AROUND THE CENTER:
Leaders' Links Program Expands
The Mandel Center's Leaders' Links program was launched in response to the expressed needs of nonprofit executives to reduce their isolation and to forge meaningful connections through peer learning and networking.
The Mandel Center has created and supported nine Leaders' Links groups in Cuyahoga County since 2001. The newest Link began to meet in late September. Recruitment for Link 10 is currently underway. In addition, the Mandel Center, in collaboration with the Nonprofit and Public Service Center at Lakeland Community College, initiated Mandel Center Leaders' Links/Lakeland in early 2007. This collaboration makes the Links' experience available to nonprofit executives in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties.
This summer, the Center revamped a partner program for nonprofit executive directors/presidents/CEOs with less than two years' tenure in their positions. Links for New Leaders, formerly known as Leaders' Network, offers the same opportunity for peer learning and connection as Leaders' Links, plus an additional benefit to connect a participant to a veteran nonprofit leader for purposes of learning more deeply about or resolving an organizational issue. The Mandel Center facilitates this connection.
The growth and success of the program is attributed to specific benefits that participants have experienced and identified. They include:
- Shared expertise and information: The essence of the "Links" concept is peer learning and shared expertise. Every member receives five or six expert opinions on issues brought to the group, as well as the group's undivided attention and support.
- Shared resources, resulting in significant time and cost savings for members: Members generously share plans, board policies, organization procedures, and other documents with each other. They also provide names of tested and trusted professional firms specializing in nonprofit issues, consultants, and other local resources with each other. This saves participants enormous time and expense.
- Cross-Link networking: The Mandel Center facilitator introduces and links members of different Links who are addressing common issues. Participants have received needed assistance and support in this way when working on complex issues such as capital campaigns, board engagement, employment policies, insurance, and staff benefit packages.
- Strategic alliances and collaborations: Important strategic alliances and organization collaborations have been created, as participants develop an awareness of common interests, an understanding of each other's organizations, and a mutual trust that is necessary for successful partnerships.
- Significant personal support: Participants have helped each other through job transitions, preparation for retirement, and family difficulties. Participation in Links' programs has provided many members with a safe environment in which to voice and begin to resolve some of the most difficult of life's challenges - challenges that whether personal or professional cannot help but have implications for their organization. In addition, numerous participants have stated that they came to the day's session to shake off a bad day or to just be with people who "get" what they go through.
- Lasting professional relationships and friendships: Members often form important professional relationships as well as friendships as a result of their participation.
- Fun and relaxation: Members find humor, even when dealing with tough issues. In a group of peers, they are able to lighten up as they talk. The smiling, laughter, and camaraderie during Links' sessions have value themselves, but they also give members perspective in a job that can be not only extremely demanding but also isolating.
According to Michele Murphy, MNO, lead facilitator for both programs, Leaders' Links and Links for New Leaders compare extremely favorably to other forms of professional development learning and support.
"They are extremely cost effective as they combine learning that is immediately applicable with peer coaching and support," Michele said. "They also offer important networking and collaborative opportunities that can benefit a participant's organization for years to come."
Michele reports that expansion plans are underway to broaden and strengthen opportunities for nonprofit executives to learn and connect.
For information on how to become involved in a Leaders' Link or a Link for New Leaders, contact Michele at 216.368.5214 or michele.murphy@case.edu.
