LUE-42 Enterprises May 2023 Ezine

I Believe In Fairness, Fun, And Sharing What I’ve Learned

With The People Who Make This Planet A Great Place To Live

Issue 147, May 2023

My goodness, April was full full full, and (mostly) in the best possible ways. It started at home and ended in Calgary, with many adventures along the way.

For breweries, I hit some of my usual haunts and tried some new ones. My beer crew did a beer exchange on Good Friday (had to wait until after Lent!) and so I have been enjoying 24 days of new beer curated by friends.

The transition of my friend to supportive living has been a challenge for both of us. Any move is stressful, and one like this is especially laden. Thanks to all the other care givers who have supported us in this. We're not finished imposing on you yet..

Thanks also to everyone who reached out to help me solve my Windows 11 issue. My wonderful, reliable bookkeeper and friend Heather Lyon got me to the other side.

It was a busy time for theatre. I have (finally) started working on a new play and I also helped a friend with his at the Stage Struck Festival. It did me good to spend time in the company of people who make magic on stage for our enjoyment. I saw some outstanding shows at Festivals and various theatre companies. Dinner with theatre friends was icing on a delicious cake.

Music and dance also factored in, and I've been enjoying my great-niece's recitals. I am a new fan of hip-hop dance -- it seems very inclusive and looks like a ton of fun. To quote family, "That's a lot of bass for 9:00 am on a Sunday!"

My longest standing client, CIPH, is 90 years old. The national Chair and President of this impressive industry association came through Edmonton for a series of events. Once was a Past Chair's dinner, and I enjoyed seeing so many of the leaders I have worked with over the last 20+ years. Each was asked to share what they were most proud of from their time as Chair. It was fascinating and got me to thinking about legacy. Sure, we can just mark our time on earth, but the idea of leaving a positive impact is even more exciting.

I shared meals with family and friends, old and new, and even got caught up with a long lost cousin. Our origin and life stories are so different that it's hard to believe we are even related. I suppose that's even true of my siblings, so never mind...

April usually is the start of AGM season and the wrapping up of Board activities before summer. It is around this time that organizations thank their volunteers and welcome new members. It is also a time when Board problems become very visible. I am finding that people, in general, are being more contrary and petty but Boards? Wow, they are going next level of wonky behaviour. Maybe we should all take a deep breath and see if we can get through to summer without hurting or killing each other.

It's time to get the fire pits going (where regulations permit) and have a weenie roast. That means it's also time to put my lawn chair in my vehicle so I can crash your weenie roast. All this can only mean that CFL training camp is right around the corner. I'm ready!

/lmwe

"With the coming of spring,

I am calm again."

-- Gustav Mahler

4 Ws of

Good Boards

Recently in Forbes.com Laura MacDonald talked about The 4 W's: Building a Better Board. She said this approach is an upgrade from the old "give, get, or get off" that we used to hear about in charitable organizations.

Setting aside the expectation of philanthropy from board members, MacDonald talks about a new approach to boards that focuses on other traits. The key is not only in the individual traits that a director brings to the table, but also how they perform as part of the (board) team. She says, "Cooperation and collegiality are the lubricants that unify individual board members' talents into a team greater than the sum of its parts."

The duties of directors outlined in legislation are just scratching the surface of what directors need to do; the minimum standard (which is far from best practice).

MacDonald says the best boards have a balance of Work, Wisdom, Wealth, and Wit (which equates to culture). The imbalance in any one area weakens the board's effectiveness. Here's what she means:

Work: Directors contribute their expertise; we channel their skills in a beneficial way. The work is performed willingly.

Wisdom: Directors come to meetings prepared. They listen, ask good questions, and "dispense advice sparingly." Once the decision is made, they speak with one voice. They exercise good judgement at the table and in the community. They are loyal advocates of the organization.

Wealth: Nonprofits run on financial capital like every one else, and directors are (may be) expected to help provide it.

Wit: This is the cultural fit that brings out the best in the director. "Wit reveals a culture of inquiry where board members' questions are rooted in a desire to learn and understand." MacDonald says that a director who disrupts culture isn't worth any amount of work, wisdom, or wealth that he/she/they provide. (Huzzah!)

BoardSource describes "purpose-driven culture" as one focused on commitment, equity, and respect for those impacted by the work. MacDonald notes that greater board diversity can help move the dial in this regard. And isn't impact what we're all shooting for?

Here is the article

/lmwe

Fortune Mag on Diversity

Diversity is on our radar (it should be) and it's not going away (it shouldn't be). A recent article in Fortune.com did a great job of reminding us of the "why". There is plenty to like in the article, but this paragraph was enough of a "why" for me.

"Right now, boards are homogeneous. Such a uniform composition does not reflect the diversity of the organization’s workers nor the customers they serve. The average age of an S&P 500 board member is 63.1 and the average age of first-time board members is 54.4. Boards continue to be male-dominated. They are 78% white. Only 32% are female and <1% LGBTQ+ (when disclosed). With diversity being a “fact,” we are clearly not where we need to be."

Here is the article.

Missing my mom on Mother's Day and every day.

Some People Who Made Life Better in April

MaryJane Alanko, Kirsten Baxter, David Cheoros, Jonathan Cote, Ben Franchuk, Francie Goodwin-Davies, Carrie Habinski, Marilyn Hooper/Tom Emmans, Sue Huff/Kevin Tokarsky, Dave Hughes, Pat Johnston, Sue Kruszewski, Heather Lyon, Janey McCurdy, Jenny/Adesh/ Aliya Narine, Andy Northrup, Erin O'Neill, Gerald Osborn, Bonnie Patrick, Mary Paul, Clayton Plamonden, Carole Ross, Kathy Roy, Wanda Stephens, Ralph Suppa, Theresa Tsoukalas, Doug Verdun, Gerry West, Gord West, Lil West, Chris Wood/Bobbie Fitzgerald, Jill Wood

“A real friend is one who walks

in when the rest of the

world walks out.”

-- Walter Winchell