Hamilton Darnall, LLC recently partnered with a church in SE Portland to help launch a community food pantry. They intend to partner with Oregon Food Bank, which requires demonstrating operational sustainability.
Our role is to help engage community partners, identify funding opportunities and help position them for funding.
Even before the first meeting they had received their first grant.
Small businesses have begun sending donations.
Within two days they managed to leverage volunteers to help collect food.
This is an exciting project and we are pleased they are stepping up to meet needs in this under served Portland neighborhood.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
From Trust to Treasure: How to Assess Character
Whether it is a boss, co-worker, tenant or community partnership, some level of trust is required. Without it there is no respect or reciprocity. Here are some simple guidelines to evaluate whether trust is worth the risk.
How severe was the problem? Recent or remote? Outside of the persons control? So prevalent it is not worth regarding? Extenuating circumstances? Clear pattern of improvement? A road back?
If trust is a starting point, then perhaps treasure is optimal. We invest in others with the hopes of a good outcome. Think of high cost of turn over in business. Training costs can be enormous.
Severe problems might include whether to hire someone with a pattern of violence. Everyone deserves a chance, but a person with this history might do well stocking shelves rather than working with the public.
What about if some details come out decades later? It might depend on a variety of factors. How reliable a track record does the person have? Have they made amends? Has the problem been repeated since?
How severe was the problem? Recent or remote? Outside of the persons control? So prevalent it is not worth regarding? Extenuating circumstances? Clear pattern of improvement? A road back?
If trust is a starting point, then perhaps treasure is optimal. We invest in others with the hopes of a good outcome. Think of high cost of turn over in business. Training costs can be enormous.
Severe problems might include whether to hire someone with a pattern of violence. Everyone deserves a chance, but a person with this history might do well stocking shelves rather than working with the public.
What about if some details come out decades later? It might depend on a variety of factors. How reliable a track record does the person have? Have they made amends? Has the problem been repeated since?
Forbidden Fruit: Improving Access
We share many interests. We are busy planting vegetable starts. Currently we have leeks, pak choi, gourmet lettuces, mesclun, edible pod peas, and more in addition to many types of herbs, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, currants, grapes. We also have delphinium and hollyhocks germinating. Gardening and eating fresh is a way of life for us-one we would like to pass on.
Historically one to three of us have participated in a plant swap. This year it is early May. This allows us to plant more diversely and minimize cost.
For gardeners forbidden fruit is tantamount to that which is just out of their reach.
One of today's projects is propagating lemon grass. Who can resist Asian food? Lemon grass plants from a nursery are costly, however lemon grass cuttings put on shoots in 1-2 weeks and can be planted outdoors in 3-4 weeks. A single stalk makes a good container planting, or plant 3 or more stalks in the garden. Lemon Grass does not tolerate cold temperatures below 45 degrees, so when we transplant it, we will need to provide protection from the cold. Lemon Grass multiplies rapidly, but is not invasive. It can be purchased inexpensively at an Asian grocery store. We paid $1. for bunches of four to five stalks. To use lemon grass cut back the outer green leaves. Crush the bulb and a most wonderful aroma fills the air. This is the valuable part of the plant.
Forbidden fruit has another meaning. Lack of access. Obesity, nutrition education, food security, buying fresh, locally sustainable food, and helping the poor become more self sufficient are important topics. As our company grows we hope to do our part by passing on over 200 years of combined gardening experience. In the interim we continue to network with others. Today this writer donated fresh parsley, and a large volume of culinary sage and rosemary to Meals on Wheels, a program that helps senior citizens with affordable access to nutritious meals, and decrease social isolation.
Historically one to three of us have participated in a plant swap. This year it is early May. This allows us to plant more diversely and minimize cost.
For gardeners forbidden fruit is tantamount to that which is just out of their reach.
One of today's projects is propagating lemon grass. Who can resist Asian food? Lemon grass plants from a nursery are costly, however lemon grass cuttings put on shoots in 1-2 weeks and can be planted outdoors in 3-4 weeks. A single stalk makes a good container planting, or plant 3 or more stalks in the garden. Lemon Grass does not tolerate cold temperatures below 45 degrees, so when we transplant it, we will need to provide protection from the cold. Lemon Grass multiplies rapidly, but is not invasive. It can be purchased inexpensively at an Asian grocery store. We paid $1. for bunches of four to five stalks. To use lemon grass cut back the outer green leaves. Crush the bulb and a most wonderful aroma fills the air. This is the valuable part of the plant.
Forbidden fruit has another meaning. Lack of access. Obesity, nutrition education, food security, buying fresh, locally sustainable food, and helping the poor become more self sufficient are important topics. As our company grows we hope to do our part by passing on over 200 years of combined gardening experience. In the interim we continue to network with others. Today this writer donated fresh parsley, and a large volume of culinary sage and rosemary to Meals on Wheels, a program that helps senior citizens with affordable access to nutritious meals, and decrease social isolation.
What Is Success?
Businesses and nonprofits have one thing in common. Both are run by people. By design we as people have limited time and resources. Therefore we must prioritize our time. For the last three months this writer has been learning the specifics of government contracting. It is no elusive, but it does require knowledge of practical elements in order to achieve success.
What is success? And who determines who or which business is successful. Often the determination is made by the numbers on the balance sheet. There are however other measures of success: fulfillment, number of people served, impact if the business or nonprofit ceased to exist.
Our business is about people, bringing value to those we serve and personal enjoyment. We come from a belief that if doing what you do well, or are called to do will in turn be profitable. Therefore, recent curricula was developed for a three part nonprofit course. Following that design we turned to our love of gardening, nature, people, education, and sustainability and designed a comprehensive course on gardening, soil building, handicap access that can be taught to groups, in a classroom, apartment, church or other nonprofit setting etc. and lastly, a community action course for churches that wish to become naturally engaged by serving on behalf of and along side community partners.
What is success? And who determines who or which business is successful. Often the determination is made by the numbers on the balance sheet. There are however other measures of success: fulfillment, number of people served, impact if the business or nonprofit ceased to exist.
Our business is about people, bringing value to those we serve and personal enjoyment. We come from a belief that if doing what you do well, or are called to do will in turn be profitable. Therefore, recent curricula was developed for a three part nonprofit course. Following that design we turned to our love of gardening, nature, people, education, and sustainability and designed a comprehensive course on gardening, soil building, handicap access that can be taught to groups, in a classroom, apartment, church or other nonprofit setting etc. and lastly, a community action course for churches that wish to become naturally engaged by serving on behalf of and along side community partners.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Helping Each Other Succeed
What does it matter if I invest time talking with business owners? It's not my business. Why should I care?
What a delight to talk with a young woman yesterday. She was demonstrating her product. "These are my grandmother's recipes" she said with pride. Little did she know I had spoken to another family member three weeks ago. I learned that they used to do all the manufacturing themselves, but their product has made it into several national grocery chains, so they have outsourced manufacturing locally which has created jobs. Again I listened, then asked "are you interested in a government contract"? At first she appeared disinterested. After all she doesn't know me or my motivation for asking this. Then I explained we had participated in the 2013 Governors Roadshow, and that GCAP is currently teaching a series on Federal contraction. I asked two more simple questions: are you certified as a Women Owned Business or as an Emerging Small Business. No, she said, I'm not. "Did you know the prison system is one of the largest purchasers of food?" Again, she said no. I hadn't even thought about it.
What started off as an aloof response, turned to a serious conversation. A five minute conversation may prove life changing for her. She thanked me profusely. And she is not alone. Our goal is to share information, create partnerships, build relationships and help others grow. In turn, we hope they will do the same for others.
What a delight to talk with a young woman yesterday. She was demonstrating her product. "These are my grandmother's recipes" she said with pride. Little did she know I had spoken to another family member three weeks ago. I learned that they used to do all the manufacturing themselves, but their product has made it into several national grocery chains, so they have outsourced manufacturing locally which has created jobs. Again I listened, then asked "are you interested in a government contract"? At first she appeared disinterested. After all she doesn't know me or my motivation for asking this. Then I explained we had participated in the 2013 Governors Roadshow, and that GCAP is currently teaching a series on Federal contraction. I asked two more simple questions: are you certified as a Women Owned Business or as an Emerging Small Business. No, she said, I'm not. "Did you know the prison system is one of the largest purchasers of food?" Again, she said no. I hadn't even thought about it.
What started off as an aloof response, turned to a serious conversation. A five minute conversation may prove life changing for her. She thanked me profusely. And she is not alone. Our goal is to share information, create partnerships, build relationships and help others grow. In turn, we hope they will do the same for others.
The HEART of Conversation
It has been said that we don't interact face to face anymore. Recently this writer walked into a dining situation with people who were unknown to us and shared a table. The conversation was so negative, it was unbearable, so I drew on a skill from college days and began focusing on exceptions. The gentleman on my left was droning on about the evils of technology. Quickly I interjected, our daughter is a novelist. She would be hard pressed to turn out novels quickly without the aid of a computer. For some people such as the disabled, technology has been life changing. Two chairs to the right, a man piped up "that's different". In other words that was a good use of technology. That tiny intervention turned the conversation positive for the rest of the hour.
This technique is useful. Rather than joining a gripe session, or chiming in on what is wrong, try changing the tone. Imagine the outcome if politicians, the faith community, co-workers, neighbors and families began the simple practice. Some might call it heart. Others may refer to it as the art of communication.
Whether the topic is world peace, neighborhood mediation, a healthy work place, safe neighborhood or peace in the family, it is imperative to build on whatever is good.
Here are a few basic principles:
Focus on what is positive
Believe in what is possible
Bring out the best in others
Set boundaries to quash negative behavior
Live by example
The art of communication is technique, theory or savvy. Heart is relational, compassionate, and respectful. Both aspects are necessary. Neither is sufficient in isolation. HEART is both necessary and sufficient.
This technique is useful. Rather than joining a gripe session, or chiming in on what is wrong, try changing the tone. Imagine the outcome if politicians, the faith community, co-workers, neighbors and families began the simple practice. Some might call it heart. Others may refer to it as the art of communication.
Whether the topic is world peace, neighborhood mediation, a healthy work place, safe neighborhood or peace in the family, it is imperative to build on whatever is good.
Here are a few basic principles:
Focus on what is positive
Believe in what is possible
Bring out the best in others
Set boundaries to quash negative behavior
Live by example
The art of communication is technique, theory or savvy. Heart is relational, compassionate, and respectful. Both aspects are necessary. Neither is sufficient in isolation. HEART is both necessary and sufficient.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Partnerships Can Change Lives
This may seen like an oxymoron. Yet, the subtle changes may not always be evident.
The following are two stellar examples.
One is a church that partners with an popular national chain grocery store that is known for its organic brands. Each week the store donates thousands of dollars in food. The church prepares a meal once a week. After lunch, participants have the option to select their own groceries without cost. Too many programs focus on handouts and may never know the outcome. This group shares a meal together every week. They develop relationships and take an interest in others'. Many grocery recipients are people who want to work or contribute, but they've hit a rough patch. That might be a temporary job loss, serious medical concern or other dilemma. While it is true that a few participants are just along for a free ride, others have used the savings to pay medical bills, save enough for an elementary school child to attend Summer Camp with peers, tough it out a few months until they have another paycheck. The real value is dignity and new found relationships. People genuinely care. It is a place where healing takes place. And it is a stable place where people can rebuild their lives without fear of judgment.
The other is a nonprofit that houses international students. The program is unique. The design is highly successful in that 98% of students return to serve as national leaders in their country of origin. This is in contrast to 50% nationwide. Partners include one or more colleges in Portland, but also overseas partners. This nonprofit also delivers high quality intensive training in Africa and Latin America to equip new leaders in their homeland.
What makes these partnerships unique? There are many food programs all over the country. Many persons are served efficiently and some with dignity. The unique factor is the caring relationships. The other is also unique. Why so? Again there are many housing arrangements for college students, even international students. However, again the design is the relational aspect. It is a place of peace and respect where international students don't just have a room, but work out relationship dynamics which gives them tremendous insight into the lives of others'. Like the U.S., the Middle East and New Zealand have diverse religious and ethnic populations, yet the Middle East has been at war for hundreds of years, and New Zealand has a high suicide rate, especially among teenagers. This seems to indicate that it takes more than a casual exposure to living with diverse populations. Indeed respect is intentional. It is built into the design, nurtured and refined. In the end, students emerge as whole people able to bring healing, help and hope as they return home.
Partnerships can be static or life changing.
The following are two stellar examples.
One is a church that partners with an popular national chain grocery store that is known for its organic brands. Each week the store donates thousands of dollars in food. The church prepares a meal once a week. After lunch, participants have the option to select their own groceries without cost. Too many programs focus on handouts and may never know the outcome. This group shares a meal together every week. They develop relationships and take an interest in others'. Many grocery recipients are people who want to work or contribute, but they've hit a rough patch. That might be a temporary job loss, serious medical concern or other dilemma. While it is true that a few participants are just along for a free ride, others have used the savings to pay medical bills, save enough for an elementary school child to attend Summer Camp with peers, tough it out a few months until they have another paycheck. The real value is dignity and new found relationships. People genuinely care. It is a place where healing takes place. And it is a stable place where people can rebuild their lives without fear of judgment.
The other is a nonprofit that houses international students. The program is unique. The design is highly successful in that 98% of students return to serve as national leaders in their country of origin. This is in contrast to 50% nationwide. Partners include one or more colleges in Portland, but also overseas partners. This nonprofit also delivers high quality intensive training in Africa and Latin America to equip new leaders in their homeland.
What makes these partnerships unique? There are many food programs all over the country. Many persons are served efficiently and some with dignity. The unique factor is the caring relationships. The other is also unique. Why so? Again there are many housing arrangements for college students, even international students. However, again the design is the relational aspect. It is a place of peace and respect where international students don't just have a room, but work out relationship dynamics which gives them tremendous insight into the lives of others'. Like the U.S., the Middle East and New Zealand have diverse religious and ethnic populations, yet the Middle East has been at war for hundreds of years, and New Zealand has a high suicide rate, especially among teenagers. This seems to indicate that it takes more than a casual exposure to living with diverse populations. Indeed respect is intentional. It is built into the design, nurtured and refined. In the end, students emerge as whole people able to bring healing, help and hope as they return home.
Partnerships can be static or life changing.
Winning Government Contracts: Can Small Businesses Really Compete?
Is your small business certified as an Emerging Small Business? There
are several special certifications any eligible small businesses in
Oregon can apply for. If you can't manage a government contract, it's possible you could work as a subcontractor for a prime contractor.
Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) partners with government and various organizations to help small businesses overcome barriers to compete for government contracts. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen. Perhaps you've heard about huge government contracts. Did you know there are also small ones? There is a knack to getting all this figured out. If you have more questions than answers that's okay. In some instances small business owners may not even know where to begin asking questions. That's okay too. The fact is we all have to start somewhere. The operative word is "start".
If terms like DUNS, NAICS and SAMS baffle you, GCAP offers free educational and technical assistance. To learn more about this free service visit http://gcap.org/
Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) partners with government and various organizations to help small businesses overcome barriers to compete for government contracts. It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen. Perhaps you've heard about huge government contracts. Did you know there are also small ones? There is a knack to getting all this figured out. If you have more questions than answers that's okay. In some instances small business owners may not even know where to begin asking questions. That's okay too. The fact is we all have to start somewhere. The operative word is "start".
If terms like DUNS, NAICS and SAMS baffle you, GCAP offers free educational and technical assistance. To learn more about this free service visit http://gcap.org/
Never Stop Going to School: Learn About Copyright, Patent and Copyright Laws from the Experts.
Do you have questions about copyright, patent or trademark laws and more. The Global Intellectual Property Academy offers seven short training modules and delivers high quality information that is pertinent to many small business owners. Although this information is not a substitute for sound legal advise, it's a great resource for a survey of topics, brushing up, or verifying information. Expert presenters help by identifying the section of law. Learn more at http://www.uspto.gov/ip/training/index.jsp
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
From Flash Cards to Project Manager
Recently I've been writing curricula for a three part nonprofit series. One of the earlier tasks was to explain to novices or experienced students how to set up a nonprofit organization using a variety of learning methods. First, I had a crude timeline, but wanted more visuals. Good visuals can save a
lot of time. So instead of a timeline, I used a pictoral flow sheet. Since my desire was to appeal to
a diverse group of students, using a wide variety of teaching methods, it occurred to me that a more
effective way to teach this concept would be to create old fashioned flash cards with picture and
a written decription, and have small groups of students interact, and manipulate the cards and report
to the larger group the rational for the proposed order. By each group reporting, students learn from
each other, and listen to others' perspective. It occurred to me that not all students may be familiar
with basic project management.
Another task in the first class is to select a nonprofit board using nine defined criteria. This requires them to interview other students and is a nonprofit version of speed dating. The objective is to match desired attributes to the needs of the organization. Once the small group has selected their "Board", and before they "hire" staff or recruit any "volunteers", the Board will need to wrestle with how to assign resources (match the right Board member to the right task, or find and manage outside resources to aid them in the process). With any project, there is a time limit, so one or more task are requires in order to proceed with another task so they can be put in the correct order. Different tasks require different amounts of time. Some tasks are significant enough that they could be another whole project. The goal for students is to learn basic project management skills, so they can integrate these skills and build on them for the rest of their life.
Learning is more than spitting out the right answer to pass a test. One hallmark of successful learning is that students becomes passionate about teaching others.
lot of time. So instead of a timeline, I used a pictoral flow sheet. Since my desire was to appeal to
a diverse group of students, using a wide variety of teaching methods, it occurred to me that a more
effective way to teach this concept would be to create old fashioned flash cards with picture and
a written decription, and have small groups of students interact, and manipulate the cards and report
to the larger group the rational for the proposed order. By each group reporting, students learn from
each other, and listen to others' perspective. It occurred to me that not all students may be familiar
with basic project management.
Another task in the first class is to select a nonprofit board using nine defined criteria. This requires them to interview other students and is a nonprofit version of speed dating. The objective is to match desired attributes to the needs of the organization. Once the small group has selected their "Board", and before they "hire" staff or recruit any "volunteers", the Board will need to wrestle with how to assign resources (match the right Board member to the right task, or find and manage outside resources to aid them in the process). With any project, there is a time limit, so one or more task are requires in order to proceed with another task so they can be put in the correct order. Different tasks require different amounts of time. Some tasks are significant enough that they could be another whole project. The goal for students is to learn basic project management skills, so they can integrate these skills and build on them for the rest of their life.
Learning is more than spitting out the right answer to pass a test. One hallmark of successful learning is that students becomes passionate about teaching others.
Monday, January 6, 2014
There Is No Such Thing as a Target Audience
When delivering an oral presentation, it is important to know your audience. Unless it is an audience of one, there is no such thing as a target audience. Depending on the subject matter gender, age, life experience which is affected by family of origin patterns, financial or social status (in terms of access to opportunity), occupation, education and training, perspective including a shared or similar historical context, whether English is the primary language, culture, ethnicity, geographical location or origins, religion or world view filters perception.
Polling an audience about interests, and learning motivation and style, provides an instructor the opportunity to tailor information to for greater impact. Break out groups improve learning for most students and gives the instructor the flexibility to hone in by observing the group process. By gleaning information through observation, an instructor can make corrections, scale down objectives to ensure students grasp key concepts or initiate a large group discussion to help students flesh out details by learning from each other.
Polling an audience about interests, and learning motivation and style, provides an instructor the opportunity to tailor information to for greater impact. Break out groups improve learning for most students and gives the instructor the flexibility to hone in by observing the group process. By gleaning information through observation, an instructor can make corrections, scale down objectives to ensure students grasp key concepts or initiate a large group discussion to help students flesh out details by learning from each other.
Training Employees and Volunteers
Training and developing employees or volunteers requires a consistent plan that takes learning styles into account. Good curricula includes a baseline to measure current knowledge of specific content, a list of learning objectives and multiple teaching methods.
Teaching methods may include shading boxes with borders, and colorful graphs, charts, maps or flow charts. Substituting pictures for verbiage speeds comprehension and may reduce volume. Kinetics (movement) and interactive learning (problem solving) helps learners integrate theory and practice. Each training module should measure the degree of student learning. Lastly, engage participants in improving training content, methods, delivery and learning outcomes.
Teaching methods may include shading boxes with borders, and colorful graphs, charts, maps or flow charts. Substituting pictures for verbiage speeds comprehension and may reduce volume. Kinetics (movement) and interactive learning (problem solving) helps learners integrate theory and practice. Each training module should measure the degree of student learning. Lastly, engage participants in improving training content, methods, delivery and learning outcomes.
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