Discussing Next Generation Leadership: Notes from NMAG’s 2013 Conference

One of the panels at this year’s New Mexico Association of Grantmakers Conference covered the topic of next generation leadership. Questions ranged from how we define next generation leadership, to what lessons can we learn from the previous generation, to what challenges/opportunities does the next generation face? Panelists included Sarah Ghiorse of NewMexicoWomen.Org, Chad Jones of Community Investment Network and (yours truly) Robert Nelson of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN). Adam Rubel of the Kindle Project moderated the discussion.

This was not a traditional panel where panelists sit in front of an audience answering questions. Instead, all the panelists sat with the audience at separate tables and moderated discussions at their tables. After each table discussion, each panelist gave their views on questions posed to the tables and then were asked to field questions from other panelists and audience members.

Three things I took away from the panel were:

1. Create more intergenerational dialogue
It was interesting to hear people identify their generation and discuss different characteristics. Some of the conversation covered dispelling stereotypes that millenials face in the work place such as laziness and entitlement. Another part covered attitudes towards community change, of which, millenials seem more optimistic in creating community change, whereas some in generation X seem disillusioned with the barriers to create lasting change (big thanks to Sarah Ghiorse for helping with this part of the conversation). I found this point to be a good lesson in intergenerational dialogue because it opened up a larger discussion in how we develop community conversations about larger problems in communities (ie: poverty, inequality, homelessness, access to education, social justice). Talking and learning from others’ experiences in community work can help the next generation solve these problems (or at least put a sizable dent in them).

2. Be supportive of next generation leaders
Another part of the discussion covered how do we teach the next generation (beyond millenials) the importance of learning from the past – such as teaching classical music and the importance of environment and social location. One of the participants noted that we must create the support systems to not only invite young people to community work, but to teach how to build organizations from the ground up, teaching leadership skills along the way to a sustainable organization. Others pointed to how we attract talent to the social sector from increasing salaries to dispelling the overhead myth in nonprofit.

3. Caucus
Thanks to Chad Jones I now know what caucus means. It’s an important action in creating discussions about diversity and difference. And it goes back to the first take-away – create more discussion because the more you learn about others, the more you learn about yourself and your role in helping solve community issues.

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10 Things We Took Away from the 2012 YNPN National Conference

In early August, members of YNPN New Mexico joined chapters from across the country to attend the YNPN National Conference in San Francisco.  There, we networked with other young professionals and local nonprofits.  We met grassroots fundraising superstar, Kim Klein and the person behind “The Story of Stuff,” Annie Leonard.  We toured San Francisco and made new friends.  These were some of our take-aways:

1. YNPN is 15 years old!  Led by National Director, Trish Tchume, chapter leaders from across the country have been developing plans for YNPN’s future, deemed YNPN 3.0.
2. Networks are key to community.  Nationwide, there are 36,000 members of YNPN and it’s still growing.  The more people dedicated to making our communities better places to live the better, right?
3. Us versus them mentalities don’t work anymore.  Reach out and be inclusive.  That’s how community change happens.  Ask Kim Klein, grassroots fundraiser extraordinaire.
4. YNPN New Mexico accomplished a lot last year as well!  Check out slide 12 in the slideshare.
5. Trish Tchume is really tall.
6. YNPN will be offering a fellowship this fall.
7. Not only is it important to grow professionally, it’s just as important to have fun to balance life out.
8. Other chapters similar to YNPN New Mexico face the same challenges – member engagement, network development, board recruitment, organizational development, capacity development, etc.
9. Soul Asylum is still together!  Seriously!  They played San Francisco the weekend of the conference.
10. Next year’s YNPN National Conference will be held in Phoenix, AZ.  Join us next year!

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Interview with Arika Sanchez

Arika Sanchez

Title – Project Specialist

Organization/Agency – Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way of Central New Mexico

Hometown- Albuquerque, NM

Education- JD, New York Law School; MPA, University of New Mexico, expected May 2012; BBA in Accounting, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Why did you choose to work in the non-profit field?

It was somewhat of a journey.  My undergraduate degree is in accounting because I enjoy working with numbers, but by my final semester, the business school’s emphasis on the bottom line was wearing on me.  I began to realize that working in such an environment wouldn’t make me happy and that I wanted to focus my time on helping people and making a difference in the community.  After graduation I began volunteering for various nonprofits to see what was out there.

Why did you pick the cause you are currently a part of? When did you know you wanted to do this work?

There are so many issues and organizations that are incredibly important and that I’m interested in.  The more I learn, the broader my interests grow.  I was in the process of trying to hone in my interests when I found the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.  The great thing about working for the Center is I don’t have to choose one cause – the Center aims to provide support to all nonprofits in central New Mexico.  I feel by building the capacity of these organizations, we are having an impact on a wide range of issue areas.

What inspires you about your work?

I’ve begun to realize that one of the most inspiring things about the nonprofit sector is the people who work in it.  I’ve worked and volunteered for at least ten nonprofits and have recently gone on tours of a number of agencies funded by the United Way of Central New Mexico, and I’m constantly amazed and inspired by the staff and volunteers’ commitment to and enthusiasm for their causes and organizations.

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Something Amazing – YNPN National Conference in Grand Rapids

Note from the editor: This article was written for the YNPN National Conference in Grand Rapids, which occurred on on March 25th through the 26th. This article is a reflection from the Nonprofit Smackdown held that Friday evening at the Wealthy Theater written by Ian Esquibel, a board member for YNPN Central New Mexico.  The Smackdown was cooked up by YNPN Grand Rapids.  – Robert Nelson

March 26, 2011 Grand Rapids, MI – Fantastic things transpire and they don’t always make the headlines:  like a room full of people focused on a single moment and something amazing happens.  Last night at the National Conference for YNPN while attending the Nonprofit Smackdown, a fun way for professionals in the Grand Rapids social service sector to blow off steam, I witnessed one of those moments.

The Smackdown worked like this: two person teams from eight different fields (environment, education, community building, basic needs, arts and culture, foundations, membership, health) of the sector compete for top honor of most deserving cause.  They compete by sharing impassioned or funny rhetoric, appealing to an audience of their peers – like battle rap meets speech and debate with a lot of improv comedy and Halloween costumes mixed in.  The teams participate in 4 rounds; after each round the audience cheers for their favorite teams and the 2 teams that receive the least amount of applause are eliminated – simple enough and definitely engaging.

As an outsider watching a close community bond, battle and banter, I admired their camaraderie.  Eighteen community leaders expressed their commitment for the work they fill their lives with and despite the huge odds, heartbreaking anecdotes and heinous challenges, they did so with guts and smiles.

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Interview with Dustin Berg

Dustin Berg

Title – Executive Director

Organization/Agency – Global Opportunities Unlimited, Inc.

Hometown –  Albuquerque, NM

Education – Valley High School Diploma and 2 years at UNM

Why did you choose to work in the non-profit field?
On June 23, 2003, I was nineteen years old. I was in a motorcycle accident that changed my whole life in a couple of seconds. I broke my T7 vertebrae and many other bones, as well as collapsing both lungs. After such a catastrophic accident, I was lucky to still be alive. At the time I was not feeling lucky at all. I was in for months of therapy to heal my wounds and learn how to handle day to day functions as a paraplegic. Laying in bed it was obvious to me this would change the way I looked at life. I went through the natural psychological processes of understanding and coping with what had just happened to me, or better yet what I had just done to myself. One thing became certain, that I would not give up and therefore it was up to me to make this a change for the better.

Change did not happen overnight, but, by staying determined and having faith in myself, I started to abandon my real disabilities and realize my countless abilities. I went back to school (UNM) to continue my education towards becoming a Civil Engineer. It was then that I realized no matter how much money I made it did not mean much if I was not able to enjoy my life beyond work, hobbies, and love for nature and outdoor adventure. I began to pursue one of my favorite things in life outdoor activities, with a deeper passion and understanding than before.  I was surprised at what I could still do, and it was instrumental to my own “rehabilitation”. I met many other folks in wheelchairs through my experience and discovered on a large scale that other people facing similar situations were overwhelmed and having difficulty participating in activities crucial to their quality of life. Because of the positive impact outdoor activities has had on my quality of life, and the overwhelming interest I received from other people facing similar situations, it was obvious that something to make these opportunities available to others needed to be done. In 2005, I established Global Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. to pursue my dream of helping other wheelchair bound people enjoy outdoor activities.

What inspires you about your work?
I am inspired by the people we serve. We take many children fishing each year and their smiles, laughter, and energy really elevate everyone’s spirits. I get great satisfaction out of sharing time with the kids outdoors, creating childhood memories, and showing them that there is more to life than what is commonly accepted. I also am inspired by Veteran participants that share a wealth of stories and lessons with us, the younger generation. I find it very rewarding when we work together as a community to support and show appreciation for our Veterans and their gratitude for our services inspires me. Simply put, helping those in need of our services is inspiring.

What impact does your non-profit have in the community?
Our non-profit impacts the community on a large scale. Directly we are impacting the lives of people with disabilities and their families via services and resources. Indirectly we are impacting the community at large by showing them the not so obvious side to people with disabilities. The side that is motivated, hard working, strong willed, and excited to be positive/beneficial to our community.  Also being that our activities are outdoor oriented we are impacting rural communities and bringing positive attention to our forests, rivers, lakes, and other wild spaces.

Why are you a member of YNPN?
Networking is one of the most if not the most important tool to achieving a strong support base that is essential in creating a strong long lasting organization. I joined YNPN to meet like minded individuals whom share common interests and goals.

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