, charitable organizations, and society itself. Questions like:
1. What does trust mean? Why does it matter?
2. Who is the nonprofit accountable to?
3. How comfortable are you being lost?
4. What makes someone part of a community? What does being part of a community entitle us to, obligate us for?
5. Why does society seem to feel that nonprofits should operate in “poverty-like” ways?
6. Why does a willingness to accept lower wages (than for-profits) seem to be an indicator or qualification for working in the nonprofit sector?
And here’s more from Cohort 20…bumper stickers!
1. Is lost actually found?
2. Don’t mistake leadership for strong talking.
3. Perhaps it’s called development because we find the answer – only questions that lead to more questions.
4. Rise up!
5. Mutiny!
