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 

Manistee Effort to Collect Purses for Women in Shelters Spreads - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Manistee Effort to Collect Purses for Women in Shelters Spreads - Northern Michigan's News Leader



I love what this effort has morphed into across the state of Michigan. Women are good to other women. Women do care for other women. Women are generous with other women. The idea of filling a good purse with lovely personal items to make another woman feel special and loved has touched the hearts of those who give...and those who receive. Watch for more information on the project's Face Book  site  Christmas Carol Purse Project.



My heart is warmed by how this simple idea has moved so many to compassion.

Bringing Out The Best in Women Working With Women...Women Who Can Get it Done!

It started with an idea hatched during a semi-sleepless night. In three short weeks, it has grown into a brand. The Christmas Carol Purse Project was to provide about a dozen new or gently used purses, filled with lovely things a woman would love for Christmas, to a local Manistee area domestic violence shelter for distribution at Christmas.

As I write this, there are five local projects, reaching eight or more Michigan counties, with a total of nearly 700 beautifully wrapped and ready for gifting purses filled with scarves, lotions, personal care items, books, tea, chocolate, gloves, hats, jewelry, and so much more. That number continues to grow.

Carol Atkins was a powerhouse of a woman who spent her entire adult life fighting for women's rights - human rights to be sure. She was an author, a poet, a playwright, an activist, a wife, a mother, a friend.  Late in her life, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She was a co-founder of CHOICE of Manistee, a domestic violence shelter in Manistee.

Kathy Lightbody, Brand Communications Director
 at Automotive News, Crain Communications in Detroit
delivers a load of purses donated to the Purse Project. Over
700 purses have been collected statewide in Michigan.
 

So it was natural to me to want to name this project after Carol when this idea hatched one night in late November. Carol inspired me in life - and she continues to influence me in the years since she passed from this life. When I met Carol in 2002, she was tiny, soft spoken, with fiery eyes, wit, a knowing smile, and a sharp mind. She fought long and hard in the early days for rights for women. I loved to listen to her, learn from her, and be present with her just to feel the strength her tiny frame could not contain. Carol would be proud to watch this project grow as women around the state and beyond are giving generously to help other women in need...continuing her tradition of caring for other women.

Learn more about the Christmas Carol Purse Project on Face Book. Next year, we will have a website and branded materials to help grow this exciting project in any community interested in coordinating. We are adding a project for men, too as we will begin collecting shaving kits for men for Christmas 2016.

We see a lot of pain on television and read many sad stories in the press. We hear about women unable to get along with other women. Here is a story that will warm your heart and reaffirm the generosity of Americans and the true spirit of women working together. Merry Christmas everyone...and hats off to you, Carol. You continue to inspire me. And to the many, many women working to make this such a awesome project: You have renewed my spirit and filled my heart!

Charitable Giving and Our Youth

I have spent a great deal of time this past week contemplating charitable giving, sharing stories, talking about need in our community, and of course, donating time and dollars through 100 Women Who Care Manistee County.

This past week, both 100 Men and 100 Women Who Care held their quarterly meetings. The newly-founded men's group raised about $3,000 in one hour, the women in their second year raised about $6,000. PLUS: An anonymous donor at the women's meeting wrote a second personal check for $2,000 to assist one of the presenting organizations who did not receive funding from the group that night. Together, over $11,000 was raised through this efficient, effective process.

In addition, discussion has begun on forming 100 Youth Who Care Manistee County. It simply makes sense. Educating and engaging youth in discussions about the various nonprofit organizations in the county at an early age will prepare them to support and serve others in our community throughout their lives. Currently, YAC - - Youth Advisory Committee of the Manistee County Community Foundation does just that -- they are engaging our youth in the development of our communities in Manistee County.

100 Who Care not only raise dollars. These meetings are a place to raise awareness of the good work going on throughout Manistee County by tireless, generous volunteers. HATS OFF to each and every person giving time, energy, and money.

Just a day after our meeting, I had the opportunity to talk to the local director/mentor of Staircase Youth Services, a program that is dedicated to assisting at-risk, runaway, and/or homeless youth in West Michigan - - specifically this woman serves in Manistee County.

The cause for teens at-risk can stem from many sources including sexual, physical, and/or substance abuse, divorce, illness, pregnancy, and/or communication breakdown in the family. With early intervention, some of these problems can be prevented from becoming legal or even life-threatening issues. Learning more about the critical work of this agency, I could not help think how important it is that we care deeply and gently for our youth - - who often for reasons much beyond their control - - find themselves in situations of crisis.

I also learned that anonymous donors have contributed to Staircase in some of the most unusual, but beneficial ways: dollars of course, but also rolling suitcases, fresh, new blankets, hygiene and hair care products, movie theater passes, school supplies. Some folks have hired youth in this program to rake their lawns, etc. as they work to earn money to fund driver's education or pay to get a driver's license. (That in itself is a huge expense; but a license is important when trying to get a job or attend school.)

As you go about your week, I invite you to ponder our youth as both important contributors to Manistee County, as well as tender, fragile young people trying to make it in what can sometimes be very difficult situations. Also keep the program counselors and directors in your thoughts - their work with youth, the aging, and those in crisis too often goes unnoticed or is misunderstood.

There are so many ways you can help our youth in Manistee County - - check out www.staircaseyouthservices.org to learn more.

Building Consumer Confidence Every Day!

Check out these tips from experts on Building Consumer Confidence. Make it a habit to build some of these tips into your business -- to grow your business. 

One of my favorite tips is included:

56. Say "YES" to Earn Confidence

Say YES! If you want to build consumer confidence, give your business a positive makeover. Remove signs posted (especially near the door) that have negative messages: "No Restrooms." "No Personal Checks." "No Soliciting."
Greet customers with a smile and answer phone calls with joy in your voice. Make me feel like you enjoy having me as a customer. When your customers ask a question, answer with a "Yes, we can do that!" style of an answer and then do it. You will earn their trust.

Thanks to: Judy Crockett of Interactive Mktg & Communication.

 

See all the tips by clicking on the link below.

http://www.carolroth.com/blog/tips-for-building-consumer-confidence-in-your-company