Five Produce Sharing Ideas

Years ago we coordinated an informal garden produce exchange at a local church. People brought in their extras, and those who needed or had use for it took what they wanted-no questions asked.

Years later we began sharing our abundance with others. What we didn't grow we picked at local farms. Since we were picking for ourselves, and were already there, we began asking for donations to share at church. We obtained a receipt book from the church. At the height of the season we brought in two pick up trucks filled with boxes of produce. We washed, trimmed and displayed it. Anything that remained was taken to Blanchet House. Blanchet house is downtown Portland. They prepare meals 365 days a year for anyone that comes through their doors. We always appreciated their willingness to make use of anything we brought in.

In a recent post we added a picture of a raised bed. All the produce in this raised bed is free. The US Marines grow this garden. Many small businesses have room to grow a raised bed. Produce can be used to prepare group meals to improve nutrition at work. Moreover working together in the garden builds relationships.

One church near downtown has historically grown a row in their community garden for the food bank.

Finally, many nonprofits serve persons in need. There are many ways to share produce. One is through a work share. Rather than a hand out, a person requesting assistance could volunteer at a garden and receive part of the bounty.

Publishing Online Courses

Recently we explored how to post online course content. A member of our team worked on a project for a group of fifty churches in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This group is one of 29 affiliated districts across the United States. Making online content available would allow users across the District or across the country the opportunity to receive standardized training. Courses can also be sold or syndicated for a percentage of the price. Here is one of the portals we found. 
 http://odijoo.com/pages/overview/create_online_courses

Publishing E-Books the Easy Way

Last night our consulting manager and creative coach heard an excellent presentation on Scivner software for writers. It can be downloaded free for 30 days of usage. Some of the advantages of Scrivner it that it allows users to build a manuscript in parts and rearrange the parts without having to scroll through a document to cut and paste. It also automatically formats the manuscript to a variety of e-book formats. We had planned to purchase it, however our IT genius, downloaded it free for 30 days so we can try it out.

Our "creative coach" is a prolific writer. She inspires us to try new things. Her first novel in a series is completed and the second is well underway. Scrivner will allow her to import her manuscript into Scrivner and make a much cleaner copy than can be produced in Word. It offers the additional advantage of automatic formatting to allow submission for e-books.

Deep End of The Pool-Learning to Do Business With the State

For the past week we have been investigating new opportunities, and learning new things.

About a week ago we began conversing an Oregon State employee about public-private partnerships. He has been a great source of information and tremendously helpful. Now that we have become acquainted with the process of doing business with Oregon, we are beginning to review specific opportunities. We are planning to attend a special training session.

Risk Management, Research and Reward

Despite clearly defined roles, entrepreneurs must wear many hats. Examples include operations manager, business manager, procurement, contract negotiation, logistics, resource management, inventory control, planning, company liaison, marketing, sales, workshop and curricula design and much more.

Yesterday we spent time reviewing risk management in the area of contracts and procurement. Today was a day to work on project residuals, followed by more research. In addition, we put our name in the hat for a curricula related project.

Risk and reward are intrinsically linked. Without risk there is no prospect of reward, and rewards require an ability weigh and mitigate (transfer) risk. Success requires integrity, tenacity and a willingness to collaborate and build strategic partnerships. It also requires clarity and perspective.

Simplifying Business Processes

Today we had a company meeting to discuss how to finance operations. Volunteering in a disaster warehouse last Summer aided in understanding some business processes. We've reviewed websites of businesses that started off where we are today. Both now have several employees and at least one has a government contract. Many questions and tasks remain. We have a contact that can obtain a manufacturing bid subject to our partners agreement. Bids are only good for thirty days, and we have to think through logistics and storage options. Our focus is to start with what we understand, what we can do, and to keep things simple.

Government Contracts: Assessing the Learning Curve

After wading through information on the Small Business Administration's website, one thing is clear. Contracting with the Federal government requires the ability to navigate several processes. They do offer a mentor-protege opportunity for businesses that meet certain criteria. Doing business at the State level appears more manageable. Having a contact that can answer questions really helps a lot. We spent half a day combing through details. We have found that anything worth doing requires a learning curve. From a practical stand point we are interested in staying local and desire to focus on relationship-based services. Our desire is to learn about these processes so we can be a resource for other companies that want to move in that direction too. Helping others through the process is rewarding and reinforces our own learning processes.

Doing Business With the Government

For a while now we have had an interest in public-private partnerships. This is defined as a business providing a product or service under certain conditions. One of the areas we are looking at is pre-disaster agreements with the government. Private agreements are easier to understand and implement.

Information about doing business with the government can be found on the Small Business Administration website, and the Oregon Emergency Management website. Recently we had a conversation with a State employee and he graciously provided five links to help us understand these opportunities. A few years ago we developed a simple, light weight product that meets an unmet need in disaster preparedness. We have kept a conception journal, and consulted with several persons. It's not the kind of product that needs a patent because of the likelihood of knock off products.

A few things have changed since we began such as a higher level of awareness of the need, our exposure to experts that might consider endorsing our product as one solution to the problem, and the possibility of a government contract. All this is future speculation and in the mean time we are examining a range of options that fit within the scope of our mission and vision statement. 

Neighborhood Engagement

See pictures under our "Abolish Hunger Now" post.

We are believers in neighborhood engagement. Our interests range from fitness and recreation, to leisure and hobbies, to caring for neighbors through relationship-based resources at the neighborhood level coupled with coordinated sustainability efforts. Last night two members of our team drove to a church in NE Portland to watch "Life of Pi". There we had comfortable seating, ample space, heavenly refreshments, enjoyed talking to people we know and didn't know. In late August, a professional opera singer is bringing her talents to a church in our own neighborhood. We have a neighbor that sings popular music in a quartet and we attend two or three performances a year. Another neighbor invited us to attend a Greek history class. One of our team accepted the invitation, not because of a desire to learn about Greek history, but to develop a good relationship with our neighbor. In turn she accepted the invitation to go to a six week nutrition class nearby.

We envision neighborhoods as a place with organized bicycle rides, local hikes, book clubs, nutrition classes, ball games, and movies. A couple months ago our consulting manager visited Rahab's Sisters. This organization meets in Portland near 82nd avenue and reaches out to women affected by prostitution and homelessness. We value this organization because services are provided on the front porch of where these things take place. Access is everything whether people are marginalized by society, lack financial resources or transportation. Bringing services down to the neighborhood level improves access and helps build relationships. In our post "Abolish Hunger Now" there is a sign listing community partners. This concept can be used at the neighborhood level, by inviting businesses, churches, nonprofits, the neighborhood association and others together.

First describe strengths of your neighborhood. Second, dare to envision a vibrant neighborhood characterized by neighbors that know each other, make good use of public parks and other public spaces, and offer a wealth of free activities for all to enjoy. Engagement needs to happen at all levels. Think about hosting a MOM's group, indoor play park, after school program, sports camp, day camps, art drop in center, teen drop in center. For families consider potlucks in the park or a progressive dinner (one course at each of several homes), family basketball or swim, camp outs, scavenger hunts and guided bike tours. The possibilities are endless. Seniors need to belong too. Many are able to read to children, serve as surrogate grand parents, teach a young person a trade or skill.

Rather than churches, businesses and special interest completing, invite representatives to the table. Work together to develop a composite talent pool and times of availability. Once the calendar is fleshed out and meets diverse neighborhood needs, ask community partners to provide resources. Resources may include facilities, equipment, personnel or finances. Try marketing activities with a neighborhood calendar. Use EventBrite to manage signups and track interest and attendance. Track volunteer hours and services provided to aid in securing additional funding. Simple statistics can be used to measure and communicate the value of neighborhood engagement.  

Neighborhood Sharing - Part 3

This post is a continuation of neighborhood sharing. A local business man opened his facility to thirty two faith-based nonprofits. This allows for collaboration, creativity and resource sharing. David Madore, owner of US Digital Outreach, provides a secretary, and facilities manager. He provides a lunch room, conference rooms, an exercise room for their use. Downstairs there is a cafe. He stocks the cafe and 100% of proceeds helps to support these nonprofits on a rotating basis. This allows nonprofits to cut operating costs, and funnel their finances to provide services. There is a wide range which includes home schooling, school mentors, youth theater, missions organizations, and more. His willingness to provide space for nonprofits, brought resources to one location which has improved schools, helped local neighborhoods, provided needed resources for families, and opportunities to work with local churches, nonprofits and businesses to magnify the benefits. His business which has to do with solar panels has flourished. There is a big push for public-private relationships. Building relationships with the city, community organizers, and other groups may allow for creative use of public spaces and resources to benefit neighborhoods. In the absence of these partnerships, neighborhood associations may promote the idea by asking local churches and businesses to make room for business start ups and small nonprofits, particularly those with a neighborhood focus. Extend these agreements and grow gardens in the space between the sidewalk and street. This is a popular trend in low income and wealthier neighborhoods. Those who have no interest in gardening, can make the space available for those who have no access to land, have too much shade to grow a garden, for a produce sharing arrangement, to build community relationships or to donate the produce to neighbors in need. This can also be done block by block. Residents can commit to a single task (such as building planting boxes, adopt a planting box to maintain, or a block of time. Water is furnished by the homeowner. It doesn't require much water to garden on this scale, however making use of this space can produce a lot of food to help build relationships, improve neighborhood food security, nutrition, education and foster creativity. High school youth now need service credits to graduate. What better way than to serve those in their own community.

Neighorhood Sharing-Part 2

The last post focused on sharing kitchens, food preservation equipment, trucks and more. This post will explain how businesses can play a role in this model and why it is important. We live in a neighborhood with a savvy business man. He figured out it was profitable to donate $40.00 to the neighborhood association for each sale from neighbors. In turn, the neighborhood association hand delivers his flyer with the neighborhood newsletter to every home in the neighborhood. For him that is cheap advertizing and he is doing his part to support the local neighborhood. Neighborhood sharing is about reciprocity and community. Sharing can come in the form of labor, equipment, information, professional services or resources. Resources may include a children's clothing, toy or furniture exchange. This helps families provide for the need of growing children. Local gardeners may decide on seed, plant or produce swap. By doing this they cut their own cost and may contribute extra produce to help local neighbors, teach gardening to local school children or at the neighborhood community center. Trading services such as child or elder care. lawn care or house keeping services can help households improve their cash flow. A mechanic may trade for a massage or a dentist may trade for lawn care. The relationship aspect is the most important element of resource sharing, however it can also help residents, churches and businesses cut costs. A church can offer space to a scouting group in exchange for periodic building improvements such as installing a water feature, prayer garden or outdoor seating. A business can offer volunteers to help staff neighborhood events such as parades, festivals or set up and take down for a farmer's market. They may also permit access for additional parking. Event organizers can help promote local businesses by listing them as event partners, or vendor space at events.

Neighborhood Sharing-Part 1. See new link.

Does your neighborhood have a tool sharing library? This is where local residents can come to preserve food free. Let's take this concept of neighborhood sharing a little further. One commodity neighborhoods need is truck sharing. A truck can be used to deliver food or furniture to persons in the neighborhood, for neighborhood clean up projects, picking up compost, or transfer bartered items within the neighborhood. A shared truck can be used to pick up donated items such as food preservation equipment or garden tools to help build the shared tool library. There are many needs in local neighborhoods. Consider an elderly or disabled person that needs moss removed from their roof. Helping with these simple needs helps those in need, and improves the neighborhood. May neighborhoods have tall grass due to being unoccupied. These houses may attract attention from squatters or vandals. Weeds begin to grow and create a nuisance when weed seeds blow into neighbor's yards. Encourage homeowners to report the status of their move out to the neighborhood association president, who can then delegate someone to make contact with the appropriate person, to obtain permission to mow the grass. Many banks hire individuals to check in on vacant homes, provide upkeep and take digital before and after photos of work performed on the house. Since the bank is going to hire someone anyway, why not work with the bank to hire a local neighbor who may need work, and has an interest in the appearance of the property. Our next post will continue with the theme of neighborhood sharing.


Read more about tool sharing at
SEPTL   http://www.septl.org/retrieved on 08-17-2013.

Neighborhood Safety - Part 3

The first two posts focuses on encouraging businesses to participate with crime prevention and local neighborhoods to increase neighborhood patrols. The second post, focused on how businesses could partner with local neighborhoods to decrease the impact of homeless persons and vagrants on the neighborhood and local businesses. This post focuses on prevention. Many youth have no supervision, sense of direction in life, no positive role models or lack financial resources to focus in youth programs. Businesses can help prevent future social problems, decrease delinquency, increase graduation rates by providing resources for youth. Examples include employee sponsored mentoring programs, and youth engagement days to expose youth to the work world. Community service days would encourage a mentor from a local business to work on community service projects with a youth from the neighborhood. For safety, consider a group of three mentors and three youth on each project. This helps youth by teaching work skills, allowing them to work on a project at their neighborhood school, community center, church or synagogue. It can be graffiti removal, planting flowers in public places, helping the elderly or those with handicaps with yard work or working on an art mural for neighborhood enjoyment. To improve graduation rates, send speakers to the neighborhood school. Offer fourth graders college scholarships, start a tutoring center at neighborhood schools and coordinate the staffing. TO help vulnerable or low income youth, offer enrichment scholarships for bringing up grades, improving behavior or decreasing truancy. Enrichment scholarships allow youth to participate in scouting programs, go to Summer camp, obtain private music lessons, pay athletic fees and more. Again, keep statistics to measure outcomes. By demonstrating successful outcomes, other businesses may decide to participate. This has the potential to lives, decrease what can become life long social problems, break the cycle of poverty, help a youth become the first in the family to graduate from high school or college. It also helps prepare young people to make a positive contribution, and become employable. Businesses that provide mentors may also find it easier to recruit new employees who come recommended by the mentor.

Neighborhood Safety-Part 2

Our first post in this series was on encouraging businesses to work with crime prevention and the local neighborhood by encouraging employees to volunteer with residents to add extra patrols and communicate suspicious activities to police. This post focuses on providing resources to help with social needs within neighborhoods. There is a plethora of social service agencies in Portland. Most are overloaded with requests. Many homeless persons or vagrants are down and out. Some make their living at begging. Those with legitimate needs may not have access to transportation to access available services. Some avoid social services due to bad experiences, a criminal history, substance abuse or mental health problems. Businesses with some financial means can help by funding a neighborhood-based informal drop-in day center. Businesses with meager resources can help by providing sack lunches, coffee, board games, decks of cards, tangible resources such as toiletries or new socks. Rather than donating these to a social service agency with no way to ensure a benefit to the neighborhood, consider working with the neighborhood association, local churches, and businesses to bring resources to those in the neighborhood. A day center may provide sack lunches, and repeated relational contacts. Rather than referring homeless persons elsewhere, work with partner organizations to help provide stabilization to those known to live in or frequent the area. To encourage repeat participation tie provision of tangible resources such as a bus ticket or pair of socks to one per visit. Keep statistics on the number of sack lunches or other services provided to communicate the value. Keep copious notes to see if there are fewer street beggars or if crime diminishes by providing homeless persons a safe place in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Safety-Part 1

A neighborhood is a geographically defined space that may be primarily residential, but include commercial properties too. Improving neighborhood safety is like community policing. It is relationship based. Most cities have programs that allow residents to assist police by adding additional civilian patrols. They work closely with police and report any suspicious activity. Many businesses have security systems, security or safety teams however they often work in isolation protecting only the building or perimeter. We would like to challenge business owners to partner with neighborhood associations and crime prevention officials to take a broader approach by encouraging employees to volunteer as resources within the surrounding neighborhood. This type of partnership may benefit entire neighborhoods and in turn improve the business climate. Another facet of improving neighborhood safety will be addressed in the next post.

Graffiti Removal

Yesterday a member of our team attended a social media class. There was a man disabled confined mostly to a wheel chair cleaning graffiti off the building and pulling weeds. "That is his job", his wife said. "He has done it quietly for years". He remains vigilant and is quick to remove graffiti. It is a known fact that immediate removal discourages further tagging. The product is simply called "Graffiti Removal" and comes in a spray bottle. They bought it at Walmart, but she said it is available at other retail stores too. She said it removes the graffiti without removing the paint. We recommend testing it in an obscure location such as a garbage dumpster since we have not personally tested the product.

Abolish Hunger Now

One of Several Community Gardens-See Sponsoring Partners in 3rd Photo

US Marines Grow this Garden For Anyone in Need

This Partnership Makes Gardens Possible-See next Photo

A Closer View of Community Partnerships

Sustainability comes in a lot of packages. It can refer to food security, agriculture practices, green building, finances, energy, transportation and more. Food security is a big concern. Rising prices, pesticides, lack of access, generational poverty, the high cost of public benefit programs all play a role. Churches, nonprofits and businesses can help by developing sustainable partnerships. For instance a local Lutheran church has partnered with one of the largest health care systems in the United States, several local businesses and Thrivent Financial, a Lutheran organization to create a garden that is now serving apartment dwellers. Yesterday a member of our team interviewed the church secretary and looked at available plans and materials. The church has two master gardeners and several garden mentors available to answer gardening questions for apartment dwellers. Many have never grown a garden before and just need a little guidance. No pesticides are permitted in the garden, and gardeners are asked to use organic seeds. Seed sharing is highly encouraged. Soon we will post pictures that explain this partnership. There are many ways to improve food security. Willamette Christian Church in West Linn receives donated food from Whole Foods. They serve a meal on Sundays at 12:30pm and participants may "shop" for groceries after lunch. Some participants also freeze, can or dehydrate foods when quantities are sufficient. The availability of high quality food and produce helps mitigate health problem, and hunger, but also encourages use of fresh food and food preservation. Growing Gardens is a nonprofit that helps persons who have very low incomes become more sufficient by teaching them how to grow some of their own food. There is a long wait list. Mentors are assigned to help teach gardening skills. The organization uses volunteers to build raised beds, provides containers for gardening on decks or patios, tests for lead in soil if needed, and provides seeds to help gardeners get started. The food stamp program now allows participants to purchase vegetable seeds. Our company is challenging small businesses to incorporate sustainable practices in the workplace that build employee skills. We believe this can serve as a training ground that pays rich dividends. Employees that are exposed to the idea of growing food, preparing healthy food and snacks and breaking bread at work improve relational skills, learn about healthy practices, and eat better. They may in turn take some of what they learn at work and incorporate it at home. We also encourage the idea of family days to help children of employees learn new skills.

Cyber Attack: How We Landed on Both Feet

On Thursday our computer was infected with a Trojan virus. Our IT guy used a work around strategy to restore all functionality in short order. This is just one example of our business continuity efforts to safeguard information and remain operational under adverse conditions. BUSINESS CONTINUITY-Here is the metric for our three year strategic plan. Implement Safety Measures and Work Toward a Succession Plan to Ensure Continued Operations Under Adverse Conditions. Each year we have a set of goals that propels us forward. Our goals for this planning period include 1.Verifying that vendors have a business continuity plan; 2.IT security; and 3.Succession plans. For each goal we have a specific objective each year to strengthen our plan and reduce our vulnerability.

Disaster Planning: Understanding the Long Term Recovery Process

Long term recovery is the least understood, and most expensive phase of disaster response. Within hours of a major disaster there is a preliminary disaster assessment. This usually happens before evacuees are permitted back into the area. This phase begins after search and rescue, triage, first aid, emergency shelter and other immediate needs are met. After a presidential declaration of disaster, FEMA comes for up to 60 days, but it is VOAD partners who carry out 60% of all long term recovery. These groups frequently commit to working in affected areas for a period of months or years. If you live in an area with unmet needs contact your local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) office. If no response, contact your regional or state VOAD office or your local emergency management office. Be prepared to give specific information about needs. Social media messages, particularly text and twitter are more likely to get through following a disaster. Landlines and cell phones will likely be inoperable. Amateur radio is still the gold standard when all other means of communication fail. Consider establishing a business emergency team with HAM operator support. Fire departments and emergency operations centers train with amateur radio operators and they provide emergency communication support during and after a disaster. VOAD can contact your local emergency management office. In order for your County to receive assistance, they are required to stand up a long term recovery group (LTRG). Once the County commits to this and demonstrates follow through VOAD partners step in to work on cases. Once the LTRG becomes operational VOAD partners transfer remaining cases to the LTRG, which continues to work all the cases.

Disaster Planning: Immediately After

Disasters happen on a scale. That scale may be personal, location-specific such as a neighborhood, school or grocery store. It may also be city-wide, regional, national or international. The bottom line is we are directly impacted, perferally impacted or outside the impact zone and able to help others. After evacuating or shethering in place, it's time to do a safety check. Assess immediate safety of the current location. This is called situational awareness. Are there any structural weaknesses or vulnerablities that might affect the location. If so, what are some safer options? Make sure everyone is out of harms way if it is safe to do so. Choose an incident commander if possible. Is there anyone with a safety background. If not, is there an engineer, home builder or administrator that can fill the role? Organize teams but do not put yourself or others at risk. Perform light search and rescue, firstaid, CPR, psychological firstaid, offer to care for children or the elderly only if these functions are within the scope of your training. For those who are not specifically trained, there is still much to do. Here are five things you can do immediately after a disaster. Collect information. Does anyone have a missing family member, friend, neighbor or pet? Do they have a picture or can they give a decription or other pertinent information that would help search and rescue locate them? What resources are available to meet immediate needs? What knowledge, skills, abilities, equipment or facilities do people have or have access to?

Disaster Planning: First Things First

Have multiple copies of your business license, nonprofit certificate, payroll records, insurance policies etc.. For individuals keep vital documents such as pictures, birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates and passports, mortgage status, insurance policies, social security or green cards etc..off site securely. Back up electronic copies and keep additional copies in different secure locations. Rationale: During a technology failure, or scenario involving infrastructure damage there is no access to electronic data. If there is a structural fire, items may be destroyed. After a major earthquake some structures will sustain damage, and 50% of roads may be impassible. Back up copies in more than one location increases the odds of accessing a copy. In optimal conditions these items are time consuming to replace. If systems are down expect delays. Back up payroll records. Keep them secure. Have a work around plan to meet payroll. Rationale: Electronic processing systems will not function. ATM machines will only work if there is a backup generator. Lines will be long if any are operational. In a large scale disaster scenario, barter comes first, then cash. In the case of individuals make plans to ensure short term sustainability in the event of delayed payroll, inoperable electronic processing systems, mandatory or recommended evacuation. Do your vendors have a business continuity plan to prevent a disruption in supplies? If not, consider setting up a resource agreement with alternate vendors in the event your primary vendor doesn't come through. How long can your nonprofit continue to operate without supplies? Consider whether to keep a reserve of supplies that are critical to continued functioning. Also consider what alternate supplies you may need to satisfy your work around plans. For individuals, plan with trusted family, friends and neighbors and have items available for barter. What is you plan to pay vendors? Vendors cannot continue operating without cashflow. Rationale: Each failure to pay increases the the impact. If their business is inoperable, they can't pay their suppliers and their employees can't pay their bills which in turn affects other businesses. Above all 1. Have an clearly defined evacuation plan and meeting place. 2. Have a plan to ensure access to clean, life sustaining drinking water for 2-4 weeks in the valley and 3-6 months on the coast. 3. Have back up communication plans and practice often. Make sure your communication plan is compatible. 4. Keep some emergency supplies off-site, but nearby. If possible have supplies in a remote location also. Think strategically about emergency supplies: water, protection from the elements, then food. Safety should top the list. Consider unique needs such as diabetic supplies, life sustaining medications or an EPI pen. Don't forget pet supplies and plans. Rationale: Dividing supplies increases the likelihood of access. 5. Have a back up plan for power. Power may be off for up to two months in the valley following a major earthquake. 6. Have a plan for sanitation and gargage disposal for 3-6 months in the valley and 1-3 years on the coast. 7. Include others in your planning process. Cooperate before, during and after a disaster. 8. Have a plan to help those with special needs and train with community partners.

Trait, Traitor or Treachery

Good supervisors are sometime found. More often they are made. Supervisors are often selected for certain traits or abilities. Many prospective supervisors can learn tenets of the job, but positve character traits cannot be taught in the same way. A traitor is someone who betrays another person or their own country whereas treachery is a broader concept and might include deliberately or knowingly violating a trust, or systematically undermining a persons confidence. Here are positive primary character traits to consider: Courageous supervisors do what's right, not what's popular. A positive attitude brings out the best in others. Don't take life too seriously. Encourage good clean fun. Be approachable and flexible. Take it a step further. Reach out to the friendless and listen to their story. Supervisors must be fair in their dealings with others. Don't frustrate workers or treat them unfairly. Seek out wise counsel and keep a confidence unless it is unsafe. Being organized, resourceful and having great insight into what makes people tick secondary character traits. A supervisor that is not organized may delegate authority to an employee that is more organized. Traditionally the President has had a team of advisors to brief him on important details. Supervisors can also draw on the resourcefulness of advisors or employees. A wise supervisor understands his or her own limitations and will draw upon expertise of others.

Three Healing Hurdles

Recently a post was submitted called From Pain to Humane. Even the best work situations can heat up when personalities collide. Laying things out in order to draw clear boundaries around behavior is just one part of the process. Three big hurdles include extending grace, placing trust and offering forgiveness. Grace is unearned favor. No one can earn it. No, it is based on notion that all people are inherently valuable. The second, hurdle is placing trust in someone who has fallen short of expectations of behavior or performance. It is hard to rebuild trust when emotions run high, or destructive behavior continue, or performance sags. Inflicting willful harm must be dealt with immediately. Consequences must be made clear and efforts to help or coach an employee need to be well documented. Lastly, forgiveness is necessary so the person who has been hurt can heal, and so the person doing the hurting can be released from guilt. Sometimes a participant can't admit fault. This does not prevent the affected person from extending grace, demonstrating trust or forgiveness.

A Humane Appraisal Process

A fair appraisal process should have one professional development goal such as mastering a new technology, and one operations goal that helps move the company forward such as a sales goal. Lastly it should contain one area for improvement. Public speaking is a fear for some people. Overcoming that fear through practice would be an example of addressing a weak area. The first two goals should be the basis for measuring employee performance. The third should become one basis for reward. Rewards come in a lot of packages-a pay raise, promotion, paid training opportunities or a special trip. It can be anything that encourages and motivates a person to want to improve skills that add value in the workplace. The next two posts are related to this topic. The first is on healing after difficult interactions at work. The second is what character traits to look for in supervisors to prevent problems in the first place. Watch for our upcoming post on planning for disasters.

From Pain to Humane

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so we are using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. We have vastly different world views. A fifteen year relationship has afforded many opportunities to understand our similarities and differences. A good employee was hurting. The hurt had built up over a long period of time. She was targeted by her boss and she was not alone in that experience. It was eroding her coping. We talked about symptoms of hurt, but not the hurt itself. Last week that changed when the situation reached crisis proportions. Humane workplaces has been a theme on this blog. What was happening at work was not humane by any rational person’s standards, but what could I do? I used reflective listening, made affirming statements and stood by her through the pain. It did not require me to solve her problem. Indeed I couldn't. Nor was that my place. Through no effort on my part she found a healthy solution to bring the situation to light and get it resolved. What takes place at work matters? An unhealthy work environment can permeate all areas of life causing a person to lose perspective, and in fact to rob them of their joy. A humane work environment starts with respect, but it takes more than that. It takes building people up, and filling in for them so they can bring in the next big project. It means celebrating small successes and standing with co-workers when things aren’t going well. A healthy work place requires reciprocity. It allows co-workers the freedom to do what they do well, and to strengthen weaknesses not just in a non-threatening environment, but in a rich supportive setting where good work is rewarded. The next three posts are 1. Humane Work Appraisals 2. Three Healing Hurdles; and 3. Trait, Traitor or Treachery.

Raising Up A New Generation of Church Leaders Part 2

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so we are using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. Part 2 a continuation of “How to Create Sustainable, Repeatable, and Developmentally-based Leadership Training for the 21st century” This workshop session laid out developmental milestones that helped church leaders customize the content to suit their own needs through a class assignment. One Pastor commented “this should be required training. Another said, “The reason we don’t know how to develop others is that most of us were not developed”. Is your church ready to take the corrective actions? If so, Contact us at hamiltondarnallllc@gmail.com to schedule training in the Portland area. Grades 11-12 A two year experience in missions or evangelism under the supervision of a sponsor. A personal ministry in the community which may include other cross cultural short term missionary experiences in or out of the country. Activities: Travel, Bible Studies, supervision, guidance, group problem solving, team building and fun. ***use of applied technology and social media to support missions and evangelism. This would be a great age to teach students how to use technology to further the Great Commission, such as GPS mapping. Another class component might be building websites, and use of graphics training for marketing.

Raising Up A New Generation of Church Leaders Part 1

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so we are using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. This is from a training in 2011. The topic was “How to Create Sustainable, Repeatable, and Developmentally-based Leadership Training for the 21st century” Developmental steps were laid out to help church leaders raise up new leaders. Below are two examples from this training. Classroom participants were broken into groups and encouraged to build a developmentally appropriate project timeline for multiyear curricula suitable for their respective churches. They presented their class assignments to the group as part of the applied learning process. Is your church training up new church leaders? If not, it’s time to get things back on track. Contact us at hamiltondarnallllc@gmail.com to schedule training in the Portland area. Age 4-PreK Make books, shadow boxes, stories with felt or story boards, show and tell, group games, cultural awareness, group problem solving, music, art, dance, puppet shows, plays, social skills, math and science in the natural world, large motor skills. Activities: nature walks, trike-a-thons, outdoor games, pajama parties. This is one example of age appropriate developmental milestones. Milestones are important because they are the building blocks the build strong leaders. Part 2 demonstrates the impact of a sustainable, repeatable curricula that produces capable church leaders. Stay tuned.

Twelve Steps to Help Churches Prepare for a Disaster-part 3

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so we are using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. Part 1 in this series covered steps 1-4. Part 2 covered parts 5-8. This final post covers steps 9-12. If your church would like to know how to prepare, serve others or serve in a coordinated response contact us at hamiltondarnallllc@gmail.com to schedule training in the Portland area. 9. Have a safety officer or a resource sharing agreement with access to a safety officer to inform resources (volunteers) of any potential hazards, and procedures to prevent injury or illness including the proper use of personal protection equipment in compliance with OSHA or WISHA standards. 10. Have a public information officer (PIO) or a resource sharing agreement with access to a public information officer. The role of a PIO is to be the designated media spokesperson. There is no way to prepare for every conceivable disaster or event. 11. Offer encouragement, resources and accountability to help all church members to get out of debt and live mortgage free as soon as feasible, and to develop sufficient financial resilience to stay out of debt. 12. Build financial reserves at church to serve others more efficiently in the event of a disaster.

Twelve Steps to Help Churches Prepare for a Disaster-part 2

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so we are using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. The last post covered steps 1-4. Part 2 covers steps 5-8. If your church would like to know how to prepare, serve others or serve in a coordinated response contact us at hamiltondarnallllc@gmail.com to schedule training in the Portland area. 5. Consider whether to create resource sharing agreements to improve organizational resilience in a disaster. 6. Establish a succession of authority for a second and third resource (volunteer) to fill each management position in the event that the primary or secondary person is unable to serve. (FEMA’s Community Assistance Tool (CAT) Continuity Assistance for Non-Federal Entities). If your church is small, you may need to partner with other churches to accomplish this. 7. Establish a chain of command. Each volunteer reports to one supervisor. (FEMA IS 100b Introduction to the Incident Command System, 2010). 8. Establish and maintain span of control. The number of volunteers each supervisor can effectively manage ranges from three to seven. The optimal number is five. (FEMA IS 100b Introduction to the Incident Command System, 2010).

Twelve Steps to Help Churches Prepare for a Disaster-part 1

Blogger is still malfunctioning, so I am using HTML which causes some loss of formatting. The following information was copied and pasted from a comprehensive project last year. This project involved five months of research and writing and is specific to churches. If your church would like to know how to prepare, serve others or serve in a coordinated response contact us at hamiltondarnallllc@gmail.com to schedule training in the Portland area. Here are the first four of twelve steps. 1. Create a plan and define who has authority to activate the church’s disaster plan. 2. Have an alternate means of power if your primary power source fails. 3. Develop and maintain relationships with other faith-based groups, businesses, local non-profits, their local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Amateur Radio groups, American Red Cross, local and county emergency management personnel and emergency responders. 4. Invite outside groups to offer training for your community in your facility and to participate in training opportunities in the community. The next post will include steps 5-8.

Blogger is malfunctioning-stay tuned for our next seven posts

Mobile Response to Moore Oklahoma

The recent tornados in Moore Oklahoma provided churches the opportunity to do what they do best-shine, and shine they did. Once a disaster declaration was made, all kinds of church groups and nongovernmental organizations began to mobilize. Local church groups served as donation centers, housed volunteers, and those that lost homes or their homes were not safe to occupy. Mid America Bible College (MACU) was not directly affected, however 22 staff and students lost homes or they sustained serious damage. MACU became one of the staging areas for emergency responders. They fed responders, housed those in need as well as volunteers. They worked with local churches that participated in a coordinated response. One of our team members had been working on a disaster plan, and actually framed in a business continuty plan for a District office that supports about fifty churches in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This project was under the supervision of the national representative in Anderson, Indiana. When the Moore toradoes hit only two districts accross the United States had completed a disaster plan out of 29. The Ohio district was the first to mobilize a disaster response team and trailer. The church has long been involved in raising funds to help those affected by disaster. After a devastating tornado season in Indiana and the surrounding States, the national office realized that every district should have a disaster plan. There are times and situations when local resources are quickly overwhelmed. In these instances outside aid is needed to help with immediate needs after a disaster, then with long term recovery which is the longest and most expensive phase.

Did you know that only 1% of the faith community participates in disaster response? Yet churches and nongovernmental organizations coordinate their response under the umbrella of voluntary organizations active in disaster. Currenly there were 110 participating groups. When disaster strikes they bring resources to the bargaining table and work well together. This small number of organizations are responsible for 60% of long term recovery in the United States.

Getting the T railer Ready to Go

Is your church disaster ready? If not, why not? Even if your group does not participate in an organized response, by being more prepared it means voluntary emergency service workers can respond to others faster.



Ohio District-First Mobile Response Unit



Weekend Travels-So What Is Your Story?

Weekend travels took members of our team to the rural town of Amity, Oregon and surrounding towns, then forty miles to Siletz Bay on the Oregon coast. On the return trip we visited small towns from Forest Grove to Banks, Oregon.

This journey is part of our story. It begins in the mid-fifties living in a house built in 1901 on the outskirts of town. Back in those days the house was surrounded by fields. Going back to our beginnings helps fill in the gaps. Family stories are important. They help cement our identity and pass the legacy onto the next generation. The same is true of organizations and small businesses. By telling the story others can grasp the vision. Passing the legacy is done through succession planning. We’ve all come across farms or small businesses with third, fourth or fifth generation management. Succession cannot be left to chance. It requires carefully integrating key skills and eventually handing over the reigns.

Early memories of parents reading the newspaper on this front porch

Family home. Built in 1901 on the outskirts of Amity

Great little out building next to the house.

Nearby general store in Amity-great selection, great prices and great management

Grain Mill/Coop-a landmark in rural Amity

150 year old First Baptist Church is another landmark in Amity

This is the only Brigitine Monastery in the world. It is about 4 miles from Amity.

Approaching the Monastery

Inside the monastery

Art helps tell the story

Living the high life with mortgage free housing. Eagles on nest near Amity

We stopped to feed the ponies

Shetland Pony on the way to Siletz Bay. There was also a fruit stand.

God is our rock and our redeemer. This photo was taken at Siletz Bay.

Cooling off at Siletz Bay. The clam diggers were out filling their buckets.

We love God's creation. Trees remind us of His majesty.

This tree cluster was photographed in Gale's Creek at a historic church.

The colors were worth the photo

Mighty Oaks of Righteousness

We could do a lot with a good, solid  barn

The garden is adjacent to this local business. Great idea. Kudos.

Cooperation goes a long way. The community garden is adjacent to a local business. These partners make it possible. What could your business do to improve sustainability?

Cucumbers coming out of a shade cloth

Who says you need acreage to grow hops?

Move over. Squash territory. No yard debis allowed, only vegetable waste is composted here.

Amity and Yamhill County is wine growing country

Cozy spaces do not have to be elaborate. This space has a shade cloth over it.

Great library building in North Plains. The light hits it just right.