Consultant Corner: Why Facilitation is Important in Complex Partnerships

The news continues to be grim:  Many nonprofits will not survive the current economic crisis. Others will have to scale down their offerings to the community or will have to partner with other organizations to meet the growing needs.  Even before this recent wave of economic downturn, the pervasive culture in the nonprofit sector is one of competition for limited resources which adversely impacts collaboration and partnership development.  The reality is one organization alone cannot effectively meet the needs of a community.  However, partnerships can be incredibly difficult to manage and sometimes are not very efficient.  Hence, the need for an outside facilitator.  

The most common issue encountered in complex partnerships--or any partnership for that matter--is communication.  How do you get individuals to share information and be transparent about individual goals and objectives in the context of the broader partnership?  It begins with building relationships and trust.  A skilled, objective facilitator can navigate this process by providing a space conducive to disclosure and relationship building.  The key is to have a facilitator that doesn't have a horse-in-the-race.  An objective voice that can focus on the issues and not the people involved can help move stagnation based on personality conflicts to shared understanding and collaboration.  Not to say that it is easy.  Often times there is historical conflict that permeates deep into the institutions that individuals represent.  In extreme cases, it is important to acknowledge the wounds of the past, but quickly get to a plan for restorative justice.

Second, facilitation can help to document the process of partnership development by defining goals, timelines and key outcomes that are agreed upon by the team.  Invariably, organizations and/or individuals enter partnerships with their own goals in mind.  Some people refer to this as an agenda.  It is incredibly important to invest in the planning of mutual goals and objectives and defining what group success looks like.  Clarity in the plan, specifically around how many people need to be served; hours of operation; identifying space for activities; clear roles and responsibilities and how resources will be distributed will help in the overall management of the partnership.  Also, the documentation of the partnership will allow decision makers to reflect on past thinking when issues arise (document, document, document!)  When partnership amnesia occurs, the documentation provides a history of how decisions and agreements came to be.  

Finally, an independent facilitator allows partner organizations to share leadership and decision making in a fluid way.  Typically, a lead agency assumes leadership in partnership/coalition building which automatically sets the tone for uneven distribution of decision making.  The lead agency is viewed as the authority and not a partner in this type of design.  With an outside facilitator, all agencies are active participants in goal setting and decision making processes which engenders greater trust and builds relationships on equal ground. 

Facilitation is not an exact science.  Make sure you take the time to get referrals for quality facilitation services.  Unfortunately, bad facilitation can set you back even further, so make sure to make informed decisions when choosing a facilitator.  

    

  

 

  

Latino Parent Involvement

One of the greatest indicators of student success is the involvement of parents in their child's education.  There is a broad range of parent involvement from very passive strategies, like showing encouragement to more engaged strategies, like assisting with homework and being actively involved in the PTA.  Moreover, there is evidence that parent mobilizing--based off of traditional community organizing models--have been effective in changing school, district and even statewide educational policies. 

Recent focus groups that my colleague and I conducted with Latino high school and college students suggest that Latino parents tend to be involved with their child's education in a more passive way.   Most of the responses we received from students indicate that parents are passively involved by showing encouragement to their students--meaning that parents give positive reinforcement when their children are performing well and give tough love to their children as a way of corrective action when they are not performing well.  When asked if (Latino) parents were providing help with homework or involved in a more engaged way the most typical response was "no."  So, what is the reason behind a general lack of engaged parent involvement?  The language barrier.

Most of the students we interviewed had monolingual, Spanish speaking parents that had difficulty interpreting homework assignments and correspondence sent home by the school. However, the most significant barrier to engaged parent involvement cited by students was the absence of Spanish speaking teachers and administrators at their schools.  One student suggested:  "My mom really would like to be involved at my school, but she has a hard time communicating with the teachers there.  They don't understand what she is saying, so she just stopped going (to the school)."  

Obviously, there are many other barriers to engaged parent involvement, such as stricter district-level school security measures; overwhelmed parents working 2-3 jobs to support their families; a failure of some Latino parents to learn English; and parental apathy.  However, the issue underscores the need to have more bilingual educators and administrators, specifically in schools with traditionally large populations of Latino students.  In line with President-elect Obama's plan at merit-based teacher pay, we need to look at providing incentives for bilingual educators and administrators to work in high-density Latino schools.  Even further, we need to promote bilingualism for incoming teachers entering our post-secondary institutions.  The Latino population in America is growing at an astounding rate.  This coupled with a global economy, places greater need for bilingual and multilingual workers.

So, hopefully we do not lose sight of the need for more bilingual educators as we seek to reform our public education system.  

    

No Child Left Behind????

As the auto industry rides into D.C. seeking yet another tax payer line of credit, the temperament of the American public for corporate bailout grows increasingly thin.  An article in today's NY Times describing the deplorable health conditions and relative lack of concern from our government to provide meaningful support to Hurricane Katrina victims 3 years after the fact only exacerbates public discontent.  What about these forgotten youth who are trying to find even the slightest bit of normalcy in their lives?  Has our collective short-term memory allowed us to forget that if we are going to bail anyone out shouldn't we be focusing on the innocent victims of this recent natural disaster?  

If we don't respond to the critical health care needs and provide a basic safety-net for victims of Katrina, like the article suggests, "what you're looking at is our future juvenile justice--our prison population.  According to a study by Columbia University, 42 percent of the children who lived in trailers laced with dangerous levels of formaldehyde had allergic rhinitis or an upper respiratory infection.  Additionally, more than half of children ages 6-11 had a learning problem, yet had to wait as long as 2 years to be tested for learning disabilities.  

 No Child Left Behind!!??

Musical Chairs

With Gov. Richardson officially being named as the Commerce Secretary designate, we can cue the music and begin the musical chairs.  Soon-to-be Governor Diane Denish will take the first vacant chair, holding in hand a bill for $500 mil left by the soon-to-be former Governor of New Mexico.  After a brief pause in the music, the shuffling will continue for the next available chair:  Lt. Governor. The names being circulated in ubiquitous fashion are State Auditor Hector Balderas and Mid Region Council of Governments official Lawrence Rael.  Once the music resumes, there will be a host of other participants vying for seats in the new administration from Chief of Staff down to the vacant seats left behind by those seeking to move up the ranks in State Government.  

Like any dance, this one also has a sequence of steps.  First, exactly when will Gov. Richardson vacate his post?  Will he resign early much like President-Elect Obama did with his Senate seat?  Can soon-to-be Governor Diane Denish begin to build her team now or will it have to wait until the dawn of the legislative session, which begins on January 20th--otherwise reserved in the public consciousness as the official start of the Obama era.  

Cue the music........this dance could last awhile!

 

Richardson: Secretary of Commerce?

The buzz on the blogs and on the hill is that Gov. Bill Richardson will become the new Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration.  The first high-profile Latino to be leaked as a potential executive in the new administration, President-elect Obama and his transition team are putting together the political equivalent of the gold medal winning "Redeem Team."  Next up---Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State.   

Now, the Secretary of Commerce post is largely viewed as a second-tier appointment typically reserved for generous campaign donors from the business community.  Until I saw the job description on CNN, I really had no clue what the job entails.  The day-to-day rigors aside, in Bill Richardson the Obama Administration will get a seasoned administrator with foreign policy and economic development chops that should prove to be beneficial in promoting international trade.  

What's next for New Mexico?  If this speculation about Richardson is true, Lt. Governor Diane Denish is more than prepared to take the reins of executive leadership in the state.  Lt. Governor Denish has been an absolute gem to the youth development community championing early childhood education, service and volunteerism, affordable and accessible health care for all and workforce development through her leadership as head of the New Mexico Children's Cabinet.  While Richardson has been knee deep in national politics, Denish has been the steady hand at the wheel of state politics for the last year and a half.  The transition to a Gov. Denish administration should be relatively smooth.  

It will be interesting to see the sequencing of events if Gov. Richardson formally gets offered the job early next week.  According to CNN, some of the Obama cabinet appointments could take as long as May 2009 to confirm.  With that timeline, who will oversee the New Mexico State Legislative Session that will begin in late January?  If Gov. Richardson accepts the offer and assuming that he gets through the rigorous vetting process, will he resign as Governor early to ensure a smooth transition to a Denish administration?  

This domino effect currently leaves our state with more questions than answers.  But the excitement in the building of the "Redeem Team" and the hope of a new leader in state politics that cares about our greatest assets--our youth make the anticipation almost unbearable.      

Si Se Puede! Yes We Can!

Fear can be extremely powerful, leaving those in the shadows feeling helpless and searching for answers.  But, what we found out on November 4th was that hope and optimism are much more powerful.  The people have spoken by casting their ballots in record numbers and the winner is: Barack Obama.  

People were dancing in the streets, weeping without caution and generally feeling intoxicated by the magnitude of this historic event.  So why was this presidential victory so significant? Have we apotheosized Obama to the point there is just too much collective weight on his shoulders?   

Here are a couple of reasons why this victory was  significant.  First, for every Latino, African American, American Indian, Asian American and any other minority group who has felt disenfranchised by our government, the most unbreakable institutional glass ceiling in America was shattered to pieces.  For those who felt that the dream of being President of the United States of America was the unattainable dream---there is now hope.  I can now look at my Mexican-American daughter and say:  "Mi hija, someday if you work really hard, you can be President of the United States"--and mean it.  For those who have been through the struggle there is a beacon of hope.  For those that have not been through the struggle--you may not understand. 

Second, this election demonstrates that "bottom-up" really does work.  Gone are the days of being "parented" by our government and accepting things as they are because we feel that we can't make a difference.  It took me my entire adult life to come to grips with the power of the vote.  I approached politics and the political process with cynicism because I honestly felt that my vote didn't really matter.  Those that were in power were going to preserve their power and influence and there wasn't much I could really do about it.   I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine who left the country to do political work in Bolivia.  My question to him was:  "What motivated you to leave the U.S. to organize in Bolivia?"  He looked at me, gathered his thoughts and said: "People in the U.S. will complain about paying $4 a gallon for gas, but do nothing about it."  "In Bolivia, people will take to the streets and take up arms if they have to for what they believe in."  Now, taking up arms is a little radical for someone like me who prefers Ghandian methods, but the point was well taken. "Don't complain if you're not gonna be part of the solution."

At minimum, this election has elevated the hopes and dreams of those who felt left behind by government.  President-Elect Barack Obama faces some steep challenges for sure.  Can he really change Washington?  Only time will tell.  One thing is for sure, he cannot do it without the same groundswell of concerned citizens that helped him get elected to office.  There is also a significant debt of gratitude that we must pay to Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Malcolm X and all of the other trailblazers of the Civil Rights Movement who lit the incandescent flame that has guided us to greater equality.  We are not quite at the "mountain top" yet.  But, the panoramic view from where we currently stand is breathtaking to say the least.                 

Elimi(hate)

On Halloween, trick or treaters dressed up in their scariest garb trying to heighten fear in those poor souls distributing candy at doorsteps.  In southern New Mexico, a six foot plus African-American presidential candidate has elicited a certain fear in at least one high-ranking GOP official in Alamagordo.  Seems like Marcia Stirman who heads the Republican Women of Otero County is in a little hot water for calling Sen. Barack Obama a "Muslim Socialist" in a letter to the editor published in the Alamagordo Daily News.  Not deep enough, Stirman takes a few more digs by saying: "I believe Muslims are our enemy."  Even more troubling is the fact that Stirman goes on to say that she has received about 700 calls in response to her letter and that three fourths of them have been "positive."  Guess what, now I'm really scared!

These are the same racial tactics I discussed in a previous post.  Once again, ignorance is alive and well and fear mongering is at the heart of a pathetic GOP strategy.   And guess what, the uninformed electorate takes the bait hook, line and sinker.  I had a conservative Christian recently tell me:  "I would never vote for that Muslim Obama."  I tried to set the record straight on Obama's spirituality and this individual was completely uninterested--not even trying to hear a word I was saying.  You wanna know why?  Because they feel empowered to vilify those that are different from themselves.  It's like trying to tell a 5 year old child that there is no Santa Claus.  Everything they have been told to this point is now in question and it feels unsafe.  Even worse, they don't see themselves as guilty of discrimination without any basis or facts. Ask these same individuals to give you the basic tenets of either the Muslim faith or socialism for that matter and you'll get the same exact blank look.

We must take hate out of the debate.  We must ELIMI(HATE)  

   

 

The Recovering Cholo

A little levity in the midst of tough economic times......

I was thinking this morning about culture and what I identify with.  Am I Mexican?  Am I Hispanic? Am I Latino or Chicano?  I finally realized at my core, I am a recovering cholo!  This was a bold discovery to finally come to grips with my identity!  I have been struggling with this for years!  Here are some of the indicators to help you embrace your inner cholo:

Terms of Endearment:  I have always been criticized for not being incredibly affectionate, especially through words.  Most people refer to their significant others as "honey", "sweetheart" or "dear".  My querida wife has always been referred to as "homes."

Salutation:  Most people greet each other by saying "hello" or "how are you" or "good to see you."  The recovering cholo cannot get passed:  "orale homie" or "q-vole vato!"  These salutations bleed out like a verbal reflex that cannot be controlled.

References to Inanimate Objects:  References to cars as "ramflas" or  calling a chair a "share" or calling your favorite song a "rolla" help to define your inner cholo. 

Ring tones:  The recovering cholo does not like ringtones from contemporary artists.  If you hear "I'm your puppet" as someone's phone rings, you are in the presence of a true cholo!  

Fashion:  The recovering cholo still thinks hush puppies or "shopos" look good with a suit.  

So, onward my fellow cholos!  Embrace your identities! Que viva los cholos! 

Joe's Kids Need an Education

The latest diversion on the campaign trail these days is Joe the Plumber, otherwise known as Jose el plomero here in the southwest.  Another empty attempt at diverting from one of the most critical issues of our time.......our nation's education crisis.  The stock market roller coaster ride we have been on for the last month (maybe this is not a good metaphor since roller coasters do go up) has prompted us to veer off the path of education reform that is needed to make America competitive in the global market.

Education and our economy are linked tighter than George and Weezie or Bush and failed policies.  Without a competitive education system, the disparities between those prospering and those living in poverty will continue to grow.  On the campaign trail, the candidates have feigned the issue for the most part.  Sen. Barack Obama has been the more vocal of the two, focusing on parental involvement, rewarding good teachers and the growth and expansion of the charter school movement.  Sen. McCain glances over this issue speaking primarily about what has been done in Washington D.C. with vouchers.  First of all, as a macro-level strategy, vouchers will invariably create a problem of supply vs. demand.  

In our current context, most of our nations schools-- particularly inner city schools-- are underperforming under the guise of No Child Left Behind. These schools often times are also the most densely populated.  So, if young people attending these schools decide to transfer to a higher performing school, we face a challenge of bandwidth since higher performing schools will probably not have the capacity to take on increased numbers of students.  Thus, vouchers at best can be a small part of the solution.  

We have to take action on education reform by setting higher standards for our students.  We also have to look at this issue holistically by focusing on empowering families; engaging students using multiple intelligences approaches; making teaching a valued profession in American culture; creating smaller learning communities where students have more individualized attention from teachers; and extending the learning day whereby students can participate in engaging educational opportunities before and after school. 

Joe the Plumber may not have anyone to pass the family business on to if his children are not prepared for an evolving global economy.   

My Friends, A Change is Gonna Come

"My friends," the endorsements for Sen. Barack Obama are piling on like Tampa Bay Rays at the pitchers mound after their victory over the Boston Red Sox.  Recent endorsements by General Colin Powell, The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune (no big surprise here) signal a societal shift in how Americans are yearning for a fresh, new direction.  

The Washington Post endorsement states: "Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building.  Gen. Colin Powell added:  "Sen. Obama is a 'transformational leader' that is needed during this difficult times." 

These recent endorsements fortify the argument that paternalistic individualism is not the type of leadership we need in these difficult times.  Good communication skills, a global vision, conciliation and consensus-building should not be perceived as weaknesses as the GOP suggests. 

These shifts in governmental leadership values hopefully will begin to reverberate in other institutions----like corporate America.  

Building Future Latino Leadership

In 2007, Gov. Bill Richardson gave us our first glimpse of a Latino presidential candidate in his bid for the White House.  We also have witnessed the meteoric rise of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as a prominent leader in America's second largest city, giving hope to young Latinos everywhere that they can aspire to equal heights.  There are other promising examples of Latinos achieving prominence in entertainment, sports and industry.  However, significant work needs to be done to ensure that young Latinos are given the opportunity to develop the leadership skills required in a global, 21st century economy.

In my last post, I illuminated a troubling condition in America's corporate sector:  Only 1% of corporate executives and only 2% of corporate board members are Latino.  Current data suggests that Latinos in the U.S. constitute about 14% of the total U.S. population.  Clearly, you can see that the numbers just don't add up.  Which leads to the obvious question: Why are Latinos so underrepresented in leadership positions in the corporate sector?   

One of the answers points to cultural differences in values.  Generally speaking, Americans are thought to be individualistic, focusing heavily on individual pursuits like building wealth, job advancement and personal achievement. Latinos, whether they be foreign born or native to the United States are thought to be much more collectivistic—meaning that achievement and success in their cultural context is measured more broadly by the successes of the “group.” Some researchers have argued that acculturation to the dominant culture, in this case American culture, creates a stronger connection to a more individualistic identity. For instance, a second generation Latino born in the United States with loose ties to their family's homeland generally would be perceived as more acculturated to U.S. culture than a recent immigrant. However, in general terms, individualism is commonly viewed as a social moré in Latino culture. The Spanish expression ser humilde, which loosely translates to “be humble” is a perfect example of how Latinos value humility and frown upon self-promotion.  This is why Latinos often times struggle in settings like job interviews.    

Corporate America values and even promotes bold individualism, which in some ways is antithetical to Latinos.  However, with the lessons learned from the recent stock market fiasco and the troubling mismanagement of our housing market, it is clear that some of the greed and corruption that is associated with bold individualism calls for a shift in leadership values.  

Looking at the underrepresentation of Latinos in corporate leadership positions strictly as an individualism vs. collectivism issue would be incredibly naive.  There are obviously some structural issues in our institutions that have somehow marginalized people that don't fit the corporate profile.  Part of the problem does require a shift in thinking about individualistic values towards global values--like building relationships, fostering consensus, building community and looking at the greater good for the greatest amount of people. 

Back to cultural values.  Given general tendencies for Latinos to be family and group oriented, how do you promote leadership development that is culturally relevant?  A natural starting point for building young Latino leadership is to look at cultivating interpersonal competencies, that correlate well with core Latino values.  Promoting teamwork and collaboration where Latino youth can measure success based on the collective efforts of the group makes leadership development culturally relevant. For example, working hand-in-hand with the community on a service project facilitates teamwork and collaboration, builds self-confidence, promotes communication and critical thinking and provides a greater good to the community.  The group activities will also promote the individual leadership skills required in a 21st Century economy.  

Our increased understanding around multiple intelligences has shifted the way we assess knowledge and skills.  In the same way, we must look at the emotional intelligences as a comprehensive way to develop a new wave of young, aware Latino leaders.  Whether or not corporate America is ready for this shift is another story.  

Will Race Determine the Race?

And black has become a beautiful color--not because it is loved

but because it is feared.

-Author James Baldwin--The Fire Next Time

Will race play a role in this presidential election?  According to a recent survey by Stanford University, with the Associated Press and Yahoo, Sen. Obama's support would be about six percentage points higher if he were white.  That is pretty significant knowing that the upcoming election could be incredibly close.  We know that racism is institutional and structural.  It is embedded in our everyday lives whether we want to admit it or not.  Look at corporate America for instance:  Less than 1% of corporate executives in the private sector are Latino.  Even further, less than 2% of corporate board members are Latino.  You look at our educational institutions and the stark differences in achievement between whites and non-whites.  Poverty rates and health disparities between whites and non-whites provide further evidence that the playing field in America is not close to being level or equitable.  

What is even scarier is that racism now manifests itself as a reflexive fear of the unknown--an unconscious bias based on how we have been conditioned socially.  So, when you hear Gov. Sarah Palin on the campaign trail referring to Sen. Obama as someone that is "not one of us," essentially what she is doing is eliciting a collective fear of the unknown.  Is it overt racism? Certainly not.  However, it's even more dangerous because it is veiled in campaign rhetoric aimed at scaring you to death about the Democratic candidate--skin color included.  

We saw this earlier in the election when strategists were trying to connect Sen. Obama--primarily because of his name--to Muslim extremists, even though he has continually professed his belief in Christianity.  Just this week, Sen. Obama appeared on a New York county ballot as "Osama." A simple key stroke mistake perhaps? Well, the presidential ballot is not overly weighted with candidates.  So, I don't think proofreading would be that difficult.  Maybe, its just me.....

The idealist in all of us would like to think that we would be voting in November based on the issues:  The candidates' plans to rescue our failing economy; providing health care for all; strengthening entitlements for baby boomers; ending the war in Iraq; and bringing diplomacy to heal the global wounds of the current administration.  Let's just hope that skin color is not one of the issues we are basing our decisions on.

  

   

The Charter School Solution

Usher out large scale, custodial care and usher in smaller learning communities for students.  In an article in Sunday's Albuquerque Journal, Think New Mexico--A New Mexico think tank published a report that recommends that the state cease the building of what they call "dropout factories" and start looking at smaller learning communities as a way to improve dropout rates.  

The report states that 27 percent of the state's public high schools qualify as "dropout factories," with less than 60 percent of 9th graders making it to graduation.  That's an alarming dropout rate of nearly 40%!  

The "warehouse approach" to building large schools where students get lost in anonymity is an outdated strategy that really promoted custodial care.  It's like the Wal-Mart model to education.  Fit as many products (in this case students) as you can in one space and offer everything at a discount.  The problem is your students' "discount" is their unrealized academic and social potential.  

Charter schools address this issue by providing smaller learning environments, where students actually know their teachers and administrators by name.  There has been a lot of debate about the "quality" of instruction and ancillary services provided by charter schools.  Also, people tend to get caught-up in misleading performance measures like schools meeting Annually Yearly Progress (AYP).  However, there is empirical evidence that supports young people perform better in smaller learning communities than they do in larger "dropout factories."  

So, the solution is right in front of us.  Stop building these "Wal-Mart schools" and start investing in smaller, charter schools that can meet the targeted socioeconomic and academic needs of our students.  

Health Care Coverage for All

Heard the theory that small businesses are not willing to pay for health insurance for their employees?  Think again.  According to a report in today's Albuquerque Journal, the State Coverage Insurance program, which provides federally subsidized medical insurance to low-income workers and small businesses has closed enrollment due to overwhelming demand.  

According to the report, over 40,000 workers and small business owners have enrolled in the program, which has created a logjam for enrollment.  The state has had to close enrollment and are only allowing new enrollees when members drop out.

The reverberations for health care reform, both federally and locally are sending clear signals to policy makers of the need to provide quality, affordable health care to everyone--including children!  For the uninsured children, we need to look at effective ways to deliver low-cost, no cost health care that is accessible.  One way to accomplish this is to consider expanding funding for New Mexico's School Based Health Centers (SBHC) that provide quality health care to low-income children on school campuses.  Being school based, these health centers address the primary, behavioral and social emotional issues that are directly tied to academic performance. Furthermore, Students are able to access health care on campus, which allows young people to stay at school and not miss valuable class time.  

Over the last few years, Gov. Bill Richardson's administration doubled the number of SBHCs in the state.  However, these SBHCs are running far below capacity and are woefully underfunded.

Aside from government funding, it is critical to look at private commercial insurance reimbursement as a potential strategy to sustain and expand school-based health care over the long-haul.  

    

Musings

Cell phones, iPhones, PDAs, Smart phones--any more we are a society that needs to be connected 24/7.  Why do I bring this up?  Yesterday, I was at a funeral trying to show some moral support for dear friends who lost their father.  Before the priest began with a customary prayer, he made sure to remind everyone, "please turn off your cell phones"--- which I'm finding out is now customary in the church as well.

A short time later, a 50 Cent ringtone goes off...."You can find me in the club, bottle full of bub.....No big deal.  Just a brief distraction.  Next, a phone rings with a ring tone that sounds like the ice cream man is rolling down the block.  At first, I glanced over to see where it was coming from.  Surely, the person would turn the ringer off after being slightly embarrassed right?  Wrong!  The woman takes the call and begins to have a conversation right in the middle of Ecclesiastes 15:2 (I'm stretching here, but you get the point)!  A few moments later, another phone starts ringing and the woman scutters out of the chapel to take the call.

Is nothing sacred anymore?  Have we become so obsessed with being connected 24/7 that we can't even respect the sanctity of mass?  What ever happened to "I'll get back to you when I get a chance" or just letting a call go to voicemail?  Don't most phones have a vibrate feature?

You can't even have a decent face to face conversation anymore without the person sitting across from you sending text messages and checking emails.  "How was your.....excuse me....click, click, click......week........tap, tap, click, click.... end?"........ "It was great! The family and I".........."sorry to interrupt, but I really have to take this one."

Finally, the ringing of the phones subsided and I was able to listen to the gospel.....for a moment.  Just when I thought Chad and the fellas at the networks were taking a break, the person next to me starts tapping away at her keyboard.  

I thought to myself:  "Maybe she's channeling the holy spirit?  Maybe, God only responds to cyber prayer these days.  Come on!  Get with it!" Or, maybe we have become so attention deficient that we need constant distractions just to get through the day.  

I wonder if dialing the holy spirit is long distance?  Will it count against my minutes?  If I try to connect with Jesus, is it considered roaming?

Impact of the Economic Crisis on Nonprofits

The Economic Bailout aka The Economic Revitalization Act passed by a vote of 74 to 25 in the Senate last night.  Now, we'll just have to wait and see if partisan politics and crushed egos get in the way of the House passing the legislation on Friday.......Tune in.

There has been a lot of focus on the impact of the economic crisis on Main Street USA over the past couple of weeks.  Stories of families struggling to pay for rising fuel costs and groceries. Small businesses unable to access credit to keep their operations flowing.  Families unable to obtain credit to purchase a car.  These examples are ubiquitous throughout the mainstream media.  The media has also given a lot of attention to corporate America and the impact the crisis is having on this sector.  But, what about the nonprofit sector?

Essentially, the role of government is to redistribute the public wealth back to the people through programs like Medicaid and services like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  However, with over 700 billion dollars of the "public wealth" going to the sheepily clad Economic Revitalization Act, common sense will tell you that there will be far less resources to support public programs that address some of the most dire needs in our communities.  It is the nonprofit, community-based organization that relies heavily on government funding to provide the much needed services.  Then there is the war in Iraq.......I better not even touch this one.

The crisis also heavily impacts private philanthropy.  Most of America's large foundations, like WK Kellogg operate and distribute wealth through endowments.  These endowments are tied to the stock market.  The interest income on these large endowments fund programs around the globe ranging from anti-poverty programs to AIDS reduction to youth development. Obviously, if the market is in a recession, the interest income from these endowments sharply declines.  This basically means that there will be fewer resources to support the after school program your child attends.  Fewer resources to support the food banks and homeless shelters and fewer resources to support the public health institutions where the poorest, most disadvantaged in our communities receive health care.   

So, when you think of who this plan REALLY impacts, it is those who are living at or below the poverty line.  

  

The Battle of the Bracelets

In the midst of very terse exchanges on foreign policy and the economy, both candidates made an attempt to connect with their bases on their Iraq war policy stances.  Pushing up his sleeve, Sen. McCain made reference to a bracelet given to him by a mother of a U.S. soldier who basically said "make sure you win this war, so my son didn't die in vain."  Not to be outdone, Sen. Obama retorted, "I too wear a bracelet given to me by the mother of a soldier who told me that no mother should have to go through what she has gone through."  "We need to end the war in Iraq." I feel a little shallow for wearing a bracelet because it looks good.

Seriously though, I believe both candidates did a good job of connecting with their bases last night.  Problem is, I really don't know how well either of them did of connecting with independent voters who will be deciding this election.  It is clear, however, that the candidates do not have a whole lot in common.  Together, they are the modern day "Odd Couple" (I'll let you decide who is Randall and who is Klugman).  

Then there is the issue of pre-condition diplomacy, aka  preparation.  Pre-condition diplomacy is code for friendship with benefits.  It's a bully tactic  the GOP loves.   It's the equivalent of the bully-shakedown for your lunch money on the playground.  I got your back if you give me your lunch money loser!  Since when do we need pre-conditions to have a conversation?  One of the reasons we are so hated around the world is because we have an air of imperialism about us.  Sen. Obama is a consensus builder who is trying to bring a sense of restorative justice to heal the international wounds of the current administration.  Yet, he is painted by Sen. McCain as naive for wanting to get back to some good ole' fashion campfire talks with heads of state.  

Meanwhile, Gov. Sarah Palin is trying to get better resolution out of her binoculars....... 

 

   

Tis the Season

With John McCain two timing Letterman for Couric; a U.S. economy that is seemingly going down the toilet; and Sarah Palin doing her best Barney Fife impersonation on the campaign trail, I'm getting a little sick of the political season and look to focus renewed energy on another passion of mine--NBA basketball!!!!

Training camp begins tomorrow for many NBA teams  and I will be particularly interested on seeing how well the big man tandem of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol works out for my beloved Lakers.  I've had to go into the witness protection program after our dreaded nemesis--Boston Celtics pounded us in the NBA finals last June.  Now, the disguise is off; I'm looking to get some sun on my pale skin and I'm ready for the Lakers to take the title this year!

Problem is, with our ailing economy, I won't be able to afford the inflated ticket prices at the Laker's box office.  Worse than that, living in NM, I won't be able to afford the cost of the flight, hotel and the ticket broker prices since all Laker home games are sold out.  

Thank goodness for NBA League Pass!!

Social Utilitarianism

Millions of people are now connected via the powerful social utility platforms like Myspace and Facebook.  I was reluctant to embrace this contemporary form of networking at first.  Mood: Pissed off; Status:  Huh?  Friends?  The concept seemed a little superficial to me.  Reluctantly, I started out with a Facebook page, since most of my "friends" said it was a more "mature" crowd. I thought to myself, "wasn't Facebook set-up to connect college students?" I'm a little removed from that demographic.  Anyways, I spent the requisite time laying out my page, uploading photos and putting together a brief bio.  

Then, like a freckled-faced teenager, I set out to get me some friends!  Much like the freckled-faced teenager, I got off to a slow start.  Now, this is where they get you.  It becomes competitive. How come so and so has more friends than me?  You begin clicking the profiles of others to snatch up some of their friends.  There's no way so and so can have more friends than me!  By then, it's too late......you're hooked-in.  A couple of weeks later, you set-up a Myspace page to see if you can get more friends there........

Aside from the shameless friend connections, social utilities have become powerful tools in the worlds of marketing, politics and advocacy.  The ability to mobilize thousands with the click of a button has revolutionized the way campaigns are run; the way we fundraise for the causes that are important to us; and the way we mobilize people to vote and support issues.  Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has fully embraced social utilities to spread their message and mobilize voters.  You can find all kinds of "groups" on Facebook that seek to rally people around candidates of both parties. 

In terms of social consciousness and philanthropy, Facebook has launched a "Causes" application that allows you to advocate and raise money for the social issues that are important to you.  Organizations, like the Red Cross, Keva Loans, Stand Up Against Cancer are now using this powerful platform to raise awareness and garner monetary support for critical social/wellness issues around the world.  

While these social utilities increase our ability to connect, they also decrease our ability to be focused and productive at work.  Inbox:  President George W. Bush wants to be your friend.  Yikes!  Better delete that one!  Hmm, I think I need to change my profile picture.  I wonder what Gov. Sarah Palin's "mood" is right now........You get the picture.          

 

Check Please

I was reminiscing this morning a little bit about days gone by.  In high school, I wanted a new pair of Air Jordans, a brand new pair of parachute pants and I remember having a hearty appetite after a night of living it up with my friends.  Ahh, the good ol' days right?  Then I began to deflate a little bit thinking about that one friend who always ordered the most expensive thing on the menu and never had the cash to pay for it.  You know the one.  You all had at-least one blood sucking leach in your crew who always had the propensity to say:  "Man, I forgot my wallet.  Do you think you can get me this time?  Problem was, "this time" was more like "every time." So, there you were stuck with the bill and your so called buddy got yet another free pass.  Sound familiar?

Knee deep in the negotiations of a 700 billion dollar government bailout of the stock market, I can't help but think, damn!  I'm stuck with the bill again!  Problem is the blood sucking leach is no longer the friend that could get regulated with a beat down--its the federal government.  Wall Street, with their aviricious appetite once again gets a free pass.  The so-called "market experts" couldn't see this coming?  When housing prices skyrocketed over a year ago, I couldn't help but think, "How can the average, middle class family afford these inflated mortgages?"  For the majority of America, who live paycheck to paycheck, how on earth are they going to afford housing?  Yet the banks, who were well aware that most people couldn't afford to pay the bill continued to set the banquet table for people who really couldn't afford the meal.  

Whose to blame?  I think we all can assume at-least some of the responsibility.  But, an unregulated market driven by greed can force the hand of  Main Street USA by forcing us to pay more than we can afford to for shelter and other sustenance needs (feel free to insert gas prices here).   

How much do you think I can get for those parachute pants in the closet on ebay? 

A Surge in Public Health Interest

Are college students today becoming more interested in health related careers?  According to an article in the Washington Post today the answer would be yes.  College campuses across the country are increasing their offerings in public and global health to meet the surging student demand.  My first reaction was; is this an opportunistic response to the growing demand for health care professionals both nationally and abroad?   Do young people recognize the immediate opportunities that are out there for them in health related careers once they graduate?  In most of the U.S. urban markets, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, the demand is so stark that students typically have job offers well before they even graduate.  To my surprise, the article refreshingly points to a youth movement that is "communitarian" and action oriented.  Young people want to make a difference in their communities and in the broader global community. Focusing on global health issues is their strategy to do it.  

Then I got to thinking about the growing demand for bilingual health care professionals.  It is well documented that the Hispanic population in the U.S. is growing exponentially--which invariably leads to a growing bilingual, bicultural population.  One of the best health care career pathways to address the growing need for bilingual health care professionals resides at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).  The NCLR Health Care Career Pathways Initiative works with its Affiliates to link the nation’s future labor force with dynamic industries by creating innovative and replicable partnership models that prepare, retain, and advance Latino workers in quality careers. Through the NCLR Health Care Career Pathways Initiative, NCLR funds and strengthens existing Affiliate programs by incorporating strategies that support the upward mobility and skills acquisition of Latinos in the health care industry. 

The best example of this comprehensive approach to developing Latino health care professionals is the Carreras en Salud model in Chicago.  This award winning program is administered by Instituto del Progreso Latino, an established organization that has been doing tremendous work on Chicago's south side for many years.  The program is a braided initiative that weaves social supports, like case management and job development with integrated educational support to bridge the gap between limited English proficient individuals and high-paying Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) positions.

Since its implementation in early 2005, over 700 students have enrolled in Carreras en Salud – 85 bilingual and bicultural mostly Latina students completed the program and attained their LPN. Graduates have doubled their salaries, earning on average $40,000 per year. 

A great example of personal and economic empowerment during Hispanic Heritage month.

    

Should the South Valley Incorporate?

The University of New Mexico just completed their feasibility report to determine if the unincorporated South Valley should break away from Bernalillo County and become its own municipality.  Rep. Miguel Garcia presented the plan to about 100 residents last night at Rio Grande High School.  

According to the study, sales and property taxes would have to be raised to provide the tax base to support municipal services, such as parks and recreation, fire services and police.  The sales tax increase would basically mean that South Valley patrons would be paying the same 6.75% rate that Albuquerque residents pay for sales within the city.  Not that big a deal right?  Most South Valley residents drive to the "city" to get their goods and services anyway, so most residents will not really feel the impact.  The problem is there is not enough private industry in the area right now to create a robust local economy.  The area has long been an agricultural, small town community that is change averse and does not openly welcome private business neighbors.  Remember when Wal-Mart opened?  The Coors/Rio Bravo Wal-Mart, aka the South Valley Mall, splintered the community in the debate of open space versus economic development.  Most people that were opposed to the Wal-Mart development can be spotted convenience shopping there with the rimmed glasses/mustache disguise.  The final slap-in-the-face with Wal-Mart is that it is currently annexed in Albuquerque--meaning that unless it is re-annexed, gross receipts taxes from the biggest retailer in the area will continue to go to Albuquerque City Government.   

There are other concerns to note, like the hike in property taxes and the building of government facilities, such as a courthouse to collect fees and penalties.  Living in the area, I would like to maintain the small-town, community feel.  However, I know if we are to achieve our own independence, we have to look at an economic development strategy that increases our ability to govern ourselves and provide public goods and services to residents in the area who largely live at or below the poverty level.     

Daddy What do you Do?

Last night I'm sitting on the couch with my 7 year old daughter and I asked her, "Do you know what daddy does for work?" She pauses, then looks at me puzzled and says, "You go to your office right?" So, I'm thinking to myself, wow, my own kid doesn't really know what I do for a living.  I've posed this question before to my mother-in-law and she says:  "I just tell everybody that you work for some nonprofit."  Even my sister, in an attempt to explain what I do to a friend said, "You tell her what you do, since I'm not really sure what you do." Such is the life of a consultant in the public domain.  

I find myself having to tell stories about what I do, especially to those that work in the private sector.  Facilitation & Planning:  "Hmm.....its kinda like doing a business plan with nonprofits, foundations and government agencies.  You help guide them through the process of visualizing what the preferred destination looks like, provide a roadmap to get there and put in highway signs to see if they are on course to arriving at their destination.  You also put in benchmarks along the way so you can determine whether or not you are on the right track, with periodic check-ins to change course if necessary."

  

Public Policy:  "Once the plan is place, we have to determine what type of community/public support is necessary and what types of financing options are available (i.e. state, federal, municipal, local government support).  It's somewhat like going to a bank to fund your business plan, except its public money.  In some cases, there may not be money involved at all.  Rather, you might be looking at a state or federal law or a specific policy that needs to be put in place so you can open for business or ensure that your business runs smoothly.  In other cases you may just want to educate the public on the implications if action is not taken.  (i.e. global warming/carbon emissions)    

Research & Evaluation:  Now that you have your doors are open for business, you want to know how well your business is performing.  Using scientific research methods, you seek to determine how well you are meeting the targeted needs of your clients.  Is your plan working? Does it need to be modified? What types of success stories can you tell to inform others of your impact?  What are the hard numbers or percentages that articulate  levels of success?   

When I speak to other consultants in the field, we often talk about setting up a support group to talk about these and other issues in educating the public of our work.  For now, this explanation still may draw blank looks from my 7 year old, but hopefully for those of you not currently in 2nd grade this explanation will suffice.   

The Plight of the Farm Worker

In the midst of a national housing crisis, what largely goes unnoticed is the deplorable, inhumane living conditions of the farm worker.  Our national focus remains the recent subprime mortgage snafu, while hundreds of agricultural laborers are denied the dignity of basic shelter for themselves and their families.  Many of these laborers who work tirelessly in grueling conditions are sleeping underneath trucks, in parking-lots or camping in the orchards.

Aside from the living conditions, these workers labor in triple-digit temperatures 10-12 hours a day so we can enjoy produce on our dinner tables.  In fact, a 63 year old mother of nine recently died from dehydration and heat stroke having endured back breaking labor in 111 degree heat. Her death marked the 6th heat related death in the fields in a 3 month period.

We cannot ignore these violations of basic human rights nor should we allow people to be flippant about a person's citizenship in the face of these conditions.  The right to safe drinking water, food and basic shelter should be afforded to EVERYONE regardless of age, gender, race or creed.  

During Hispanic Heritage month, take the time to research Cesar Chavez and his lasting legacy to improve the lives of the poorest and most powerless members of our workforce.  Visit the United Farm Workers website to see how you can make a difference to improve the plight of agricultural workers.  But most importantly, when eating your fruits and vegetables at the dinner table, be mindful that there is exploitation and injustice happening in the fields--and we can do something about it.     

The Bush Doctrine

A day after her interview with Charles Gibson, most of the political analysts, media rags and bloggers will be focused on Gov. Sarah Palin's blank expression when asked about the Bush Doctrine.  Gov. Palin obviously did not know the particulars of the doctrine, choosing to focus on the broad stroke foreign policy objectives of the current administration.

To be quite honest, I had know idea what the Bush Doctrine was.  I would venture to say that most Americans don't know the particulars of the "Doctrine." So, how will this affect our perceptions of Gov. Palin's readiness to lead?  Very little, I'm assuming.  I can see now, however, why the GOP held Gov. Palin back from doing media interviews.  She looked visibly nervous and stiff throughout the interview.  The "Palin Bounce" was more of a dribble with a flat ball last night with the GOP vice presidential nominee sticking to canned rhetoric instead of fluid responses to some pretty tough questions.  What I saw was a false sense of confidence in the presence of a seasoned, informed reporter.   

In other news, our presidential nominees showed spirited support for National Service at the ServiceNation Summit last night.  Both candidates pledged their support to double the number of service opportunities for citizens to respond to the most pressing needs in our country. Being a huge advocate for National Service, I was pleased to see the candidates publicly support a National Service agenda that will mobilize more volunteers to assist in our educational, environmental, healthcare and social justice efforts.    

Paving the Way for Future Generations

September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month. Festivities will take place throughout the country and in our own great state of New Mexico to celebrate the people who helped pave the way for people like me. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Have we come a long way? Absolutely. Do we still have a lot of work to do to improve the way Latinos live and work in this country? You bet. It is important however to take a moment to reflect on some of the great strides we’ve made. Cesar Chavez single-handedly began an entire movement to improve the plight of Latino workers. U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez of New Mexico was the first United States Senator of Hispanic origin. As for me, I will be thinking of these national leaders who helped shape our heritage and our lives in this country. In addition, I will be thinking of my own heroes in life, who taught me strength in faith and unity in family.


I will be thinking of my Grandma, who cared for us when we were sick by giving us “remedios” instead of the western medicine prescribed to us. I will think of the smell of fresh tortillas in her kitchen, her faith in God, and her ability to connect an entire family with tradition, faith and love. She will not appear in a history book, or in an internet google search, but she taught me how to keep my Mexican heritage and succeed in America. Be sure to take a moment to honor your heroes who helped pave the way for future generations.

Alicia M. Manzano is a member of the Hispanic Statement of Cooperation.  She is an expert in fund development and marketing with special emphasis in Latino marketing.

Hispanic Student Population Doubles

According to a recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center, the number of Hispanic students in America's public schools has more than doubled from 1990 to 2006, accounting for 60% of the total enrollment growth over that period.  There are currently an estimated 10 million Hispanic students in public kindergarten, middle school and high schools in the U.S.  Hispanics account for 1 in 5 students in U.S. schools.

Unfortunately, more than a quarter (28%) of Hispanic students attending public school in the U.S. live in poverty, as compared to 16% of non-Hispanic students.  However, with a growing Hispanic population in U.S. schools, multicultural values and traditions will continue to shape public education in the U.S.  With a growing need for bilingual professionals, Hispanic students--where 7 in 10 students speak Spanish at home--become a valuable asset in a vibrant global economy. 

There are advocates on both sides of the aisle of the assimilation/acculturation argument. However, with a rapidly growing Hispanic population in the U.S., our schools, healthcare institutions, businesses and invariably marketers will have to adapt to more of a bicultural population that influences our local culture with traditions, music, food and language from their homeland.

Vote 18-24

The presidential pendulum can swing in either direction depending on youth turnout at the polls.  According to a story on KOB TV 4 in Albuquerque, youth voted at only a 42% rate in the 2004 presidential election.  

Vote 18, a national nonprofit was in Albuquerque on Monday to persuade the 18-24 demographic to get out and vote.  So, exactly how do you get youth out to vote?  First, I think you need to get them fired up about the issues in their community.  No young person likes siphoning the ATM machines to pay for gas.  Furthermore, young people don't need the added stress of wondering how they are gonna pay for medical bills when they see the Doctor.   Several nonprofit groups in New Mexico focus on mobilizing youth around issues that most affect them and their communities.  Groups like Young Women United, who champion comprehensive sex education. The New Mexico Youth Alliance, who partner with the Lt. Governor's Office and the Children's Cabinet to promote positive youth development throughout the state. New Mexico Civic Engagement who organize to develop engaged citizens and future community leaders.  Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) who work diligently to bring social justice issues affecting youth to the forefront.  SAGE Council who work on water rights and issues affecting Native American communities.  

The youth vote will likely navigate the course for our country in the next four years, while local youth organizing groups will continue to shape statewide policy and have an impact on our most treasured resources--our communities and our people.   

Flotation Device for Fannie and Freddie

The big news today is the government bail out of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.  The move prompts us to think about the tax implications since it is tax payer financed.  Early indications are that interest rates will drop, which should stimulate new purchases.  However, there are certainly more questions than answers regarding the potential impact of the move.

Music Without Message

As I was reading an article about Rage Against the Machine and what they were doing to protest partisan politics.  I had to rewind back the proverbial 8-track mind to think about the protest music of the late 60's and early 70's.  Edwin Starr was singing; "War, what is it good for?"  Marvin Gaye released his groundbreaking What's Going On album that raised awareness about the environment (Mercy, Mercy Me), poverty (Make Me Wanna Holla) and other important social issues of the day.  Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and even the Godfather of Soul James Brown all used the most powerful media platform--music--to elevate the mind and move the soul towards action.  

Unfortunately, Rage Against the Machine is an anomaly in a music scene entrenched in shallow content and little substance.  I ask friends about this, and the most common answer I get is: "My life is hard as it is.  I don't need to be thinking about anything when I listen to music.  Its my release."  Or, "I like the beat.  I don't really listen to the lyrics."

Hip-hop artist/mogul  Diddy--I think that's what his name is this week--makes matters worse by dumbing down the issues to try to connect with young voters.  Anyone see his YouTube videos?  I respect the effort to mobilize youth to vote.  What I don't respect is the message or lack there of.  I think he should stick to "Shaking his Tailfeather."

My younger friends get on my case by saying that there are artists in hip-hop that do have a message in their music.  They're just "underground."  My question then becomes;  "How can we get this music to see the light of day?"  I'm a child of the 80's and remember the groundbreaking work of Public Enemy.  I contrast their work against what I hear on the airwaves these days and there is no comparison.  But, I also wonder if there would be a market today for their music?  Probably pretty small I would imagine.  

Anyways, you can find me thumbing through old crates of 12" singles and boxes of 8-track tapes until we figure this one out.         

The Power of Words

Interesting graphic in the New York Times today that highlights the words most often used by Republicans and Democrats on the campaign trail.  As you will see, Republicans most often reference God while Democratics most frequently reference change.   

ServiceNation

Next week marks the 7th anniversary of one of the worst attacks on American soil in history.  On 9/11 we will remember the horror of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and all of the innocent lives lost. We will also remember the bravery of the fireman, police men and women and the hundreds of volunteers that rose up to respond to the challenges in our darkest hour.  

On September 11th and 12th, 2008 leaders in government, business, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector will gather in New York to lay out a bold plan for service and volunteerism in our country.  The ServiceNation Summit will bring together about 500 leading Americans who will spark the conversation on national service to help build enthusiasm and momentum for the ServiceNation campaign.  The intended outcome of the summit is to come up with a national blueprint for service and volunteerism that makes civic engagement a top priority in the political and community landscapes.

New Mexico has been a catalyst in driving a civic engagement agenda.  In 2006, Governor Bill Richardson, Lt. Governor Diane Denish, the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism and concerned citizens throughout the state developed The Blueprint for Civic Engagement which serves as a statewide roadmap to service and volunteerism opportunities in the state.  The Blueprint also incorporates policy recommendations to increase service and volunteerism and civic engagement opportunities in New Mexico to effectively respond to the educational, health, environmental and economic needs of our state.   Volunteer hours in New Mexico have had nearly a billion dollars in impact.

The ServiceNation summit will be televised on CNN and will feature appearances by presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.    

  

Pitbull with Lipstick

Governor Sarah Palin answered any questions about her ability to connect with her base last night.  Her introduction to the American public was a quick glance at her family album and a glaring stare back at the Democratic presidential ticket.  The direct hits to Sen. Obama's resume, particularly his community organizing experience is sure to get a response.  Having worked the majority of my life in community-based organizations, the role of an organizer is pivotal in connecting community resources to those most in need.  I'm sure there were plenty of others aside from Sen. Obama that found this offensive.  

Amidst all the attacks and cynicism, there was little to be found by way of substance.  What is your plan to improve the economy?  What are you going to do to improve health care for the uninsured and underinsured?  What is your plan to withdraw troops from an unpopular war?  I'm pretty sure Sen. John McCain will cover these points in his acceptance speech tonight.  However, Gov. Palin is the one who continues to tout all of her executive experience, so what would she do to bring about change if she was the Commander in Chief?

One thing is for sure, if this campaign turns into a brawl--which, invariably it will--the self-proclaimed pitbull with lipstick will be ready to fight.     

Country First?

The John McCain sales pitch was loud and clear last night as the Republicans opened their National Convention .  The predictable McCain "the war hero" characterization was repeated over and over again throughout the speeches by Sen. Joe Lieberman and former presidential candidate Fred Thompson.  I must admit, Thompson did a very good job of telling McCain's story.  However, he also underscored one very important point--being a war hero doesn't particularly mean you are ready to run a country.  

Now, let's turn to the convention's rallying cry--"Country First."  If the Republicans had put "Country First" 8 years ago, we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.  Country First-foreign only dependency.  We continue to jones for foreign oil, while the Republicans fail to prioritize cleaner energy solutions, like wind, geothermal and solar.  Country First-national security.  We continue to exhaust much needed resources to support a war in Iraq that we should have never engaged in.  Billions go to Iraq each day to support the war, putting our country further and further in debt, while Iraq reports approximately 90 billion in surplus.   Country First-health care.  We have record numbers during the Bush Administration of children and families that are uninsured or underinsured in our country.  Country First--Poverty.  The economic prosperity for Americans, not in the upper 5% percentile is at an all-time low.  What is the Republican Party's plan--more tax breaks for large corporations. 

Sounds an awful lot like "Country First" to me.  The question is:  "What Country Are They Talking About?"      

Passing the Test

In early 2006, about 6 months after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans, I had the opportunity to witness the devastation first hand.  The sight of homes lifted from their foundations relocated to the middle of residential streets.  Cars positioned head first through broken windows in abandoned homes. The now infamous circle symbol with quadrants representing people missing and animals dead.  And the horrible sight of complete devastation and inactivity from the federal government in the Lower 9th Ward.  

Three years later, it was good to see that we have learned from our mistakes.  While the threat from Hurricane Gustav still lingers, the proactive approach taken by FEMA and the Federal Government gives me hope that we can get past cronyism and failed bureaucracy to a more responsive government.  Furthermore, the levee on the Industrial Canal which breached during Katrina, is only reporting about 6 inches of water by late Monday afternoon--passing its first significant test.  

While it is way too early to assess the damage of Gustav, there are positive signs that catastrophic conditions were averted because of the lessons learned from Katrina.    

Labor Day: What it means

First of all, Happy Labor Day to everyone.  I hope everyone enjoys this day off (obviously I'm not taking heed to my own advice).  Now, how did Labor Day come to be?  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."  

In contemporary times, those from "rude nature" would include the garbage collectors, the construction workers and the farm workers who endure long hours, little benefits and do back-breaking work so we can behold some grandeur.  We should also reflect on the civil rights leaders who worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of these workers so they too might behold some grandeur.  Today, I will be thinking of Cesar Chavez, who made great personal sacrifices to improve the plight of farm workers across the United States.  I had the pleasure of meeting Chavez's granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez this past year in Albuquerque.  Through her work with the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Chavez's legacy of maximizing human potential, improving communities and service reverberate through school halls and communities throughout our country.  

I will also be thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the work he did with the garbage workers of the south just prior to his death.  Aside from improving the economic and social conditions of the marginalized in our society, Dr. King's message of SERVICE to each other; to our communities; and to those in our global community resonates as loud as ever.  His definition of greatness reads as follows:  "If you want to be important wonderful.  If you want to be recognized, wonderful.  If you want to be great wonderful.  But recognize that he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."  

So, in that spirit, we honor those who "carve all the grandeur we behold," and also honor those who believed grandeur is achieved by being a servant to the community.    

Caught Up In A Haze

An interesting article in the Albuquerque Journal North explains the growing prevalence of sexual hazing in high school sports.  According to the article, 45 sexual hazing incidents occur per year, with an estimated 50 percent of all hazing incidents on high school and college campuses involving sodomy.

Hazing in sports has been happening since football players wore leather helmets with no face mask.  However, the growing brutality of these initiations now has parents increasingly concerned about their child's physical and emotional safety playing team sports.  A couple of nights ago, I watched local media coverage of the Las Vegas Robertson team preparing for a game without its coach and 6 players that were suspended from the team for allegedly hazing and sodomizing teammates.  What immediately struck me was the dismissive attitude of parents interviewed saying things like; "I think our team is ready for the game and we are getting past this incident."  My first thought was "what about the victims and their families?    What are the long term implications for them?" 

I also had to ask myself; "what if the perpetrator(s) were gang affiliated?"  The uproar would be out of control!  An initiation into a gang seems like a walk in the park compared to this.  Don't get me wrong, I don't condone violence in any of its manifestations.  However, our society tends to put athletes on a pedestal making them heroic figures in the community.  I don't want to cast a shadow of negativity over our athletes--or those involved in gangs for that matter.  What I am saying is a crime is a crime--period--and should be treated as such.   

Hockey Mom Named McCain Running Mate

Gun toting, maverick Governor Sarah Palin has been named John McCain's running mate leading into the Republican National Convention.  Controversial?  Absolutely.  Ms. Palin has been in office as Governor of Alaska for 2 years.  Hasn't John McCain been attacking Baracka Obama for his lack of experience?  Seems like a contradiction to me.

On a second front, this seems like a strategic move to bring Hillary Clinton supporters over to the GOP.  A risky move at best.  Media outlets, such as CNN have been getting bombarded by emails from women that the move seems patronizing.  I've even heard Gov. Palin using Hillary Clinton's now infamous "glass ceiling reference."  The parallels between the two are minimal:  Hillary is a former First lady and current Senator in one of the most populated states in the U.S. Palin is Governor of Alaska, a state that has about half the people of Coney Island.  Hillary has been on the international stage when it comes to diplomacy and policy.  Palin has played tiny hoops with the townies at the County Fair.  

A bold move to say the least.  Let's see if the GOP's "Change Agent" resonates with independent and undecided voters in November.  

But Can He Lead?---Yes, He Can

Last night, Barack Obama's acceptance speech answered any questions about his readiness to lead this country.  Summoning the ghosts of MLK past, Obama's passionate speech carried the message of change, but also delivered the substance of what change really means in his 4o+ minute speech.  

What struck me was Obama finally took off the gloves and delivered some punches below the beltline.  Remember the line:  "I don't think its because John McCain doesn't care......I think its because he doesn't know."  The conservative right will be quick to call it "ageism", but what he was trying to get across is the disconnect between McCain and common middle class folks---the middle class that is well, below the $5 million dollar per year threshold.  

Another thing that struck me was Mike Murphy, the Republican strategist saying that if he was still advising Republican leadership, he would say:  "Houston, we have a problem!"  This coming from a man that defends Bush and failed policies ad nauseum.  

Let's see how McCain's VP nomination and the Republican National Convention stems this surge of momentum gained by the Democrats last night.  

NMCF Hosts SBHC Dedications This Week

Albuquerque, NM

The New Mexico Community Foundation (NMCF), along with its many partners and supporters gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the new School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at Wilson Middle School. School-Based Health Care is a pillar of support in NMCF's New Mexico Integrated Services in Schools Initiative (NMISSI) that serves students in urban, rural and tribal areas across the state.  Other key supports include:  Extended Day Learning (EDL) and Family Supports and Services.

As part of the weeklong celebrations, NMCF also dedicated SBHCs at Grant Middle School and Laguna Middle School--which is the first NMISSI site on tribal land.  

School-Based Health Centers fill a significant void among uninsured youth by providing primary care, mental and behavioral health and dental services in a school setting.  The goal is to promote children's intellectual, emotional and physical growth for success in school and life.

NMISSI is made possible through the generous support of NMCF, The Atlantic Philanthropies and state and local government.  For more information, go to www.nmcf.org.