At the end of last year, to address serious and long-standing challenges to Wildacres Leadership Initiative's organizational sustainability, the board made a strategic decision to focus solely on the two-year Friday Fellowship program. As a result, management of the Fellows Action Network (FAN) became largely the responsibility of the Fellows themselves for the time being.
So far, this re-prioritization has achieved the desired effect in terms of bringing stability and focus to our efforts. Simultaneously, the board and staff have continued the deliberative discussion about the future of the FAN that was promised when the changes were announced in January 2011. The intent was to restore ongoing financial and staff support as soon as possible, given the importance of the Fellows’ 185-member strong community to WLI’s broader mission to encourage leadership dedicated to the values of integrity, intention and inclusion as the state navigates its complex future.
Kathleen Clark, WLI Program Director, has been a primary driver in the deliberations and strategist on how to best move forward in this regard. In May she presented a thoughtful and innovative proposal to reorganize and maximize staff efforts and financial resources to support both the FAN and Fellowship program within the current budget. Key elements include:
Network and Progam Director. Creation of a full-time Network and Program Director position whose focus is connecting and catalyzing the FAN through personal and technological programming, managing Fellowship and FAN seminars/events, managing the biannual selection process, and supporting the board’s annual fundraising through the Fellows community.(This person will be the sole full time employee of WLI.)
Contract Faculty. Contracting with four individuals to design, manage and facilitate the two-year Fellowship Program: one lead faculty/coach and three core faculty positions.
Financial Management. Assigning WLI financial management matters directly to the program officer for the Blumenthal Foundation, who will process all accounts payable and receivable.
The board carefully considered the proposal and, at its meeting in July, approved it in principle along with plans to proceed with the highest priority elements immediately. (click here to request a copy of the full proposal.)
Filling the new position. Foremost, a task group of board members developed the job description for the Network and Program Director and will post the opening in the next 10 days, with the goal of having the new professional hired in time for the installation of the new Fellows class in mid October.
Engaging Contract Faculty. Kathleen Clark has agreed to serve as lead faculty member and coach for the Fellowship, and WLI is contracting with three exceptional core faculty members : Georgann Eubanks (Minnow Media and Program Partner since 1999), Gita Gulati-Partee (OpenSource Leadership Strategies, 2001-03 Friday Fellow and Program Partner since 2003), and Christian Friend (Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, 2006-08 Friday Fellow and new Program Partner).
Creating a plan for the FAN. Another Board task group will begin developing a strategic planning plan for the FAN in the fall.
These efforts represent important steps in WLI’s evolution and thus require the direct engagement of Fellows.
Fellows Needed on Committees. Two immediate opportunities to get involved are on the FAN strategic planning committee and the task team that will help hire the Network and Program Director. We need three Friday Fellows to serve on this hiring team, whose work will happen between the end of August and beginning of October.
This refinement in our strategy holds great potential for each Fellow, our entire Fellowship community, and indeed, the state. The board appreciates everyone’s ongoing support and dedication, and welcomes your suggestions and participation. Look for additional and continual Dispatches as we move forward.For more information, contact board chair Tony Lathrop at tonylathrop@mvalaw.com or Kathleen Clark at kathleen@wildacresleadership.org.