Back at the ranch...the board keeps working.

The intent of this blog was to let interested parties, particularly the senior team and the board at the Beatitudes, weigh in on my experiences and observations from the various organizations I visited. Last week, I posted the questions that I'm exploring, and asked for feedback on them. (They are posted under "Research Questions" on the face page of the blog.) Two board members responded and posed some interesting fodder for discussion:

Dr. Neil Ward, Board member and Chair of our Ethic Committee asked about the political scene. He wondered if my colleagues are satisfied w/ AAHSA's public policy efforts. (AAHSA is the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and represents over 5600 not-for-profit providers of senior services throughout the country. They do a great job!) Neil went on to ask "If all politics are local, are they focused enough?" Great question, and one that I will share not only on my study tour but with the staff of AAHSA as well. Boiling it down, I think Neil's wondering if our efforts in DC are mirrored back home with our 5600 organizations, at the community level where incremental change occurs, where Washington politics is really played out.

Brad Stouffer also responded to my last posting with this question for my hosts: "What do you envision the next growth in services in aging will be in the coming 5-10 years, and is your staff/board prepared for it?" This question probably cuts to the very heart of the work of all not-for-profit boards...Are we ready for the future? Are we going to drive it, manage it carefully and thoughtfully, or is it going to drag us along?

Great questions! Big questions, befitting of a great board that knows it's job is not just to perpetuate our mission, but to influence the world around us.

I'm also adding one question to my cadre of inquiries. It has to do with the qualities of the individual leaders at each organization on my tour. It was interesting to watch my good friend and colleague Denise Rabidoux "in action" with her team. The leaders I am visiting are all very different people, and I suspect they will have very different approaches to management and team work. We'll see!

For now, God bless.

Peggy