In order to teach my daughter that Christmas is not just about receiving gifts, I started a new tradition. That each of us, me, Stephen and Miranda would make a wish for each of us by writing it down and then placing the wish in our stocking. Stockings would be opened Christmas morning.
I think this will lead to very interesting observations from Miranda in years to come. It was a great exercise to think very deeply about your hopes for the people you love most in this world.
My wishes for myself were:
more clients
more advocacy work
enjoying my life more through smarter choices about how to spend my time.
Each of us asked Miranda privately what she wanted for each of us. For me she said....
On busy Christmas Day it was really calming to take my series of notes away quietly and enjoy what Miranda and Stephen had wished for me.
I was delighted that among a few wishes, Stephen also dreamed: 'that you have more time for yourself'. ah.. now to make it happen.
Here's to a wonderful 2009!
Michelle
xxx
18 January 2009
30 April 2008
Fun Run on Mothers' Day
Hello
This Mothers Day, my partner Stephen and daughter Miranda will join me in the 4klms walk as part of the MothersDay Classic, an event organised to aid Breast Cancer research. See www.mothersdayclassic.org.
I have a number of motivations. The first, to do something with the darlings of my life; secondly, to encourage me to move more!
This is a very good cause. Getting older has made me more conscious of health issues. I am shocked at how prevalent breast cancer is among women aged over 40.
From a professional point of view, it will be interesting to observe how 'the big guns do it'. That is, the professional, large scale charities.
I meet with a group of consultants, monthly, who specialise in working with NGOs. They offer a range of services from marketing, HR, fundraising and grant seeking. Some have completed the Grad Cert & Masters at the Aust Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at QUT. I have learnt many things from this wonderful group of women.
We have discussed the ongoing sustainability of NGOs. I think of it all the time in relation to the small organisation that I chair. We have had many discussions about the value of philanthropy and what it means to organisations. Government funding can often be too restrictive and is not enough to do the work that is required.
Watch this space more, I will pick this thread up again as my thoughts evolve.
Some links of interest:
p://philanthropy.org.au/index.html
http://www.fia.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About
http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/research/cpns/
This Mothers Day, my partner Stephen and daughter Miranda will join me in the 4klms walk as part of the MothersDay Classic, an event organised to aid Breast Cancer research. See www.mothersdayclassic.org.
I have a number of motivations. The first, to do something with the darlings of my life; secondly, to encourage me to move more!
This is a very good cause. Getting older has made me more conscious of health issues. I am shocked at how prevalent breast cancer is among women aged over 40.
From a professional point of view, it will be interesting to observe how 'the big guns do it'. That is, the professional, large scale charities.
I meet with a group of consultants, monthly, who specialise in working with NGOs. They offer a range of services from marketing, HR, fundraising and grant seeking. Some have completed the Grad Cert & Masters at the Aust Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at QUT. I have learnt many things from this wonderful group of women.
We have discussed the ongoing sustainability of NGOs. I think of it all the time in relation to the small organisation that I chair. We have had many discussions about the value of philanthropy and what it means to organisations. Government funding can often be too restrictive and is not enough to do the work that is required.
Watch this space more, I will pick this thread up again as my thoughts evolve.
Some links of interest:
p://philanthropy.org.au/index.html
http://www.fia.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About
http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/research/cpns/
25 April 2008
Social Entrepreneurship
Edgeware whose tagline is "Have fun, make money, save the world" (says it all really!) have announced a new round of their unique brand of training and support for start ups. This time in parternship with the Youth Affairs Network of Queensland to deliver the course focused on social enterprises.
Brisbane BYB (focus on Social Entrepreneurship)
Thursday 22 May, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 29 May, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 5 June, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 12 June, 9am-4.30pm
Venue: Brisbane Central location, TBA
For further information contact Michael Doneman at www.edgeware.com.au
As an 'Edgie' I would definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to develop any new business or add a business arm to an existing NGO.
Cheers
Michelle
Brisbane BYB (focus on Social Entrepreneurship)
Thursday 22 May, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 29 May, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 5 June, 9am-4.30pm
Thursday 12 June, 9am-4.30pm
Venue: Brisbane Central location, TBA
For further information contact Michael Doneman at www.edgeware.com.au
As an 'Edgie' I would definitely recommend this course to anyone wanting to develop any new business or add a business arm to an existing NGO.
Cheers
Michelle
19 April 2008
2020 Summit
Well I am back. I never really went anywhere. Yes I am committed to this blog, I just well haven't been committing my ideas to this column. I have thought of plenty, but time has escaped me.
Alas, spurned on by this weekend's 2020 Summit, I thought a blog with the title 'You gotta have ideas' should surely be participating in this national event.
I did attend, two weeks ago, a local 2020 Summit organised by my local Member, Kevin Rudd MP and the new Member for Bonner, Kerry Rea MP. I was impressed by the event. It did not include the 'usual suspects' of people who lobby politicans regularly. My impression was that it was very grassroots and I was more than impressed with the school students who attended.
Now the real summit is on in the big house in Canberra. I have read some of coverage and analysis; apparently Canberra hasn't been buzzing this much since 'Bob Hawke walked across Lake Burley Griffin on the night of the '83 election' (Bernard Keane, Crikey.com.au).
Tonight's coverage has been dominated by pictures of the milky skinned Cate Blanchett; having given birth only six days before was leading the discussion on Creative Australia. Thankfully, she exploded the myth that she is the embodiment of Superwoman by saying where she would normally have been:
"It is a measure of my belief in the weekend that I am here at all, as you could imagine I would rather be in bed," (ninemsn.com.au). But she is a Super Woman I reckon.
2020 participants had to submit 200 words on their big idea. But that wasn't all, they also had to submit 100 words outlining an issue where they have completely changed their views. Crikey.com.au invited participants to submit their entries and have published them on their website.
As a Mum, running a small business, I am often a couple of days behind the world, so I haven't submitted my big idea to the 2020 Summit via the net, so here, late at night, I will for the record cast some ideas to the wind.
In no particular order:
1. Mandate that sustainability frameworks are part of all government, private and non-government sectors decision making.
2. Rethink the current connections and structures between government,non-government and philantropic organisations in order to achieve better outcomes on the ground.
3. A bill of rights enshrining the right to a home. This will force the Commonwealth and State to take action and maintain action on homelessness.
4. State and Commonwealth Budgets to produce a Children's Budget. Every department has to do up a Children's Budget statement which indicates how their programs will affect children.
5. Allow community housing providers to use the equity in the government housing they manage in order to grow affordable housing stock.
6. Look at violence in our culture. Family violence, youth violence - how can we get rid of this really destructive flaw in our communities.
And I have changed my mind on.....
My lecturer from Swinburne University told me about a program in the United States which provided mostly African-American sole parent mothers with housing. In order to maintain that housing they had to enter into education or training programs. Most exited into private rental or home ownership after completing their qualifications. Apparently this program lifted a generation of sole parent led families out of poverty. This represents an example of thinking differently, of beyond left and right. As a committed leftie, I am shuddering at the thought of the words I have just written. But with results such as those, thinking differently might just do the trick.
Good luck to the 2020 participants. The summit has been bagged by some quarters of the commetariat. 'It has to come out with stuff, it is just a talkfest.' yea, yea. I have every confidence that good ideas will emerge. I have faith in a process that facilitates people connecting with each to talk about making our country the best that it can be in 2020.
Cheers
Michelle
Alas, spurned on by this weekend's 2020 Summit, I thought a blog with the title 'You gotta have ideas' should surely be participating in this national event.
I did attend, two weeks ago, a local 2020 Summit organised by my local Member, Kevin Rudd MP and the new Member for Bonner, Kerry Rea MP. I was impressed by the event. It did not include the 'usual suspects' of people who lobby politicans regularly. My impression was that it was very grassroots and I was more than impressed with the school students who attended.
Now the real summit is on in the big house in Canberra. I have read some of coverage and analysis; apparently Canberra hasn't been buzzing this much since 'Bob Hawke walked across Lake Burley Griffin on the night of the '83 election' (Bernard Keane, Crikey.com.au).
Tonight's coverage has been dominated by pictures of the milky skinned Cate Blanchett; having given birth only six days before was leading the discussion on Creative Australia. Thankfully, she exploded the myth that she is the embodiment of Superwoman by saying where she would normally have been:
"It is a measure of my belief in the weekend that I am here at all, as you could imagine I would rather be in bed," (ninemsn.com.au). But she is a Super Woman I reckon.
2020 participants had to submit 200 words on their big idea. But that wasn't all, they also had to submit 100 words outlining an issue where they have completely changed their views. Crikey.com.au invited participants to submit their entries and have published them on their website.
As a Mum, running a small business, I am often a couple of days behind the world, so I haven't submitted my big idea to the 2020 Summit via the net, so here, late at night, I will for the record cast some ideas to the wind.
In no particular order:
1. Mandate that sustainability frameworks are part of all government, private and non-government sectors decision making.
2. Rethink the current connections and structures between government,non-government and philantropic organisations in order to achieve better outcomes on the ground.
3. A bill of rights enshrining the right to a home. This will force the Commonwealth and State to take action and maintain action on homelessness.
4. State and Commonwealth Budgets to produce a Children's Budget. Every department has to do up a Children's Budget statement which indicates how their programs will affect children.
5. Allow community housing providers to use the equity in the government housing they manage in order to grow affordable housing stock.
6. Look at violence in our culture. Family violence, youth violence - how can we get rid of this really destructive flaw in our communities.
And I have changed my mind on.....
My lecturer from Swinburne University told me about a program in the United States which provided mostly African-American sole parent mothers with housing. In order to maintain that housing they had to enter into education or training programs. Most exited into private rental or home ownership after completing their qualifications. Apparently this program lifted a generation of sole parent led families out of poverty. This represents an example of thinking differently, of beyond left and right. As a committed leftie, I am shuddering at the thought of the words I have just written. But with results such as those, thinking differently might just do the trick.
Good luck to the 2020 participants. The summit has been bagged by some quarters of the commetariat. 'It has to come out with stuff, it is just a talkfest.' yea, yea. I have every confidence that good ideas will emerge. I have faith in a process that facilitates people connecting with each to talk about making our country the best that it can be in 2020.
Cheers
Michelle
17 October 2007
Cutting in Cutting Through
Hi
In the last month I have attended two sessions of a workshop, "Cutting in Cutting Through" presented by Dr Wendy McIntosh of Davaar Consultancy Training and Development.
The workshop was designed for health and community sector staff who work with people who self-harm.
While the subject matter is intense, Wendy's facilitation style is powerful and fast paced. Wendy warms people up in the morning session, through some group activities and discussion about the key concepts related to why people self-harm.
In the afternoon session, I saw Wendy in full flight using psychodrama as a training technique.
Psychodrama, or 'drama for the soul' was developed by J L Moreno. Unlike Freud, who developed psychodrama with the doctor as the all knowing expert, Moreno believed people were experts in their own lives. Psychodrama provides the platform for people to be experts through role playing their stories. Role playing allows for self-reflection and change.
At the training, participants shared stories of their own roles while working with clients who self-harm. Participants then chose which stories they would like see 'acted out'. Wendy played director as participants re-enacted the interactions between staff and clients.
In order to really appreciate what it is like to 'walk in another's shoes', Wendy asked participants to swap the role of worker to that of client. The participants who found themselves in the role of client reported that it gave them a greater appreciation of their client's experience. This provided the platform for them to relfect on their own practice and think through future interactions. Wendy challenged participants to swap back to being the worker and try another approach or intervention given the new insight.
It was powerful and transforming. I think it is an amazing training tool. Adult learning principles include 'experiential' training methods and this is a fantastic choice for human services where training is in a simulated environment.
Wendy is a gifted trainer and I feel so fortunate that she is sharing her experiences and skills with me.
Regards
Michelle
In the last month I have attended two sessions of a workshop, "Cutting in Cutting Through" presented by Dr Wendy McIntosh of Davaar Consultancy Training and Development.
The workshop was designed for health and community sector staff who work with people who self-harm.
While the subject matter is intense, Wendy's facilitation style is powerful and fast paced. Wendy warms people up in the morning session, through some group activities and discussion about the key concepts related to why people self-harm.
In the afternoon session, I saw Wendy in full flight using psychodrama as a training technique.
Psychodrama, or 'drama for the soul' was developed by J L Moreno. Unlike Freud, who developed psychodrama with the doctor as the all knowing expert, Moreno believed people were experts in their own lives. Psychodrama provides the platform for people to be experts through role playing their stories. Role playing allows for self-reflection and change.
At the training, participants shared stories of their own roles while working with clients who self-harm. Participants then chose which stories they would like see 'acted out'. Wendy played director as participants re-enacted the interactions between staff and clients.
In order to really appreciate what it is like to 'walk in another's shoes', Wendy asked participants to swap the role of worker to that of client. The participants who found themselves in the role of client reported that it gave them a greater appreciation of their client's experience. This provided the platform for them to relfect on their own practice and think through future interactions. Wendy challenged participants to swap back to being the worker and try another approach or intervention given the new insight.
It was powerful and transforming. I think it is an amazing training tool. Adult learning principles include 'experiential' training methods and this is a fantastic choice for human services where training is in a simulated environment.
Wendy is a gifted trainer and I feel so fortunate that she is sharing her experiences and skills with me.
Regards
Michelle
24 September 2007
Everyone needs tools.
Since my last post about the Edgeware course, I have attended two events in program.
The first was a day long session "Backpack" facilitated by Dr Ian Dover of Alitek Consultants.
Ian's approach to business is to summed up by five principles he introduced us to:
1. Use simple thinking and tools, "adding complexity to cope with complexity is a seriously flawed approach".
2. Solve problems consistently. Now, where how. Look at where you are now, assume you are very successful (ie where you want to be) and then devise the strategies that will get you there (the how).
3. Use 80/20 thinking. This was very new to me - but this relates to the idea that the great majority of inputs only have marginal impact, eg "20% of your effort will gie you 80% of the the results". So really target your activities.
4. Understand customer value. That is, understand what your customer wants, needs, desires to be successful.
5. The wisdom of crowds. Great advice here. Ian says planning is a social process so get the opinions of those that you respect. This idea is a favourite of Michael Doneman of Edgeware.
Working in a setting which is not typical, I don't manufacture something to sell, these concepts take alot of absorbing to apply in the context of consulting to NGO's and government. Essentially my product is labour and intellectual property. Although, I am developing training content around 'Understanding homelessness'.
Some of the tools that Ian shared with us were useful in understanding 'where to start' what are my priorities, where am I going.
These tools are so practical they have wider application. NGOs also have to think about what next and how do we get their would find these tools useful.
A valuable day and I got to touch an Iphone for the first time!! Nimer Jaber sells computer equipment including Macs. Nimer let me fondle it! It was beautiful..... But we won't be seeing them in Australia for sometime apparently.
Have a great day to all.
Michelle
The first was a day long session "Backpack" facilitated by Dr Ian Dover of Alitek Consultants.
Ian's approach to business is to summed up by five principles he introduced us to:
1. Use simple thinking and tools, "adding complexity to cope with complexity is a seriously flawed approach".
2. Solve problems consistently. Now, where how. Look at where you are now, assume you are very successful (ie where you want to be) and then devise the strategies that will get you there (the how).
3. Use 80/20 thinking. This was very new to me - but this relates to the idea that the great majority of inputs only have marginal impact, eg "20% of your effort will gie you 80% of the the results". So really target your activities.
4. Understand customer value. That is, understand what your customer wants, needs, desires to be successful.
5. The wisdom of crowds. Great advice here. Ian says planning is a social process so get the opinions of those that you respect. This idea is a favourite of Michael Doneman of Edgeware.
Working in a setting which is not typical, I don't manufacture something to sell, these concepts take alot of absorbing to apply in the context of consulting to NGO's and government. Essentially my product is labour and intellectual property. Although, I am developing training content around 'Understanding homelessness'.
Some of the tools that Ian shared with us were useful in understanding 'where to start' what are my priorities, where am I going.
These tools are so practical they have wider application. NGOs also have to think about what next and how do we get their would find these tools useful.
A valuable day and I got to touch an Iphone for the first time!! Nimer Jaber sells computer equipment including Macs. Nimer let me fondle it! It was beautiful..... But we won't be seeing them in Australia for sometime apparently.
Have a great day to all.
Michelle
20 September 2007
Moments that change your life
I imagined this blog would be a discussion of ideas related to my professional life. But this week a couple of events have occurred which have made quite an impact.
First, my cousin lost her (almost) 6 year old daughter. Ellie was born with enormous challenges, missing a chromosome and having heart surgery before she turned one. However, she left her mark and was adored by her family. I feel greatly for Ellie, her mother and grandparents. How do you fill your life after losing a child?
Secondly, my husband got a phone call from an old school friend. Unfortunately, the called included bad news as he was informed of the death of an old school friend. Cameron, a teacher, was 41years old and a father of three, the youngest was only born last year. Cameron was riding his motor bike and reports indicate that the 87 year old driver of the car that hit him veered onto the wrong side of the road. The pictures of the accident show it was a lovely blue shy day and the it occurred on a suburban street on the sunshine coast.
Tragic. Tragedy. How hard is life sometimes?
I promise to ALWAYS be nice to my husband. And enjoy each and every day.
(BTW, why is anyone driving a car at the age of 87?)
Michelle
First, my cousin lost her (almost) 6 year old daughter. Ellie was born with enormous challenges, missing a chromosome and having heart surgery before she turned one. However, she left her mark and was adored by her family. I feel greatly for Ellie, her mother and grandparents. How do you fill your life after losing a child?
Secondly, my husband got a phone call from an old school friend. Unfortunately, the called included bad news as he was informed of the death of an old school friend. Cameron, a teacher, was 41years old and a father of three, the youngest was only born last year. Cameron was riding his motor bike and reports indicate that the 87 year old driver of the car that hit him veered onto the wrong side of the road. The pictures of the accident show it was a lovely blue shy day and the it occurred on a suburban street on the sunshine coast.
Tragic. Tragedy. How hard is life sometimes?
I promise to ALWAYS be nice to my husband. And enjoy each and every day.
(BTW, why is anyone driving a car at the age of 87?)
Michelle
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