Consensus Building vs. Winning

Over the past two months, I have been listening to voices on two sides of an important issue in our community. Interestingly enough, both sides have the same ultimate goal; yet the individuals involved see a different path toward achieving that common goal.

I have spent time one-on-one with various members of the nonprofit boards impacted by this conflict, searching for common ground to take baby steps to go forward as each side earns the trust and respect of the other. It has been a frustrating process of one step forward, two steps back.
So why is there a lack of traction and forward momentum?

As I enjoyed solitude on a quiet beach last night, it occurred to me some of the individuals involved in this conflict seem more bent on "winning" than on "consensus building". Giving, during the give and take process, is seen by some as a weakness and as loosing rather than an act of maturity in the negotiation process. This attitude has created an environment where it has been difficult to meet the needs of everyone involved.

When we come to the table to resolve problems, if we truly want to move forward and find solutions, we must be willing to let go of our personal attachment to our ideas. The goal at the table should be to find solutions that work for the common good of all, rather than to "win." Good negotiators build consensus and let go of the concept of, "I am going to get my way! I am going to win!" We cannot bully our way into consensus.

A true win at the end of the day is when all parties feel respected, heard, and considered when working as teams to resolve conflict. When working toward an outcome that truly meets the needs and common good of all, it takes maturity and good self confidence to be willing to let go of the personal idea of being the winner.

After all, in the end, if there is no consensus, and the project falls apart, what is the prize for the winner?

100 Women Who Care Manistee County to Meet July 19

100 Women Who Care Manistee County will meet Tuesday, July 19 at The Bungalow Inn on US 31 South in Manistee. Meetings begin promptly at 5:30pm and end promptly at 6:30pm. This is a membership-driven local organization that significantly funds one deserving Manistee County nonprofit group each quarter. We meet the third Tuesday of January, April, July and October.

Membership has its privileges. As a member, you may submit the name of a local organization you would like to see funded by 100 WWC. At the beginning of each meeting, we draw three names from those submitted. If your name is drawn, you have five minutes to talk about your organization, then members have five minutes to ask you questions about the organization.

After we hear three presentations, members vote for the one they would like to see funded this quarter. The organization receiving the most votes gets funded. All members then write a check for $100 directly to the nonprofit making this a hugely successful, fast, effective, efficient fund raising program requiring members to simply commit to one hour, and $100, four times a year.

Come to a meeting to see if this organization is right for you. While everyone is welcome to share in the meeting and networking, only members may submit a name, participant in meeting discussion, and vote.

100 Men Who Care Manistee meet the third Wednesday of each month, also at The Bungalow Inn, also at 5:30 pm.

The two groups have raised over $70,000 between their 16- one hour meetings.

100 Who Care Manistee County, MI Report Record Giving

    

            100 Women Who Care Manistee County along with 100 Men Who Care Manistee saw record giving at their second quarter meetings in April. With collection complete for both the men and the women’s care groups, combined, members gave $9,375 during their one-hour meetings.

            The women selected The Prom Boutique, an organization founded by Adelle Falan in 2004 as part of the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body’s “In Their Shoes” event. The Boutique provides young women in Manistee County with free gowns, shoes, and jewelry for prom, homecoming and similar events. The Boutique has a permanent location in The Briny Building that rivals any quality retail bridal and dress shop.

            According the Falan, the $6,600 raised in April by 100 Women Who Care will be used in part to purchase dresses in sizes they lack, help with dress cleaning costs, and to purchase accessories the girls often need. They operate exclusively with an all-volunteer staff.

            The Meals on Wheels program was the recipient of $2,750 from 100 Men Who Care. This program provides meals to the homebound throughout the county. An additional $25 was given by a donor to another agency that presented at the women’s group.

            “We are nearing our goal of 100 members,” said Jennie Marie Naffie, co-founder of 100 Women Who Care in Manistee County. “This is just so exciting. I love to learn about all these important agencies in our county…and I love the energy in the room. These women take this process seriously.”

            At each one-hour meeting, members hear from three agencies then vote on the agency they want to fund that quarter. The groups meet for one hour in January, April, July, and October. Members know when they sign on that they will only be asked to attend four meetings per year, for one hour each, and to write a check for $100 to the selected agency at each meeting.

            No ticket sales, no bake sales, no fuss. Just effective, efficient short meetings that significantly fund deserving agencies in Manistee County. Every dollar raised stays in the County. Over $70,000 has been raised to date from 100 Who Care members in Manistee County.

            Meetings are open to everyone.  Meetings are held at The Bungalow Inn  in Manistee, MI from 5:30-6:30 pm. For more information contact Judy Crockett at womensnetworkmanistee@gmail.com

PHOTO:  Adalle Falan, Founder of The Prom Boutique in Manistee County, MI and Judy Crockett, Co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Manistee County