The past 16 months have been pretty heavy, and many of us have been re-examining different aspects of our lives – from personal values to relationships, to work, to our own spirituality. Some foundations have been shaken, and others have withstood the test of time. I think there are very few of us who can honestly say we have not gone through some kind of change or transformation. 

Now, we have reached the summer of what I like to call “our great unburdening:” throwing off the shackles of the past year (and almost a half). We are leaving our homes, heading out on the highways and airways, socializing, eating at restaurants, going to ball games and concerts, etc. Almost a frenzy of release as we charge forward – and it is invigorating. Many of us are also returning to our offices, some more slowly or quickly than others.

In the nonprofit sector, the work that we are returning to – problems that existed pre-covid – have not disappeared, but they have morphed. They have evolved into issues that are more complex, requiring further examination and exploration. Many requiring a systems change approach.

I have been processing this from my own personal and work perspective, doing a lot of reading. As I have been doing this, I came across an article and a book caught my attention. Both were discussing systems change through the same lens: a spiritual lens.    

I had not necessarily thought of systems change from a spiritual perspective until I read the article written by Sheryl Petty, Ed,D. and Mark Leach, MPPM, DBA on Systems Change and Deep Equity. They describe how systems change must flow through the personal, interpersonal, institutional and societal needs for deep, transformational change. 

The book I picked up next, Emergent Strategies, by Adrienne Maree Brown, also applied a spiritual lens to systems change insisting we work collaboratively, dismiss the competitive edge, and look deep within ourselves to make meaningful connections across the sector. Only through this more holistic approach can we realize a different outcome than those we have been aspiring to previously.

As I consider systems change from these perspectives, I realize we must look at the systems we have created and how those systems will impact our world, and the people who live in it. How do the systems through which we function perpetuate existing problems – through history and habit? How can we reconcile the need to re-examine systems, without understanding our own personal values and beliefs? This impacts everything from the environment to childcare to housing to food insecurity to domestic violence to health care, to juvenile incarceration to racial inequity in all of the above. The list goes on and on. We, sadly, are all very familiar with these lists because they are the underbelly that COVID-19 laid bare.

The intersection of spirituality as we look at racial equity, social justice, and transformational change of the systems we have created is palpable; especially as we begin to emerge and engage in discussions in and of the communities we serve. I feel like this lens is constantly being turned inward and if we can look more closely, we will be better able to engage with each other and the communities where we live. Then – and only then – real change can begin to take place.

For now, and a bit into the future, the joyous frenzy of being “freed” may prevail. But, as we get back to work, I hope we all do so with a renewed perspective, and hopefully through a more spiritual lens.

What does it mean to transition to a “new normal.” As I speak with Executive Directors, board members, and other consultants across the state, a question that is top of mind is how to best transition and not lose any of the valuable things we have learned over the past year. In other words – how do we not throw the baby out with the bath water?

At D&A we’ve been giving that a lot of thought, too. What should be in person, what should be remote, and what will a hybrid model look like? Here’s what we have observed:

1) Meeting virtually works – not just from the perspective of having an alternative, they really work. People show up on time, are prepared for the meeting, and get the work done. The outputs from virtual meetings are really good – in most cases better than in-person meetings

2) Virtual meetings are more efficient and quicker – they just are

3) BUT – it seems like there are so many more meetings in the day. I keep wondering how my calendar filled up so fast – I used to drive everywhere and I wasn’t meeting while driving. Now I just have a lot more virtual meetings

4) Meeting virtually can be exhausting – maybe because there are so many of them or we are paying attention, meeting after meeting, after meeting, after meeting, after meeting

5) YES – you can get to know each other virtually, you can read body language – it’s just different. Many of the boards and committees I worked with were getting together for the first time – and are laughing and joking with each other. It’s just different – not better or worse

6) STILL – we cannot go all virtual. We miss the human interaction, the comradery, the connection you get from being in the same room at the same time. Can anyone say Kumbaya?

Going forward, we all need to figure out our own hybrid models. Here are some models we’re considering at D&A

• When we are doing strategic plans, we can do some of the work virtually and then gather for important time together
• Capital campaigns and cultivation receptions – definitely virtual. More people attend and more people get engaged early in the process.  And in the campaigns I’ve done during this pandemic, you reach your goal sooner
• Personal solicitations – it depends – some should be in person and some people will prefer virtual meetings
• Board trainings and governance work can be done virtually, making it easier for more people to attend. They can also do them in person if it is part of a retreat

We are all still finding our way out of this. We are all still trying to do good. I just think we should try to do good better.    

I am curious about the myriad of different ways that organizations are handling transition. None of them seem easy. After all, it isn’t really possible to rip off a mask and expect everything to return to normal.

Many nonprofits are taking this time and engaging in vigorous strategic planning discussions. New prospective clients are coming to us to help develop plans that will to bring them into a future filled with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. We are pleased to be invited on the journey. We also know that this is the exact time that we must question – everything. Take nothing for granted and don’t borrow or recreate the past. 

If you are taking this time to embark on a planning journey, here are ten things to bring with you into the process:

1) Create a vision that is aspirational and holds you to a higher standard

2) Re-think your purpose as an organization

3) Align your purpose with your mission in a single sentence

4) Get outside of yourself and into minds, hearts, and hopes of the people you serve

5) Community is your purpose – what are you going to do about it?

6) Data, data, data. Look at it from inside out and outside in and what is it really telling you?

7) Perspectives – be inclusive, open, and empathetic

8) Listen to voices of and from the community to inform the work you do

9) Become like the child who perpetually asks why, why, why

10) Embrace the uncertainty and go where it leads yOne final thought – your goals – aspirational and bold – should be cast in stone. But your strategies should be flexible enough to bend and adapt to changes ahead – and there will still be many more transitions to come.

“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change, all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” – Rebecca Solni

I love playing in the snow, but oh how I’ve missed sunbathing! This is my favorite time of the year. It makes me so happy to be able to play in the yard and sit by my mom’s feet while she’s out on the deck reading a book. I’m always much happier when my mom is happy, and I can feel that she, and all the visitors that come to our home, are much lighter and more positive.

I’ve been overhearing my mom and co-workers talking about a pandemic since last year. But lately, I’ve been hearing more about something called a “vaccine” that is making things better. I don’t like needles or the vet, but my mom seemed so relieved when she came home after her second visit to the doctor. I’m just recovering from Lyme Disease and had to go to the vet once, and that was more than enough for me…two times in one month seems like my worst nightmare, but I’m glad it made my mom feel better!

My mom still has lots of meetings in our home office, but she has gone out to meet with clients in-person a few times. She used to leave home to go to work and meet clients, and I hate being home alone. This past year has been so great because she has been home with me every day! I am glad that people are happier and that the “vaccine” keeps people healthy, but I selfishly don’t want my mom to go back to working the way she was before last year. Now that is it warmer and my mom and I can play outside together, I want her to stay home with me!