Why is it so hard to get any thing done correctly?

Yesterday, at the Clayton offices of Gallup Johnson and Neuman, I attended a Young Leadership Focus Group. I had little idea of what to expect, and the outcome was far different from what those, who did know what to expect, had anticipated.

When I was asked to be part of the focus group to help create an innovative community-wide leadership development initiative, I was flattered... and not entirely certain what I had signed up for.

At the GJN offices, around a huge board room table, two consultants from the East Coast explained that they wanted to know our thoughts on the development needs in the community.

The conversation quickly took a turn towards discussing engagement and marketing, as opposed to developing the already engaged members of the community.

This didn't sit well with one of the participants, who maintained that this was not to forum to discuss those issues, as it was about providing development opportunities for those already plugged in.

The fact is, so it seems, that these two issues, of engaging and developing new leaders, as well as providing deeper and more robust training for those on boards and moving through that nebulous world, are deeply tied together, even as they are wholly different discussions.

The number of people who are deeply involved with cabinets and boards is fairly small, and that crew seems to recycle people from one board to the next.

As important as it is to make sure that those people are equipped with the necessary skills to be effective board member and lay leaders, the other side to that coin is bringing in and engaging new talent.

There is a careful balance that must be struck between making it appear to be an honor to be on a board, and making the boards too elite.

By all accounts, it was an interesting meeting, sparked some great discussions, and make a few connections.

We'll be interested to see what develops and will keep you posted.

What do you think are the community leadership development needs?
Read More......

The Case for Next Dor

We have been making a good deal of progress since we first unveiled the Next Dor Proposal. As I speak to more and more people in the community, it is becoming more and more clear that there needs to be a place with the capacity and the environment to incubate the post-college Jewish community in St. Louis

Two weeks ago tonight, we hosted 28 Jewish young adults at our house.

We ran out of forks, and chairs.

Tonight, as we get close (or even surpass) that number, it is clearer than ever that the basic demand exists. We are very much here and need a space in which to connect.

Case in point: I reached out to someone on Facebook recently who is new to St. Louis. "Are there any cool Jewish events going on?" She asked, "Events that actually get people to show up?"

But it isn't just the post-college Yids who are clamoring for something to happen.

Last Friday night, I went to a St. Louis Reform Synagogue with a friend to hear him lead services. The number of congregants present was under 25, but the building was gorgeous.

"Do you think young Jews, your friends, you...would come to here...if we offered wine or beer sampling?"

(Does everyone think we are alcoholics?)

I tried to explain that my hesitation (and that of many of us, I expect) is the location and the facility. I recognize that there a lot of us in the county, even past 270, and for them, the location may work, but there is something that rubs me the wrong way about going to a synagogue for that type of event.

When I brought up the Next Dor project as an alternative future location for such an event, I was met with a level of interest, but also a bit of cautiousness. After all, we are advocating something that doesn't directly bring people into the membership (dues paying) ranks of these congregations.

The fundamental difference in what we are talking about is capacity building, at a regional level. Instead of focusing on a certain institution, congregation, or group's needs, we are approaching this from a generational standpoint. How do we become engaged and connected to each other, within this generation, and between generations, to the point that we have created another layer in the fabric of the community?

We think the answer is Next Dor. Read More......

Professional Leaders Project SkillsSummit

Zuz and Y? Accepted to Cutting Edge Jewish Leadership Program in NYC

That's right, Zuz and I have been accepted to participate in the Professional Leaders Project (PLP) SkillsSummit Program, a cutting-edge, 3-part Sunday Summit series for Generation Y Jewish leaders, taking place in New York City and Los Angeles in 2008-2009.

SkillsSummit focuses on innovative initiatives that strengthen Jewish leadership effectiveness, tackling pressing issues in contemporary Jewish society, and building community.

We are both pretty excited to have the opportunity to connect with some cool people, and to spend a few hours in NYC catching up with friends and family.

The Summit series will strengthen participants' Jewish leadership effectiveness in three, daylong intensive skill-building Summits with renowned experts and practitioners. Participants will apply new skills to real-life Jewish volunteer and professional settings. Both Zuz and I will be attending the sessions focusing on community organizing, where we will have the opportunity to be mentored by some of the foremost thinkers, organizers, and philanthropists.

Did I mention that we also get a trip to NYC, Medina to Israel's Jewish Mecca?

The Professional Leaders Project is an entrepreneurial nonprofit founded three years ago that selects Jewish Talent in their 20s & 30s around the country, connecting them to forward-thinking seasoned leaders for networking, mentoring, coaching, skill-building, and positive organizational change. PLP is dedicated to increasing the recruitment and retention of outstanding leaders who will lead the Jewish community into the future. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.jewishleaders.net.
Read More......